OCAD in a Nutshell

OCAD is really just an electronic form of tracing paper. The map is drawn over an image called a template. The template can be an aerial photograph, a USGS topo-map, or a plot from your GPS receiver. The mapper traces over the template using his mouse. The final map contains only what the mapper traced, not the template itself. 

The best source of information on OCAD is the help file. Hit the "F1" key during any function, to get help on that function. Select "help" from the menu, and browse the many functions, options, and menus that OCAD has to offer. If you purchase OCAD to get the manual, you will be disappointed; it is only a small booklet. Read the help file instead.

Getting Started

To get started with OCAD, draw a grid across your topo map or aerial photo. The grid lines should be straight north-south and east-west, and should be at a regular interval (about every 50 millimeters). Scan this template into the computer and save as a BMP file.

 In OCAD, select >File>New>Orienteering map. Set your screen grid to same size as the grid drawn on the template. Select >Options>Scales. Under "Coordinates", set either "paper coordinates" or "real world coordinates" to match the grid you drew earlier.

Under "Options", select "open template" and open your BMP file. With the template displayed on the screen, hit F9 to adjust the template grid to the screen grid. Click on matching points in the template and on screen. Click on the template first, then on the screen grid. Designate two or three pairs of matching points, then hit the "return" key (Enter key). OCAD will align the template with the grid on your screen.

Now you can start drawing a map!

How to use the Bezier curve. (and why)

Spend some time learning to use the Bezier curve tool. Maps drawn with this tool look smoother, neater, and more professional. The OCAD curve tool is slightly different from other drawing software's tools. The OCAD help file has instructions on using the curve tool. Use a blank page to play with this feature until you are familiar with it's use.  Almost any shape can be drawn with this curve. Use the curve tool for nearly all your drawing; use the freehand tool as little as possible!

Hints for the Demo Version

The demo version of OCAD-7 is fully functional except for a limit of 2000 drawn objects (symbols). Many useful maps can be drawn within this 2000-object limit. Here are some hints for avoiding the 2000 object limit; some of them from Mr. Steinegger himself.

1. Merge symbols i.e. contour lines. Select several segments of a contour and merge then into one continuous contour line.

2. Delete unused symbols. Features that you have drawn, then deleted, count toward the 2000 object limit.  Delete what you don't need, then use "optimize/repair" from the Extras menu.

3. Open your OCD file as a template. When you reach the 2000 object limit, save your map as an OCD file. Open this file as a template, then draw another 2000 objects. Print the map with the template visible to show all 4000 objects.

4. Two small maps, instead of one large map. Divide the area into two smaller sections.

For making a small map of a schoolyard or a park, the demo version works great. A full-sized, detailed orienteering map will require the registered version, but you're not that good yet.  

Exporting in OCAD

You might like to forward your map to others for review. Since everyone doesn't have OCAD, you can export your OCAD file to another format, such as gif, so you can share it via email. Here's how you use the export function: