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1 ((First Draft)) IOF International Specification for Orienteering Maps ISOM 201x
Introduction It is the aim of the International Specification for Orienteering Maps (ISOM) to provide a map specification which can accommodate the many different types of terrain around the world that are suitable for orienteering. These specifications should be read in conjunction with the rules for International Orienteering Federation (IOF) orienteering events. For IOF events, deviations from the ISOM are permissible only with the sanction of the IOF. For other events such sanction must be given by the national federation. The specifications for other orienteering disciplines have much in common with the ISOM. The development of orienteering maps reflects the needs of the sport and the technology available to produce them. In the very early days, at the end of the 19th Century, state topographical maps at very small scales (e.g. 1:100.000) were often used. These gradually came at larger scales and additional detail was added. Aerial photographs and colour printing improved the accuracy and legibility of maps. This lead to the production of special purpose orienteering maps in the 1950's. In the early days of international orienteering, the contents and symbols of orienteering maps varied from place to place. To ensure fair international competitions, standardisation was necessary, and this triggered the creation of the ISOM. The first official version was published in 1969. In ISOM1972, green was introduced to show runability, and orienteering maps started to look very much like they do today. Fortunately, the ISOM was very well received, and most national federations have applied the ISOM also for maps at local events. ISOM now specifies about one hundred different symbols. Digital cartography entered the stage in the 1990's. Up to that time, maps had been drawn with pen and ink or scribed onto film. These were then copied to printing plates, one for each colour, from which the maps were printed. Digital cartography has enabled greater precision in drawing and easier modification of maps. Unfortunately, it has also helped mappers overload maps with too much detail. Other technological developments have also influencing orienteering mapping. Photogrammetry, and more recently airborne laser scanning (or LiDAR - light detection and ranging), has provided better base maps. Satellite navigation systems (GNSS) can be used to provide precise location during fieldwork. Printing technology is evolving, and digital four-colour printing has provided challenges for orienteering map printing. New types of paper (including waterproof paper) affect the printing process. The previous ISOM version was published in 2000. Since then there have been some technological developments, and there have also been some development in the event programme. These developments have been taken into consideration when revising the ISOM. However, the basic requirements have not changed. Map legibility is still the most important aspect of an orienteering map. In the process of producing a readable map, generalisation is a keyword. This means that the mapper always must deal with selection, simplification, displacement and exaggeration. An unfortunate effect of the technological developments is that the art of generalisation has come out of focus. This must change. More accurate and detailed basemaps must not lead to maps overloaded with insignificant detail. Clever generalisation is necessary in order to ensure that maps are readable and suitable for orienteering competitions. The orienteering map is read while running fast through the terrain, and the perception capabilities of the human eye and brain have their limits.
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Conventions Several words are used to signify the requirements in this specification. • Must / Shall / Required mean that the definition is an absolute requirement. • Must not / Shall not mean that the definition is an absolute prohibition. • Should / Recommended mean that there may exist valid reasons in particular circumstances to ignore a particular item, but the full implications must be understood and carefully weighed before choosing a different course. • Should not / Not recommended mean that there may exist valid reasons in particular circumstances when the particular behavior is acceptable or even useful, but the full implications should be understood and the case carefully weighed before implementing any behavior described with this label. • May / Optional mean that an item is truly optional.
2 General Requirements
2.1 Orienteering and the map Orienteering is a sport in which the competitor (orienteer) completes a course of legs between control points in the shortest possible time, by navigating aided only by map and compass. As in all forms of sport, it is necessary to ensure that the conditions of competition are the same for all competitors. From the competitors' point of view, a legible and accurate map is necessary for a qualfied choice of route, and it enables them to navigate along the route chosen to suit their navigational skills and physical abilities. However, skill in route choice and map reading loses all meaning if the map is not a good representation of the ground - if it is of poor legibility, inaccurate, out-of-date. In the ideal case no competitor should gain an advantage or suffer a disadvantage because of faults on the map. For an international event, the map must be up-to-date in all parts which could affect the end result of the competition. If it is not up-to-date it must be improved. The steepness, elevation and shape of the land forms is essential information, and is shown using contours. Identifying anything which bars progress is crucial to the orienteer: cliffs, water, dense thickets. The path and track network shows where the going and navigation is easiest. A detailed classification of the degrees of hindrance or good going helps the competitor to make the right decisions. The aim of the course planner is a course where the deciding factor in the results will be navigational skill. This can be achieved only if the map is clear and legible under competition conditions and sufficiently accurate, complete and reliable. Controls are important building blocks of a course. Choice of sites, placing of the markers, checking their positions, and locating controls in competition, all put definite demands on the map. The better the map the course planner has, the greater the chance he has of setting good, fair courses, whether for the elite or for the novice. For the mapper, the task is knowing which features to map and how to represent them. A continuing involvement in the sport is important for a basic understanding of the requirements for the orienteering map: its content, the need for accuracy, the level of detail and above all the need for legibility.
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2.1 Orienteering and the map (ISOM2000 text) Orienteering is a sport in which the orienteer completes a course of control points in the shortest possible time, aided only by map and compass. As in all forms of sport, it is necessary to ensure that the conditions of competition are the same for all competitors. The more accurate the map, the better this can be done, and the greater the opportunity for the course planner to set a good and fair course. From the competitors' point of view, an accurate and legible map is a reliable guide for choice of route, and it enables them to navigate along a route chosen to suit their navigational skill and physical ability. However, skill in route choice loses all meaning if the map is not a true picture of the ground.if it is inaccurate, out-of-date or of poor legibility. Anything which bars progress is essential information: cliffs, water, dense thickets. The path and track network shows where the going and navigation is easiest. A detailed classification of the degrees of hindrance or good going helps the competitor to make the right decisions. Orienteering is first of all to navigate by map reading. An accurate map is therefore necessary for a good and effective route choice. In the ideal case no competitor should gain an advantage or suffer a disadvantage because of faults on the map. The aim of the course planner is a course where the deciding factor in the results will be navigational skill. This can be achieved only if the map is sufficiently accurate, complete and reliable, and is also clear and legible under competition conditions. The better the map the course planner has, the greater the chance he has of setting good, fair courses, whether for the elite or for the novice. Controls are the most important building blocks of a course. Choice of sites, placing of the markers, checking their positions, and locating controls in competition, all put definite demands on the map. The map must give a complete, accurate and detailed picture of the terrain. For an international event, it must be up-to-date in all parts which could affect the end result of the competition. If it is not up-to-date it must be improved. For the mapper, the task is knowing which features to map and how to represent them. A continuing involvement in the sport is important for a basic understanding of the requirements for the orienteering map: its content, the need for accuracy, the level of detail and above all the need for legibility.
2.2 Content An orienteering map is a topographic map with a convenient size. It shall serve navigation through the terrain by representing a selection of prominent features, and it shall serve route choice by showing variations in runability (impact on speed) and visibility. The map shall contain sufficient information for the competing orienteer while at the same time being readable at running speed and under varying weather and light conditions. This is accomplished by using a carefully designed set of symbols and colours, and by emphasising generalisation. Consistent use of colour is important to ease map reading: Blue is used for features that have to do with water. Yellow is used for open areas. Green is used for vegetation features. Brown is used for land forms. Purple is used for courses. Black and grey are used for everything else, including rock and cliffs, paths and roads, and most man made objects. The map shall only contain features which are obvious on the ground to a competitor at speed. It should show things which could influence map reading or route choice: land forms, rock features, ground surface, hindrance to progress through the vegetation (runability), main land uses, hydrography, settlements and individual buildings, the path and track network, other lines of communication and features useful from the point of view of navigation. However, the most important thing is to maintain the clarity and legibility of the map through skillful generalization. The shape of the ground is the most important aspects of an orienteering map. The correct use of contours (including index contours) to show a three dimensional picture of the ground shape and height difference cannot be overemphasized.
