Printing Maps
Printing from an Internet page viewed on your browser can be
unpredictable. The result depends on the type of browser you have (IE, Netscape, etc.), version (IE4, IE5, IE6, etc.), the settings of your browser (page setup: portrait/landscape; margins; header & footer settings. Method of handling various file types: plug-in to browser/separate application. etc.). This page gives some advice. Use a method which works best in your environment. Paragraphs below cover:
Whatever method you use:
- print using "Photo" quality settings, or at least
"Quality" rather than "Speed" setting
- it is a good idea to set your default printer settings to "Print
Preview". This lets you see the result before wasting paper, ink and
time (I believe this is a good idea for all print jobs to overcome errors in
your choices - it is especially true for HTML internet pages being printed on
"Photo" quality settings!). For most systems it also allows you to
select to print (e.g.) just the first page, and not a page with nothing on it
but a webpage footer.
The table below
contains links to MS Word Documents, which in turn link to the maps. If you have MS
Word, or a word processor which can open word documents, and it is set as an
"plug-in" application to your browser, this is probably the best way to print a
map. N.B. - it is useful to have already downloaded the map to view first
(via "Map Index" or "All Maps" page), or the word document will show a blank
space where the map should be - and with some browsers the map will not
download.
Notes:
-
Maps will open in a new window. This helps to
avoid some of the printing problems associated
with browser settings and print settings.
- Recommend choose "Photo Enhance" setting for printer.
- If printing from MS Word, landscape will have been
automatically selected.
- The "Darker Version" is provided for those who find the normal version
prints too light. This version uses the Word "Format Picture"
feature.
- If you wish to try different settings, "Double click" on the first picture,
and a window opens which allows adjusting many features. Choose
"Picture" Tab, and change Brightness and/or Contrast to get what you
need. Then select each picture and hit F4 (Repeat edit) to make all
change the same. You will not be able to save it. If however there
is a demand for different settings, I could publish a few more - maybe
including an A3 version which edits each map to fit an A3 page for those with
an A3 printer?
If you open a single map from the "Map Index" page, the
format should print satisfactorily. To get best results you should
first:
- Focus should be in bottom frame, so that choosing Print will print just
that Window. [Note: If you open this page normally, focus will be
in bottom frame, but if for some reason focus is elsewhere, set focus on
bottom frame by clicking
or
anywhere in that frame which is not a link.]
- set your printer page layout to "Landscape"
- set the scale viewed to suit your settings for
margins, header and footer. A setting of about 44% will probably be
about right, but try a little higher or lower (or set the width of your window
to just perfect, and choose "Fit to Window").
- Choose to print just page 1 (to avoid the control box all by itself on
page 2)
The result should be similar to the Word Processor Format method, but needs
care.
The All Maps Page gives you the possibility to print a custom map covering
the area you require. Possible approach may be:
- set your screen resolution to as high a value as you
can. I suggest 1280x1024 if possible, but 1152x864 or 1024x768 may be
adequate.
- set your browser to "Full Screen" view
- set the scale viewed to cover as much map as you wish
to print
- "Print Screen" to clipboard, then paste this
into your favorite application. I find IrfanView very good for
viewing and printing many formats of files - free download available from
http://www.irfanview.com/
- select an area within the new picture in correct
proportion to fit your paper. Note that landscape or Portrait areas are
possible.
- trim the picture to just keep the selection.
- print using appropriate settings.
The above is not exhaustive. Experts may find "better" methods, or
anyone may find methods which better fit their computer configuration and/or
their needs.
