
ISOM, ISSOM, ISMTBOM, ISSkiOM symbols & colours

The release of ISOM 2017 symbol templates and colour tables by OCAD Inc has engendered a fair amount of discussion. Mostly to do with why the IOF Mapping Commission decided this or that. However, there have been some queries on the implementation by OCAD Inc.
A few of these resulted in changes that should appear in the next OCAD 12 service update. If you need to be on song now or if you use earlier versions of OCAD, then here are some of those changes. You can thank Michael Wood for his attention to detail and persistence in checking aspects of ISOM 2017 implementation and OCAD inc for their prompt responses.
Note that these changes may well apply to some or all of ISSOM, ISMTBOM, ISSkiOM.
107 Blue colour – earlier ISOMs
In OCAD’s ISOM 2000 colour table, this colour had the overprint ticked which causes it to appear green when overlaid on yellow. ISOM 2017 and other new O ISMs have overprint unticked for the equivalent Blue such as 14 Blue in ISOM 2017. If you have an earlier version of OCAD and are fairly new to orienteering mapping then it may be advisable to check that overprint is unticked for 107 Blue or whatever Blue was used for water line features if you are unsatisfied with how it looks in use.
19 Black colour, ISSOM
This black for passable walls and tramways will change to have overprint turned off. This means it will remain distinct regardless of the colour underneath.
Fence symbol – tags, old OCAD versions
In some much older OCAD versions, the fence symbol tags are the other way. So if converting maps from those older OCAD conversions, it is advisable to check whether the re-orientation of the tags affects clarity of the map in some situations.
301.004 symbol, ISOM 2017
This symbol which has a border will now have an accompanying symbol without border. Michael Wood found that there are occasions where a symbol without border is required;
- where the symbol adjoins an impassable marsh.
- when exporting part of a map, if the edge of a partial area cuts a lake, it creates an artificial border.
- converting lakes without border lines to lakes with border lines may end up with two border lines.
Symbol Set conversion tool
And a reminder about my recent post on converting to ISOM 2017.
Aiming off…

Build your own GPS receiver and data logger
Kyneo of Spain is the Open Navigation Platform for the GNSS of Things. Your youngster could join an open-source project building on the readily available Arduino system to develop you a portable GPS/Glonass GPS receiver, logger at a reasonable price.
OCAD mappers who produce recreation & tourism maps
Jon Sutcliffe has just released the new SutMap series of Snowy Mountain Maps. Printed on waterproof stock like all good outdoor maps, the range comprises Kosciuszko, Schlink Pass and Jajungal. For buskwalkers, mtb riders, skiers, trail runners …
Mark Roberts and Gillian Duncan of Organised Grime now have four outdoor recreation map books for visitors to SE Queensland. The maps are detailed for the use yet uncluttered and are accompanied by useful commentary. We will be taking three next time we visit the area;

- Where to Mountain Bike in South East Queensland. The original in its fifth edition with 74 pages of maps.
- Family Bushwalks in South East Queensland, 2nd edition.
- Family Rides in South East Queensland.
- Brisbane Valley Rail Trail Guide, comprising seven maps with their usual useful info for the 161 km trail.
Over the ditch, Jim Lewis of Jim’s Cartography Services produces recreation and tourism maps of his Taupo region plus specialised maps. And if you need a map graticule (romer in old terminology) then he is your guy.
Yours truly Ken Dowling through MapSport offers trail maps of the Wombat Forest (VIC) and environs for mtb riders, bushwalkers and trail runners. These are available free as downloadable PDF and just starting to be available on Avenza.
Free listing for OCAD licenced mappers
Flick me an email info at ocad.com.au with brief details of the mapping services and/or products you provide along with your OCAD licence #. If there is sufficient interest I will get back to you for more info to compile a listing on a new services and product page. You can have acquired your licence from me or direct from OCAD. No charge.