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An orienteer's speed and choice of route through the terrain is affected by many factors. Information on all of these factors must therefore be included on the map by classifying paths and tracks, by indicating whether marshes, water features, rock faces and vegetation are passable, and by showing the characteristics of the ground surface and the presence of dense vegetation and open areas. Clear boundaries between different types of ground surface and different types of vegetation provide valuable reference points for the map reader. It is important that the map shows these. The map must contain magnetic north lines that shall be parallel to the sides of the map. It may additionally contain some place names and peripheral text to help the competitor orientate the map to north. Such text shall be oriented to north. Text within the map shall be placed to avoid obscuring important features and the style of lettering should be simple. Arrowheads may be used to show magnetic north.
Runability The runability depends on the nature of the forest (density of trees/brushwood and undergrowth-bracken, brambles, nettles, marshes, stony ground etc). Runability is divided into 5 categories of speed. If speed through open runable forest is, for example, 4 min/km, the following ratios apply:
No Percentage Description Examples Approx. speed min/km
1 80-100% Normal running speed rough open land, forest faster than 5:00 min/km
2 60-80% Slow running stony ground, undergrowth, dense vegetation 5:00-6:40 min/km
3 40-60% Difficult to run = fast walking very stony ground, undergrowth, dense vegetation 6:40-10:00 min/km
4 1-40% Very difficult to run = walking / extremely stony ground, very dense vegetation 10:00 - 400:00 fight min/km
5 0% Impassable extremenly dense vegetation, extremely dense hedges, water body, not applicable high cliff
A combination of green and stony ground means that the runability will be worse than for each one of them in isolation. The steepness of the terrain also influences runability (the steeper the terrain, the less runable).
2.2 Content (ISOM2000 text) An orienteering map is a detailed topographic map. The map must contain the features which are obvious on the ground to a competitor at speed. It must show every feature which could influence map reading or route choice: land forms, rock features, ground surface, rate of progress through the vegetation (known in foot- as runnability), main land uses, hydrography, settlements and individual buildings, the path and track network, other lines of communication and features useful from the point of view of navigation. The shape of the ground is one of the most important aspects of an orienteering map. The correct use of contours to show a three dimensional picture of the ground shape and height difference cannot be overemphasized. The degree to which a feature is recognizable, the openness of the forest and runnability of the terrain should be taken into consideration at the survey stage. Boundaries between different types of ground surface provide valuable reference points for the map reader. It is important that the map shows these. An orienteer´ s speed and choice of route through the terrain is affected by many factors. Information on all of these factors must therefore be shown on the map by classifying paths and tracks, by indicating whether marshes, water features, rock faces and vegetation are passable, and by showing the characteristics of the ground surface and the
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presence of open areas. Clearly visible vegetation boundaries should also appear since they are useful for map reading. The map must show the features which are obvious on the ground and which are of value from the point of view of map reading. An attempt must be made when surveying to maintain the clarity and legibility of the map, i.e. the minimum dimensions designed for normal sight must not be forgotten when choosing the degree of generalization. The map must contain magnetic north lines and may additionally contain some place names and peripheral text to help the competitor to orientate the map to north. This text should be written from west to east. Text within the map should be placed to avoid obscuring important features and the style of lettering should be simple. The sides of the map should be parallel to the magnetic north lines. Arrowheads may be used to show magnetic north.
Map reading The cartographer must always take into consideration the special conditions for orienteering map reading. Firstly, running makes reading a map more difficult. Secondary, orienteering usually takes place in forests. The light in forests with their dense canopy of leaves is dimmed even at noontime. Therefore, it is obvious that legibility is of utmost importantance for orienteering maps. Minimum graphical dimensions need to be respected and unnecessary detail must be avoided.
Generalisation Good orienteering terrain contains a large number and a great variety of features. Those which are most essential for the runner in competition must be selected and presented on the orienteering map. To achieve this, in such a way that the map is legible and easy to interpret, generalization must be employed. There are two phases of generalization.selective generalization and graphic generalization. Selective generalization is the decision as to which details and features should be presented on the map. Two important considerations contribute to this decision.the importance of the feature from the runners' point of view and its influence on the legibility of the map. These two considerations will sometimes be incompatible, but the demand for legibility must never be relaxed in order to present an excess of small details and features on the map. Therefore it will be necessary at the survey stage to adopt minimum sizes for many types of detail. These minimum sizes may vary somewhat from one map to another according to the amount of detail in question. However, consistency is one of the most important qualities of the orienteering map. Graphic generalization can greatly affect the clarity of the map. Simplification, displacement and exaggeration are used to this end. Legibility requires that the size of symbols, line thicknesses and spacing between lines be based on the perception of normal sight in daylight. In devising symbols, all factors except the distance between neighbouring symbols have been considered. The size of the smallest feature which will appear on the map depends partly on the graphic qualities of the symbol (shape, format and colour) and partly on the position of neighbouring symbols. With immediately neighbouring features, which take up more space on the map than on the ground, it is essential that the correct relationships between these and other nearby features are also maintained. For orienteering maps, the shape of the terrain is the most important thing to communicate. Dangerous features, such as high cliffs, must be easy to see on the map. Anything that bars progress is essential information: long cliffs, water, dense thickets. The road, path and track network is important, since it shows where the going and navigation is easiest. Most point features are less importance than line and area features. Generalisation guidelines for orienteering maps are available in a separate document.
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2.4 Generalization and legibility (ISOM2000 text) Good orienteering terrain contains a large number and a great variety of features. Those which are most essential for the runner in competition must be selected and presented on the orienteering map. To achieve this, in such a way that the map is legible and easy to interpret, cartographic generalization must be employed. There are two phases of generalization.selective generalization and graphic generalization. Selective generalization is the decision as to which details and features should be presented on the map. Two important considerations contribute to this decision.the importance of the feature from the runners' point of view and its influence on the legibility of the map. These two considerations will sometimes be incompatible, but the demand for legibility must never be relaxed in order to present an excess of small details and features on the map. Therefore it will be necessary at the survey stage to adopt minimum sizes for many types of detail. These minimum sizes may vary somewhat from one map to another according to the amount of detail in question. However, consistency is one of the most important qualities of the orienteering map. Graphic generalization can greatly affect the clarity of the map. Simplification, displacement and exaggeration are used to this end. Legibility requires that the size of symbols, line thicknesses and spacing between lines be based on the perception of normal sight in daylight. In devising symbols, all factors except the distance between neighbouring symbols are considered. The size of the smallest feature which will appear on the map depends partly on the graphic qualities of the symbol (shape, format and colour) and partly on the position of neighbouring symbols. With immediately neighbouring features, which take up more space on the map than on the ground, it is essential that the correct relationships between these and other nearby features are also maintained.
Accuracy The general rule should be that competitors shall not perceive any inaccuracy in the map. The accuracy of the map as a whole depends upon the accuracy of measurement (position, height and shape) and the accuracy of drawing. Accuracy of position on an orienteering map must be consistent with that obtained by compass and pacing. A feature must be positioned with sufficient accuracy to ensure that competitor using compass and pacing will perceive no discrepancy between map and ground. In general if the distance between neighbouring features deviates less than 5% this will satisfy accuracy requirements. Absolute height accuracy is of little significance on an orienteering map. On the other hand, it is important that the map shows as correctly as possible the relative height difference between neighbouring features. Accurate representation of shape is of great importance for the orienteer, because a correct, detailed and sometimes exaggerated picture of the land form is an essential precondition for map reading. However, the inclusion of a lot of small detail must not disguise the overall shapes. This means that form line usage must be limited to an absolute minimum (e.g. form lines with a shape that can be deduced from the neighbouring contours shall not appear on the map), and insignificant detail on contours must be removed. Drawing accuracy is of primary importance to any map user because it is closely connected with the reliability of the final map. Absolute accuracy is important if an orienteering map is to be used with positioning systems or together with geographical data sets from other sources. In such cases it must also be possible to transform the map to a well known geographical reference system. Readability is much more important than absolute accuracy. Relocation of map features is encouraged if it makes the map better readable.
