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NexStorm version 1.2 or later features support for a new proprietary vector based map format
called the Composite Vector Map, or CVM for short. This text
presents more detailed information about the newly added CVM supporting
features in NexStorm and the map format itself.
What is a vector format map?
While raster based graphics (such as Windows bitmap images, BMP) are composed of pixels,
a vector based image is composed of paths.
The data file for a CVM vector map consists of X and Y coordinates indicating where the paths
start and end and the colors that border and in some cases fill the produced graphic shapes. Two types
of graphic objects are supported, they are polygon objects that have user configurable border
and fill colors and polyline objects that only consists of lines (since they do not have connecting end points).
Because vector graphics are coordinate based, the images can be scaled to virtually any size without
losing image quality. Raster based graphics, on the other hand, become increasingly blocky or pixelated with each higher
magnification factor since each pixel increases in size as the image is magnified.
Professional GIS (Geographic Information Systems) applications extensivly use various vector
data formats for map presentation. The Astrogenic CVM format was specifically designed for use in NexStorm and
as such it is adapted and optimized for this purpose. Contrary to most industry standard GIS file formats, the CVM
format contains multiple layers of data and is self contained in respect to color information, hence the name
"Composite Vector Map".
What benefits are there with having a CVM map?
With a CVM map installed you don't need to ever again worry about using another map
for NexStorm or related products. One CVM file contains all the data for the available
NexStorm view ranges for your specific location, from the maximum 1200 km/750 mi down to 25 km/16 mi view range.
You can select to view any of the available zoom levels without having to worry about map image quality loss.
The new "Map snapshot" feature in NexStorm lets you easily export different view
ranges (zooms levels) to arbitrarily sized BMP images so that you can use your map
in other applications such as StormVue.
Exported map 310x310 pixels, 1200km/750mi zoom
(map center near Houston, Texas)
Same map as above, exported size 310x310 pixels at 300km/188mi zoom
More over, NexStorm allows you to change the CVM map colors from within the application, to select which
of the available layers to hide or show and to adjust the center point in case it is required.
All of this is easily done by accessing the Vector map configuration dialog.
Vector map configuration dialog
Click here to order you CVM scalable vector map!
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