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Georeferencing To georeference a map means to locate it in terms of map projections or/and coordinate systems. Georeferencing is useful when geographical data from different sources (e.g. orienteering map, digital elevation model, aerial photos, GPS positions) need to be combined. It is therefore strongly recommended to produce georeferenced orienteering maps. However, when printing the map, it shall first be rotated to make the magnetic north lines parallel to the edges of the map.
2.3 Accuracy (ISOM2000 text) The general rule should be that competitors shall not perceive any inaccuracy in the map. The accuracy of the map as a whole depends upon the accuracy of measurement (position, height and shape) and the accuracy of drawing. Accuracy of position on an orienteering map must be consistent with that obtained by compass and pacing. A feature must be positioned with sufficient accuracy to ensure that competitor using compass and pacing will perceive no discrepancy between map and ground. In general if the distance between neighbouring features deviates less than 5% this will satisfy accuracy requirements. Absolute height accuracy is of little significance on an orienteering map. On the other hand, it is important that the map shows as correctly as possible the relative height difference between neighbouring features. Accurate representation of shape is of great importance for the orienteer, because a correct, detailed and sometimes exaggerated picture of the land form is an essential precondition for map reading. However, the inclusion of a lot of small detail must not disguise the overall shapes. Drawing accuracy is of primary importance to any map user because it is closely connected with the reliability of the final map. Absolute accuracy is important if an orienteering map is to be used with positioning system or together with geographical data sets from other sources. In such cases it must also be possible to transform the map to a well known geographical reference system.
Colour vision deficiency Colour vision deficiency is the decreased ability to perceive differences between some colours that others can distinguish. That can effect orienteering map reading. 5-8% men and 0,5% women have some kind of colour related visual disorder. The most common disorder is deuteranomaly (green weak) - 5% M, 0,4% W. The other common disorder is protanomaly (red weak) - 1% M, 0,02% W. The other disorders are deuteranopy (green blind) - 1,2% M, 0,02% W and protanopy (red blind) - 1% M, 0,02% W, which are deuteranomaly and protanomaly in its extremes. Tritanomaly, tritanopy and monochromacy are very rare. Deuteranomaly and protanomaly are very related in terms of colours. Both have troubles in confusing red and green and vice versa. Orienteers have problems to read maps of the following colours: •• purple and green (controls in dark green area, very hard to see) •• yellow and green (hard to distinguish between open and forested thick areas) •• brown and green (problems with brown symbols in green areas) Greater clarity can be brought to maps by: •• choosing unambiguous colour combinations •• using alternative visual variables, and •• directly annotating features. An obvious strategy is to avoid colours that lie along colour confusion lines. As it would be difficult to avoid conflicting colours for protans, deutans and tritans simultaneously, red-green colour defective orienteers should be targeted. If the orienteer is made aware that a map caters for red-green colour vision defects through the use of
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unambiguous colours, then from a psychological point of view greater trust might ensue and hence, greater fluency in map reading. The use of fewer and more saturated colours would also minimise confusion by some colour defective orienteers. Smith suggests that only five to eight different colours can be reliably discerned under good conditions by normal observers. In addition, density differences should be greater than 15 per cent (for example, 30 per cent grey and 45 per cent grey) to minimise map-reading errors due to limitations in the discrimination of the eye. For red-green colour defective orienteers, blue, yellow, white, grey and black are readily discerned. (4) Yellow should be limited to two or three different tints, as differentiation between yellow tints is more difficult than for other colours and it is sometimes difficult to print dark saturated yellows. When choosing colours for the ISOM, the above has been considered. However, the chosen set of colours is a compromise. Further information: [4] Jenny Bernhard and Nathaniel Vaughn Kelso, 2007: Color Design for the Color Vision Impaired, Cartographic Perspectives, Number 2007, Issue 58, p. 61-67. Media:2007_JennyKelso_ColorDesign_lores.pdf
http:/ / colororacle. cartography. ch/
http:/ / www. vischeck. com/
Questions / Open issues
• Link to document Ales is working on (now in wiki): http:/ / iomaps. org/ index. php/ Color_vision_deficiency. Please add other CB orienteers. Ask federations for them.
• On trapping colours, technique which might be helpful. Any opinions on that? http:/ / iomaps. org/ index. php/ Trapping_colors
3 Map Specification
Scale The base scale for an orienteering map is 1:15'000. The scale 1:15'000 shall be used for all long distance competitions. For shorter competitions, enlarged maps with a scale of 1:10'000 may be used. The scale 1:10'000 is recommended for older age groups (age classes 45 and above) where reading fine lines and small symbols may cause problems due to deteriorating vision. The scale 1:10'000 is also recommended for the youngest age groups (12 years and below) where the capacity of reading complex maps is not fully developed. Generalization shall follow the requirements for the scale 1:15'000 in all cases. Terrain that cannot be legibly presented at a scale of 1:15'000 is not suitable for international events.
Map enlargement When a map is enlarged, all lines, symbols and screens shall be enlarged proportionally (for 1:10000 this means by 150%). •• Large maps are difficult to handle. Maps larger than A3 should be avoided. A map should not be larger than what is necessary for the orienteering competition. Large maps should be cut to fit the course (however, not smaller than A5). Information about scale, contour interval and north direction should be available also on cut maps. •• For the highest age classes in the WMOC, map scales larger than 1:15000 / 1:10000 may be used. The recommended map scale for the highest age classes is 1:5000. These maps shall also be strict enlargements. The competition rules regulates the use of map scales for the WMOC.
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Contour interval The ability to easily assess the steepness of the terrain is vital in orienteering. It is therefore very important that the contour interval for orienteering maps is standardised. The contour interval for orienteering maps is 5 meters. In flat terrain, where the slope is less than 5% (or the contours would be more than 7 mm apart) all over the area, 2.5 meter contours may be used. It is not permissible to use different contour intervals on the same map. The presence of a form line between contours makes the terrain appear nearly twice as steep. It is therefore very important that form lines are used sparingly. Form lines shall only be used to represent important land forms that can not be shown using contours. Instead of using form lines, contours should be shifted slightly up or down to better represent the important land forms.
Dimensions of map symbols No deviations from the dimensions given in this specification are permitted. It is, however, accepted that due to limitations in printing technology the final map symbol dimensions may vary up to +/-5%. All line widths and symbol dimensions must be kept strictly to their specified values. Certain minimum dimensions must also be observed. These are based on both printing technology and the need for legibility. Dimensions in this specification are given at the printed scale of 1:15'000.
On the ground (real world) minimum dimensions Features that are represented on an orienteering map shall be prominent and easily identifiable by the orienteer while running. Minimum on the ground dimensions are provided for many of the symbols in this specification, and these must be respected. Minimum dimensions do not mean that all features bigger than that need to be represented on the map. For complex terrain, it will often be necessary to operate with larger minimum dimensions to get a legible map. Prominent features with small terrain footprints must be exaggerated to make them identifiable on the map. When a feature is exaggerated on the map, neighbouring features may need to be displaced to ensure that correct relative positions are maintained.
Graphical minimum dimension The dimensions are given for the map scale 1:15'000. For larger map scales, the dimensions / numbers will be proportionally larger (1.5 times larger for 1:10000). The following are examples.
No Good Example Poor Example Description
1 The smallest gap between brown lines should be 0.15 mm However, gaps between contours must vary with the slope of the terrain. They may overlap in extremely steep slopes (normally there would be a cliff there).
2 The smallest gap between black lines shall be 0.15 mm
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3 The smallest gap between point features of the same colour shall be 0.1 mm
4 The smallest gap between two blue lines shall be 0.25 mm
5 The shortest dashed line shall have at least 2 dashes
6 The shortest dotted line shall be at least 2 dots
7 The smallest area enclosed by a dotted line shall be 1.5 mm in diameter and the dotted line shall contain at least 5 dots ((Contradiction, if diameter 1.5 mm = 9 dots!))
8 An area of full colour Blue, Green, Grey or Yellow shall be at least 0.7 mm by 0.7 mm (0.5 mm²)
9 An area of Black screen (regular or random) shall not be smaller than 0.7 mm by 0.7 mm (0.5 mm²)
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10 An area of Blue, Green, or Yellow screen (regular or random) shall not be smaller than 1 mm by 1 mm (1.0 mm²)
Fig. 2. Minimum graphical dimensions (examples) All features with a map footprint smaller than the dimensions above must be either exaggerated or omitted, depending on whether or not they are of significance to the orienteer.
Combination of screen symbols (ISOM2000 version!) (A similar illustration will be provided for the area symbols in the revised ISOM) Vegetation, open areas, marshes, stony groun, etc. are shown with different kinds of screens. The following table lists the permissible combinations of screens (currently the ISOM2000 version).
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Definitions of features to be mapped and specifications of map symbols are given in the following sections. Symbols are classified into 7 categories: •• Land forms (brown) •• Rock and boulders (black) •• Water and marsh (blue) •• Vegetation (green or yellow) •• Man-made features (mostly black) •• Technical symbols (black or blue) •• Course symbols (purple) Dimensions are specified at the base scale 1:15000, with numbers for 1:10000 in parenthesis (always 150%!). All drawings are at doulbe scale (1:7500) for clarity only. Notation for the illustrations: •• gap or infill between two lines •• distance from centre to centre or length of line •• diameter •• symbol is orientated to north Most of the symbols in this specification shall be orientated to north. That a symbol is to be orientated to north is indicated with an arrow pointing upward beside the symbol. When a symbol shall be orientated to north, it means that it shall be orientated to magnetic north and hence relative to the edges of the paper. Detailed graphical definitions for some of the symbols is provided in the section Precise definitions of symbols.
Graphical minimum dimensions There has to be minimum dimensions for line and area symbols on a map. These are termed graphical minimum dimensions. The footprint of a symbol is the area the symbol would cover if it was projected onto the terrain. For a line symbol, the graphical minimum dimension concerns its length on the map. If a line is too short on the map, it ceases to look like a line, and can be mistaken for a point symbol. Also, styled line symbols must not be made so short that the symbol becomes unrecognisable. If there is room on the map and the line feature is prominent and significant, it could be mapped even if it is shorter than the footprint of the minimum size line. However, it must be exaggerated in size on the map to meet the graphical minimum length. For an area symbol, the graphical minimum dimension concerns the area covered by the symbol on the map. If the area is too small, it will be difficult to differentiate it from point symbols, it becomes noise to the map user, or the structure of the symbol will become unrecognisable. If there is room on the map and the area feature is prominent and significant, it can be mapped even if it is smaller than the footprint of the minimum size area. However, it must be exaggerated to meet the minimum graphical dimensions.
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The shape of land is shown by means of very detailed contours, aided by special symbols for small knolls, depressions, etc. This is complemented in black by symbols for rock and cliffs. Orienteering terrain is normally best represented with a 5 m contour interval. Excessive use of form lines should be avoided as this will complicate the map and give a wrong impression of height differences. If the representation of an area needs a large number of form lines, a 2.5 meter contour interval provides a more legible alternative. The relative height difference between neighbouring features must be represented on the map as accurately as possible. Absolute height accuracy is of less importance. It is permissible to alter the height of a contour slightly if this will improve the representation of land forms. This deviation should not exceed 25% of the contour interval and attention must be paid to neighbouring features. 101 Contour 102 Index contour 103 Form line (((new / alternative graphical implementations for consideration))) 104 Slope line 105 Contour value ((moved to 102 Index contour)) 106 Earth bank 107 Earth wall (((new graphical implementation for consideration))) 108 Ruined earth wall (((new graphical implementation for consideration))) 109 Erosion gully (((stricter bounds on graphical implementation suggested))) 110 Small erosion gully (((suggested to reduce the distance between the dots))) 111 Knoll ((eliminated)) 112 Small knoll 113 Small elongated knoll 114 Depression ((eliminated)) 115 Small depression 116 Pit 117 Broken ground (((changed to fixed density))) 119 Very broken ground (((new))) 118 Special prominent land form feature (((new symbol suggested)))
Comments Some symbols have been eliminated (application of other symbols). It is suggested to reduce the size of some of the point symbols slightly. It is suggested to introduce fixed densities for broken ground, in order to stop the current misuse of the broken ground symbol (mapping of very small point features).
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Definition A line joining points of equal height. The standard vertical interval between contours is 5 metres.
Old ISOM2000 text A line joining points of equal height. The standard vertical interval between contours is 5 metres.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension mm Description Changes (from ISOM2000)
F101 0.14 contour line none
Application Contour lines are the most important elements for representating the terrain and are used for all landforms. The following must be considered: •• An individual contour line does not state much. Several adjacent contour lines show form and structure. •• Relationships between adjacent contour lines are important. •• Small details on contours should be smoothed because they tend to hide the main features of the terrain. •• Prominent features like depressions, spurs, earth banks and terraces may have to be exaggerated in order to emphasize them. The relative height difference between neighbouring features must be represented on the map as accurately as possible. However, absolute height accuracy is of less importance. It is permissible to alter the height of a contour slightly, if this will improve the representation of a feature. This deviation should not exceed 25% of the contour interval and attention must be paid to neighbouring features. To emphasize the three-dimensional effect of the contour line image, contour lines shall be represented as continuous lines through all symbols, also buildings (526.1) and open buildings (526.2). However, contour lines shall be spaced out for better legibility, if they touch the following symbols: earth wall (108.1), small knoll (112), elongated knoll (113), small depression (115), pit (116) and xxx (529.1). Form lines (103) can be used to differentiate flat knolls from more distinct knolls. Contours lines calculated out of airborne laser data or digital terrain models (DEM) often contain too much detail and must be generalised according to the principles described above.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 14/133 101 Contour 3
Minimum graphical dimensions •• The diameter of a contour knoll must exceed 0.7 mm (footprint 10 m). Smaller, prominent knolls can be represented using small knoll (110) or elongated knoll (111), or they can be exaggerated to satisfy the minimum dimension. •• To accomodate a slope line, the diameter of a contour depression must exceed 0.8 mm (footprint 12 m). Smalle, prominent depressions can be represented using small depression (115) or pit (116), or they can be exaggerated to satisfy the minimum dimension. •• The smallest bend in a contour line is 0.25 mm from centre to centre of the line (footprint 4 m) ((example will be added)) •• The mouth of a re-entrant, shoulder or a spur must exceed 0.5 mm (footprint 8 m)
Minimum depth or hight •• A contour knoll should have a minimum height of 1 meter compared to the surrounding terrain. •• A contour depression should have a minimum depth of 1 meter compared to the surrounding terrain.
102 Index contour
Definition Every fifth contour shall be drawn with a thicker line. This is an aid to the quick assessment of height difference and the overall shape of the terrain surface. It may have a hight value assigned.
Old ISOM 2000 text Every fifth contour shall be drawn with thicker line. This is an aid to the quick assessment of height difference and the overall shape of the terrain surface. Where an index contour coincides with an area of much detail, it may be shown with normal contour line.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension Description Changes (from ISOM2000)
F102 0.25mm Index contour line none
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 15/133 102 Index contour 4
Application •• For better legibility, an index contour can be represented as an ordinary contour line (101) in an area with much detail. •• Small knolls and depressions are normally not represented using index contours. •• The index value (label) shall be represented in a sans-serif font, like Arial, and not smaller than 1.5 mm. •• A contour value (label) should only be inserted in an index contour in places where other detail is not obscured. The label shall be oriented to that the top of the label is on the highest side of the contour.
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
1.1 Terrace A level area on a slope.
1.2 Spur A contour projection or nose rising from the surrounding ground..
1.3 Re-entrant A contour indentation; a valley; the opposite of a spur.
1.9 Hill A high point. Shown on the map with.
1.11 Saddle The low point between two higher points.
1.12 Depression A depression or hollow from which the ground rises on all sides. Shown on the map with contour lines..
Fig. 2: Control description for Index contour lines
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 16/133 103 Form line 5 103 Form line
Definition Form lines are used where more information must be given about the shape of the ground. They shall not be used as intermediate contours. They are used only where representation can not be made complete with symbols 101 (contour) or 102 (index contour). Only one form line may be used between neighbouring contours. Colour: brown.
Old ISOM 2000 text An intermediate contour line. Form lines are used where more information can be given about the shape of the ground. They are used only where representation is not possible with ordinary contours. Only one form line may be used between neighbouring contours.
Graphic implementation There are two issues with the ISOM2000 graphic implementation (dashed brown 0.14 mm line): •• Dashes are problematic for curved lines, in particular for sharp bends / corners. If a gap coincides with a sharp bend, the perceived continuity of the line will suffer. If gaps line up, for instance on winding lines or closed lines, it can cause unwanted visual effects. Some possible solutions are presented below: •• Full line, but thinner to distinguish it from ordinaray contours •• Extremely short dashes or tightly spaced dots •• Form lines give about the same visual impression as normal contours, adding very much to the perceived steepness of the terrain. Some possible solutions are presented below: •• Thinner line •• Paler colour •• Simulated paler colour by using dots or very short dashes
No Symbol Dimension Description Changes from ISOM 2000 [mm]
F103 0.14/1.25/0.25 Form line none
F103.1 0.14/0.25/0.15 Form line (very short new. Goal: simulate pale brown and reduce dash problems dashed line)
F103.2 Ø 0.14/0.15 Form line (dotted line) new. Toal: reduce the visual impact and eliminate dash problems by simulating pale brown (centre to centre distance: 75%: 0.15mm; 50%: 0.22mm)
F103.3 0.10 (or 0.07) Form line (thin line) new. Goal: reduce the visual impact and eliminate dash problems
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 17/133 103 Form line 6
F103.4 0.10/2.00/0.20 Form line (thin and new. Goal: reduce the visual impact and reduce dash problems long dashed line)
F103.5 0.14 Form line (lighter new. Goal: reduce the visual impact and eliminate dash problems. brown 75% brown) Problem: not convenient with a new colour
Only one, or perhaps two of the suggested symbols will make it into the ISOM.
Application •• Only one form line should be used between neighbouring contours (101/102). •• Excessive use of form lines must be avoided as this disturbs the pseudo three-dimensional effect of the contour line image and will complicate map reading. If the representation of an area needs a large number of form lines, a 2.5 meter contour interval provides a more legible alternative. It is not allowed to use different contour intervals on the same map.
Graphical minimum dimensions •• The minimum length of a form line is 4 mm (footprint 60 m in the terrain) •• The minimum diameter of a knoll or a depression must exceed 0.7 mm (footprint 10 m)
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
1.1 Terrace A level area on a slope.
1.2 Spur A contour projection or nose rising from the surrounding ground..
1.3 Re-entrant A contour indentation; a valley; the oppo-site of a spur.
1.9 Hill A high point. Shown on the map with.
1.11 Saddle The low point between two higher points.
1.12 Depression A depression or hollow from which the ground rises on all sides. Shown on the map with contour lines..
Fig. 2: Control description for form lines
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 18/133 103 Form line 7
Comments Dashed lines are problematic for complex shapes, because the openings between the dashes can end up at important places (bends), resulting in a cluttered and chaotic map. Drawing with dashed lines requires a lot of skill and time.
104 Slope line
Definition A slope line emphasizes / clarifies the direction of slope.
Old ISOM 2000 text Slope lines may be drawn on the lower side of contour line, e.g. along the line of re-entrant or in a depression. They are used only where it is necessary to clarify the direction of slope.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F104 0.14/0.4 Slope line 1/10 mm shorter
Application •• Slope lines may be drawn on the lower side of a contour line, e.g. along the line of a re-entrant or in a depression. They are used only where it is necessary to clarify the direction of slope. •• The slope line starts at the center of the line. •• Should be placed in re-entrances and not on spurs.
Comments The tag has been slightly decreased in length to reduce its visual impact and space occupied (for depressions).
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 19/133 106 Earth bank 8 106 Earth bank
Definition An earth bank is an abrupt change in ground level which can be clearly distinguished from its surroundings, e.g. gravel or sand pits, road and railway cuttings or embankments.
Old ISOM 2000 text A steep earth bank is an abrupt change in ground level which can be clearly distinguished from its surroundings, e.g. gravel or sand pits, road and railway cuttings or embankments.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F106 0.18/0.5/0.5 Earth bank (ISOM 2000) none
0.18 Upper edge none
0.25 Upper edge very high earth bank none
0.18/0.4 minimum tag shorter tag (0.5->0.4)
0.18/0.25/0.2 Graphical minimum size
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 20/133 106 Earth bank 9
Application •• The tags represent the full extent of the earth bank. However, if two earth banks are close together, tags may be omitted. •• Impassable earth banks should be represented with the symbol impassable cliff (201). Large features should be represented with contours only, as contours better depict the real height or depth of features. •• A prominent dam or earth wall which is so narrow that it can not be represented with two parallel earth banks can be represented as earth wall (107). •• A prominent dyke or steep gully which is so narrow that it can not be represented with two parallel earth banks can be represented as erosion gully (109).
Graphical minimum dimensions The earth banks must exceed 0.6 mm in length (footprint 9 m). Short prominent earth banks may be exaggerated to the minimum length.
Minimum dimensions The earth banks should exceed 1.0 m in height.
Impact to runability Crossing an eart bank may disturb runability by scrambling or climbing
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
1.4 Earth bank An abrupt change in ground level which can clearly be distinguished from its surroundings.
1.5 Quarry Gravel, sand or stone working in flat or in-clined ground.
Fig. 2: Control description for earth bank
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 21/133 107 Earth wall 10 107 Earth wall
Definition Distinct earth wall.
Old ISOM 2000 text Distinct earth wall. Minimum height is 1 m.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F107 0.14/2.5/Ø0.4 Earth wall (ISOM 2000) none
F107.1 0.14/2.0/0.14/0.5 Earth wall dashes instead of dots (locical? - two collapsed earth banks...)
2.0 (length) Earth wall (minimum length)
One of F107 and F107.1 will be chosen for the ISOM.
Graphical minimum dimensions An earth wall shall exceed 2.0 mm in length (footprint 30.0 m). Shorter, prominent earth walls may be exaggerated to the minimum graphical dimension.
Minimum dimension An earth wall shall be at least 1.0 meter high.
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
1.6 Earth A narrow wall of earth projecting above the surrounding terrain; may be partially stone faced, usually man-made. Used wall with symbol 8.11 to indicate a ruined earth wall.
Fig. 1: Control description for earth wall
Comments An alternative graphical implementation is included for consideration. The logic behind it is that it can be viewed as two earth banks (the sides of an earth wall) collapsed into one.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 22/133 108 Ruined earth wall 11 108 Ruined earth wall
Definition A small or partly ruined earth wall shall be shown using a dashed line.
Old ISOM 2000 text A small or partly ruined earth wall shall be shown with a dashed line. Minimum height is 0.5 m.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000 .
F108 0.14/2.25/0.25/Ø Ruined earth wall none 0.4 (ISOM2000)
F108.1 0.14/1.75/0.25/0.5 Ruined earth wall dashes instead of dots (logical? - collapsed earth banks...)
One of F108 and F108.1 will be chosen for the ISOM.
Graphical minimum dimensions An small or partially ruined earth wall must exceed 3.5 mm in length (footprint 50 m). Shorter, prominent ruined earth walls must be exaggerated or represented as earth walls.
Minimum dimensions An small or partially ruined earth wall must be higher than 0.5 meters.
Corresponding symbol for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
1.6 Earth A narrow wall of earth projecting above the surrounding terrain; may be partially stone faced, usually man-made. Used wall with symbol 8.11 to indicate a ruined earth wall.
Fig. 2: Control description for earth wall
Comments An alternative graphical implementation is included for consideration. The logic behind it is that it can be viewed as two earth banks (the sides of an earth wall) collapsed into one.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 23/133 109 Erosion gully 12 109 Erosion gully
Definition An erosion gully or trench which is too small to be shown using earth banks (symbol 106) is shown by a single line.
Old ISOM 2000 text An erosion gully or trench which is too small to be shown by symbol 106 is shown by a single line.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F109 0.25 line width, 0.75 ends length, ends pointed Erosion gully (ISOM2000) none
1.6 (minimum dimension) Erosion gully (ISOM2000)
Graphical minimum dimensions An erosion gully must exceed 1.6 mm in length (footprint 24 m). Shorter, prominent erosion gullies may be exaggerated to the minimum graphical dimension.
Minimum dimensions An erosion gully must be deeper than 1.0 meter.
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
1.7 Erosion gully An erosion gully or trench, normally dry.
Fig. 2: Control description for earth wall
Comments It is suggested to add a fixed length for the ends of the symbol and a minimum length to make it easier to distinguish short erosion gullies and elongated knolls.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 24/133 110 Small erosion gully 13 110 Small erosion gully
Definition A small erosion gully, dry ditch or trench.
Old ISOM 2000 text A small erosion gully or trench.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F110 0.35/Ø 0.25 Small erosion gully (ISOM2000) dots closer (0.5->0.35)
Graphical minimum dimensions A small erosion gully must consist of at least two dots (exceed 0.75 mm in length - footprint 12 m).
Minimum dimensions A small erosion gully must be deeper than 0.5 meter.
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
1.8 Small erosion gully A small erosion gully or trench, normally dry.
Fig. 2: Control description for earth wall
Comments It is suggested to place the dots closer together to empasize that it is a linear feature that is represented. The suggested reduction in spacing may be a bit too large?
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 25/133 112 Small knoll 14 112 Small knoll
Definition A small obvious mound or rocky knoll which cannot be drawn to scale with a contour (diameter less than ca. 5 meters).
Old ISOM 2000 text A small obvious mound or rocky knoll which cannot be drawn to scale with a contour (diameter of mound less than ca. 5 m).
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F112 Ø 0.5 Small knoll (ISOM2000) none
Application The symbol shall not touch or overlap other brown symbols.
Minimum ground dimensions A knoll should be at least 1.0 m heigh (approximately waist height for an adult).
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
1.10 Knoll A small obvious mound. Used with symbol 8.6 to indicate a rocky knoll.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 26/133 113 Small elongated knoll 15 113 Small elongated knoll
Definition A small obvious elongated knoll which cannot be drawn to scale with a contour.
Old ISOM 2000 text A small obvious elongated knoll which cannot be drawn to scale with a contour (length less than 12 m and width less than 4 m).
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F113 Ø 0.8/0.4 Enlongated knoll (ISOM2000) none
Application Knolls larger than this must be shown by contours The symbol shall not be drawn in free form or such that two elongated knoll symbols overlap. The symbol shall not touch other brown symbols.
Minimum dimensions on ground An elongated knoll should be at least 1.0 m heigh. The knoll must be clearly elongated. Knolls that are longer than 12 m shall be represented using contour lines.
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
1.10 Knoll A small obvious mound. Used with symbol 8.6 to indicate a rocky knoll.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 27/133 115 Small depression 16 115 Small depression
Definition A small shallow depression or hollow without steep sides, that are too small to be shown by contours.
Old ISOM 2000 text Small shallow natural depressions and hollows (minimum diameter 2 m) which cannot be shown to scale by contours are represented by semicircle. Minimum depth from the surrounding ground should be 1 m.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F115 Ø 0.7/0.18 Small depression (ISOM2000) slightly smaller (0.8-0.7)
Application •• Location is the centre of gravity of the symbol, which is orientated to north. • Symbol Pit (116) is used for depressions / pits with steep sides.
Minimum dimensions on ground •• A small depression should be at least 1.0 m deep. •• The minimun diameter is 2.0 m
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
1.13 Small depression A small, shallow, natural depression or hollow from which the ground rises on all sides.
Fig. 2: Control description for small depression
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 28/133 116 Pit 17 116 Pit
Definition Pits and holes with distinct steep sides which cannot be shown to scale by symbol 106.
Old ISOM 2000 text Pits and holes with distinct steep sides which cannot be shown to scale by symbol 106 (minimum diameter 2 m)
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F116 Ø 0.8/0.18 Pit ((current implementation)) none
Application •• A pit larger than 5x5 meters should normally be drawn using the earth bank symbol. •• The symbol may not touch other brown symbols. •• Location is the centre of gravity of the symbol which is orientated to north. • Symbol Small depression (115) is used for depressions without steep sides.
Minimum dimensions A pit should be at least 1.0 meter deep and have a diameter of more than 2.0 meters.
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
1.13 Pit A pit or hole with distinct steep-sides. Usually man made. Used with symbol 8.6 to indicate a rocky pit.
Fig. 2: Control description for pit
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 29/133 117 Broken ground 18 117 Broken ground
Definition An area of pits and/or knolls which is too intricate to be shown in detail, or other types of rough and uneven ground that is clearly distinguishable, but does not affect runability.
Old ISOM 2000 text An area of pits or knolls which is too intricate to be shown in detail. The density of randomly placed dots may vary according to the detail on the ground. Colour: brown.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F117 Screen of semi-randomised dots, Ø 0.2, 4 dots / mm2 - maximum Broken fixed density of (centre-to-centre) neighbour distance 0.6, minimum neighbour distance 0.4 ground dots
Application •• This is an area symbol. •• The minimum number of dots is three. •• The maximum center to center distance between neighbouring dots is 0.55 mm. •• The minimum center to center distance between neighbouring dots is 0.5 mm. •• Contours shall not be cut in broken ground areas.
Graphical minimum dimension The minimum area covered by the symbol must exceed 0.7 mm by 0.7 mm (footprint 12 m by 12 m).
Impact to runability None
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
1.15 Broken Clearly disturbed ground with features too small or too numerous to be mapped individually; including animal ground earths.
Fig. 2: Control description for broken ground
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 30/133 117 Broken ground 19
Comments A fixed density of dots has been introduced to emphasize that this is an area symbol. There has been some misuse of this symbol for representing point features (e.g. very small mounds). Only one size of dots are suggested in order not to encourage representing very subtle differences in appearance.
119 Very broken ground
Definition An area of pits and/or knolls which is too intricate to be shown in detail, or other types of rough and uneven ground that is clearly distinguishable and affects runability.
Old ISOM 2000 text An area of pits or knolls which is too intricate to be shown in detail. The density of randomly placed dots may vary according to the detail on the ground. Colour: brown.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F119 Screen of semi-randomised dots, Ø 0.2, 10 dots / mm2 - maximum Broken ground, fixed density of (centre-to-centre) neighbour distance 0.4, minimum neighbour distance slow running dots 0.25
Application •• This is an area symbol. •• The minimum number of dots is three. •• The maximum center to center distance between neighbouring dots is 0.45 mm. •• The minimum center to center distance between neighbouring dots is 0.4 mm. •• Contours shall not be cut in broken ground areas.
Graphical minimum dimension The minimum area covered by the symbol must exceed 0.6 mm by 0.6 mm (footprint 9.0 m by 9.0 m).
Impact to runability Significant
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
1.15 Broken Clearly disturbed ground with features too small or too numerous to be mapped individually; including animal ground earths.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 31/133 119 Very broken ground 20
Fig. 2: Control description for broken ground
Comments A fixed density of dots has been introduced to emphasize that this is an area symbol. There has been some misuse of this symbol for representing point features (e.g. very small mounds). Only one size of dots are suggested in order not to encourage representing very subtle differences in appearance.
118 Special prominent land form feature
Definition This symbol can be used for special small, prominent land form features. The definition of the symbol must be given on the map.
Old ISOM 2000 text This symbol can be used for special small land form feature. The definition of the symbol must be given in the map legend.
Graphic implementation Symbol(s) to be decided.
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F118 0.18/0.7/0.7 Prominent land form feature (ISOM2000) slightly smaller (0.8->0.7)
F118.1 0.18/0.8 Prominent land form feature (open triangle) new shape
Application •• Location is the centre of gravity of the symbol, which is orientated to north. •• The symbol may not touch other brown symbols.
Minimum Dimensions in the terrain A special prominent land form feature must be very clearly distinguishable from its surroundings.
Corresponding symbols for the control description
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 32/133 118 Special prominent land form feature 21
No. Picto Name Description
1.16 Ant hill (termite The mound made by ants or termites. mound)
6.1 Special item If used, an explanation of its meaning must be supplied to competitors in the pre-race information.
5.19 Platform A clearly distinguishable small level (man made) area, normally on a slope. For instance the remains of a charcoal burning place.
Comments Slight decrease in size for the brown cross to decrease the visual impact of the symbol. It represents a prominent feature, but so do all the other ISOM symbols.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 33/133 Rock (black) 1 Rock (black)
Rock Rock is a special category of land form. The inclusion of rock gives useful information about danger and runnability, as well as providing features for map reading and control points. Rock is shown in black to distinguish it from other land form features. Care must be taken to make sure that rock features such as cliffs fit with the shape of the terrain. 201 Impassable cliff 202 Rock pillars/cliffs ((eliminated --> see 201)) 203 Passable cliff 204 Rocky pit or cave (note: changed from "rocky pit") 205 Cave (removed, see 204) 206 Boulder 207 Large boulder 209 Boulder cluster 208 Boulder field 217 Dense boulder field 211 Open sandy ground 212 Bare Rock 216 Trench (artificial) ((new)) 210 Stony ground ((redefined --> see 213-215)) 213 Stony ground: slow running 214 Stony ground: difficult to run 215 Stony ground: very difficult to run
Comments Some symbols have been eliminated (application of other symbols). It is suggested to reduce the size of some of the point symbols slightly. A new symbol is suggested for trench (could also end up among the man made features). To emphasize that stony ground is an area symbol, it has been turned into three symbols to show the runnability in rocky areas (is there a need for three densities, or can we do with two?). For the same reasons, the boulder field symbol has been turned into two symbols to show density (and runnability). The stony ground symbols could be combined with the boulder field symbols.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 34/133 201 Impassable cliff 2 201 Impassable cliff
Definition A cliff, rock pillar, quarry or earthbank that is so high and steep that it impossible to pass / climb or is dangerous.
Old ISOM 2000 text An impassable cliff, quarry or earth bank (see 106) is shown with 0.35 mm line and downward tags showing its full extent from the top line to the foot. For vertical rock faces the tags may be omitted if space is short, e.g. narrow passages between cliffs (the passage should be drawn with width of at least 0.3 mm) The tags may extend over an area symbol representing detail immediately below the rock face. When a rock face drops straight into water making it impossible to pass under the cliff along the water's edge, the bank line is omitted or the tags should clearly extend over the bank line. Colour: black.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension mm Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F201 0.35 / 0.5 / rounded line caps top line of impassable cliff rounded line caps
0.12/0.4 tag of impassable cliff (minimum shorter tags (0.5 in ISOM 2000) length)
F202 plane shape (minimum width rock pillar or massive impassable ISOM 202 0.35) cliff
0.8 Impassable cliff (min. length) minimum length increased due to rounded ends
Application •• If the direction of fall is not evident, tags should be added. •• For cliffs that are not vertical, tags shall be used to show the full horizontal extent. •• For rock pillars, the minimum width is 0.35 mm. •• The gap between two impassable cliffs must exceed 0.4 mm, • When an impassable cliff drops straight into water making it impossible to pass under the cliff along the water’s edge, the bank line is omitted or the tags should clearly extend over the bank line. •• A rock pillar must exceed 0.6 mm in diameter on the map, otherwise it shall be represented as large boulder.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 35/133 201 Impassable cliff 3
Graphical minimum dimensions An impassable cliff shall exceed 0.8 mm in length (footprint 12 m).
Minimum dimensions A high cliff should be more than 2.5 m heigh.
Impact to runability Crossing a high cliff is forbidden.
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
2.1 Cliff, Rock face A cliff or rock face. May be passable or impassable.
2.9 Narrow passage A gap between two cliffs or rock faces that face each other
Fig. 2: Control description for high cliff
Comments 201 and 202 show the same kind of features and have been combined. Minimum dimensions have been added to avoid misuse of the plane shape version. Rounded end caps are suggested, as cliffs very seldom have a distinct end. The minimum tag length has been slightly decreased to reduce the visual impact.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 36/133 203 Passable cliff 4 203 Passable cliff
Definition A low cliff.
Old ISOM 2000 text A small vertical rock face (minimum height 1 m) may be shown without tags. If the direction of fall of the rock face is not apparent from the contours or to improve legibility, short tags should be drawn in the direction of the fall. For passable rock faces shown without tags the ends of the line may be rounded to improve legibility. Colour: black.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension mm Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F203 0.25 / rounded line Passable cliff Rounded line cap caps
0.7 Minimum length Increased from 0.6 due to rounded ends
0.12/0.4 Tag width and minimum length (from centre of base Shorter tag (ISOM2000 0.5) line)
0.5 Spacing between the tags (centre to centre) none
Application •• If the direction of fall of the cliff is not apparent from the contours or to improve legibility, short tags may be drawn in the direction of the slope. •• For non-vertical cliffs, the tags should be drawn to show the full horizontal extent of the cliff. •• A narrow passage between two cliffs must be at least 0.25 mm. •• A low cliff shall interplay with the contour lines.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 37/133 203 Passable cliff 5
Graphical minimum dimensions A low cliff should be at least 0.7 mm long (footprint 10.5 m).
Minimum dimensions A low cliff should be at least 1 m high.
Impact to runability Crossing a low cliff is possible, but it will normally slow progress.
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
2.1 Cliff, Rock face A cliff or rock face. May be passable or impassable.
2.9 Narrow passage A gap between two cliffs or rock faces that face each other
Fig. 2: Control description for low cliff
Comments The version with 0.18 mm line width has been removed. It did not have any justification in ISOM2000.
204 Rocky pit or cave
Definition Rocky pits, holes, caves or mineshafts which may constitute a danger to the runner. Location is the centre of gravity of the symbol. The symbol shall be orientated to north, except for caves with a distinct vertical entrance, where the symbol should point up the slope.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension mm Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F204 0.16/0.7/0.8 Rocky pit
F204 0.16/0.7/0.8 Cave
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 38/133 204 Rocky pit or cave 6
Application Pits larger than 10 m in diameter should be shown represented using the cliff symbols (201, 203)
Minimum dimensions on ground A rocky pit should exceed a minimum of 1.0 m depth from the surrounding ground.
Impact to runability Crossing a rocky pit may not be possible, and it may constitute a danger to competitors.
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
1.14 Pit A pit or hole with distinct steep-sides. Usually man made. Used with symbol 8.6 to indicate a rocky pit.
2.3 Cave
Fig. 1: Control description for rocky pit
Comments Rocky pit and cave are so similiart that we suggest to combine them.
206 Boulder
Definition A distinct boulder (minimum heigtt 1 m), which should be immediately identifiable on the ground.
Old ISOM 2000 text A small distinct boulder (minimum height 1 m). Every boulder marked on the map should be immediately identifiable on the ground. To be able to show the distinction between boulders with significant difference in size it is permitted to enlarge this symbol by 20 % (diameter 0.5 mm). Colour: black.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F206 Ø 0.4/(Ø 0.5) Single boulder none
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 39/133 206 Boulder 7
Application •• A boulder shall be immediately identifiable on the ground, otherwise it must be omitted or represented as a part of a boulder field. •• To be able to show the distinction between neighouring (closer than 30 meters apart) boulders with significant difference in size, it is permitted to enlarge this symbol by 20% (diameter 0.5 mm).
Minimum dimensions on ground A boulder should have a height that exceeds 1 m above the surrounding ground.
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
2.4 Boulder A prominent free-standing block of rock or stone.
207 Large boulder
Definition A particularly large and distinct boulder..
Old ISOM 2000 text A particularly large and distinct boulder. For gigantic boulders symbol 202 should be used. Colour: black.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F207 Ø 0.6 Large single boulder none
Application For gigantic boulders symbol 201 should be used.
Minimum dimensions on ground A large boulder should be higher than 2 m above the surrounding ground.
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
2.4 Boulder A prominent free-standing block of rock or stone.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 40/133 209 Boulder cluster 8 209 Boulder cluster
Definition A distinct group of boulders so closely clustered together that they cannot be marked individually.
Old ISOM 2000 text A small distinct group of boulders so closely clustered together that they cannot be marked individually. The symbol is an equilateral triangle orientated to the north. To be able to show the distinction between boulder clusters with significant difference in size it is permitted to enlarge this symbol by 25% (1.0 mm). Colour: black.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F209 0.8/0.8/0.8 boulder cluster none
Application •• A boulder cluster shall be easily identifiable as a group of boulders on ground. •• The symbol is orientated to north. •• To be able to show the distinction between neighouring (maximum 40 meters apart) boulder clusters with significant difference in size it is permitted to enlarge this symbol by 20% (0.96 mm).
Minimum dimensions on ground Each boulder should be higher than 1 meter.
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
2.6 Boulder cluster A small distinct group of boulders so closely clustered together that they cannot be individually mapped.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 41/133 208 Boulder field 9 208 Boulder field
Definition An area which is covered with so many scattered blocks of stone that they cannot be marked individually is shown with randomly orientated solid triangles with sides of ratio 8:6:5. A minimum of two triangles should be used. One triangle may be used when it is placed directly below a cliff symbol. Colour: black.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Density (1:15000) Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F208 0.8/0.6/0.5 1 triangle / mm2 Boulder field Introduced fixed density
Minimum dimensions on ground The area must exceed 1.4 mm by 1.4 mm (footprint 20 m by 20 m).
Impact to runability None
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
2.5 Boulder field
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 42/133 217 Dense boulder field 10 217 Dense boulder field
Definition An area which is covered with so many blocks of stone that they cannot be marked individually, and that the going is affected is shown with randomly orientated solid triangles with sides of ratio 8:6:5. A minimum of two triangles shall be used. Colour: black.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Density (1:15000) Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F208 0.8/0.6/0.5 3 triangles / mm2 Dense boulder field Introduced fixed density
Minimum graphical dimensions The minimum area must exceed 1 mm by 1 mm (footprint 15 m by 15 m).
Impact to runability Significant to considerable.
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
2.5 Boulder field
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 43/133 211 Sandy ground 11 211 Sandy ground
Definition An area of soft sandy ground or gravel with no vegetation and where running is slow.
Old ISOM 2000 text An area of soft sandy ground or gravel with no vegetation and where running is slow. (401/402). Colour: black 12.5% (22 lines/cm) and yellow 50% (see 403).
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F211 Ø 0.16/0.45, black Open sandy ground dots slightly smaller (0.18->0.16)
Application •• Used for areas with a sandy surface that reduces runability.
Graphical minimum dimensions The minimum area is 1 mm by 1 mm (footprint 15 m by 15 m.
Corresponding symbols for the control description No corresponding control description symbols, but the following are related / relevant.
No. Picto Name Description
4.1 Open land An area with no trees. Grassland, a mead-ow or a field. Also heath or moorland.
8.8 Sandy Where the feature is in an area of sandy ground not indicated on the map; e.g. Spur, sandy.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 44/133 212 Bare Rock 12 212 Bare Rock
Definition A runnable area of rock without earth or vegetation should be shown as bare rock. An area of rock covered with grass, moss or other low vegetation should be shown as open land (401/402).
Old ISOM 2000 text A runnable area of rock without earth or vegetation is shown as bare rock. An area of rock covered with grass, moss or other low vegetation is shown as open land (401/402). Colour: black 30 % (60 lines/cm) or grey.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F212 Bare rock none
Application An area of rock covered with grass, moss or other low vegetation should be shown as open land (401/402).
Minimum graphical dimensions The minimum area must exceed 2mm by 2mm (footprint 15 m by 15 m).
Impact to runability Will normally provides good to very good runnability.
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
2.8 Bare rock A runnable area of rock with no earth or vegetation cover.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 45/133 216 Trench (artificial) 13 216 Trench (artificial)
Definition A trench is a landform of excavation or depression in the ground. Trenches are generally defined by being deeper than they are wide (as opposed to a wider gully), and by being narrow compared to their length (as opposed to a simple hole).
Old ISOM 2000 text None. A new symbol.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F216 0.10/0.10/0.10 Trench new
Minimum graphical dimensions A trench must be longer than 2 mm (footprint 15 m).
Minimum dimensions on the ground A trench must be deeper than 1 m.
Impact to runability Crossing a trench may disturb runability by scrambling, climbing or jumping over.
Corresponding symbols for the control description None for this new symbol.
Comments Deep and narrow trenches are not uncommon in places where there has been military activity (many places in Europe). They are virtually impossible to represent with the ISOM2000 symbol set.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 46/133 213 Stony ground: slow running 14 213 Stony ground: slow running
Definition Stony or rocky ground which affects going should be shown on the map. The dots should be randomly distributed. A minimum of three dots should be used. Colour: black.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Density Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F213 Ø 0.2 stochastic raster 4 / mm2 Stony ground: slow running ISOM 2000 / Ø (12%) 0.16-0.2
F213.1 2 Ø 0.2 regular raster 45 deg, 4 / mm Stony ground: slow running ISOM 2000 / Ø 0.5 (12%) 0.16-0.2
Ø 0.2 4 / mm2 Stony ground: slow running (minimum ISOM 2000 / Ø (12%) dimension) 0.16-0.2
Note: Only one of F213 and F213.1 will be in the ISOM.
Application The dots shall not be arranged to form a single line.
Minimum graphical dimensions 2 mm2, corresponding to an area of about 20 m by 20 m.
Impact to runability Slow running.
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
2.7 Stony ground An area covered with many small stones or rocks.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 47/133 214 Stony ground: difficult to run 15 214 Stony ground: difficult to run
Definition Stony or rocky ground which affects going should be shown on the map. The dots should be randomly distributed. A minimum of three dots should be used. Colour: black.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Density Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F214 Ø.2 stochastic pattern 11 / mm2 (35%) ISOM 0.16-0.20
F214.1 2 Ø.2 regular pattern 45 degrees, 0.3 11 / mm (35%) ISOM 0.16-0.20
Ø.2 (minimum dimension) 11 / mm2 (35%) ISOM 0.16-0.20
Note: Only one of F214 and F214.1 will make it into the ISOM.
Application The dots shall not be arranged to form a single line.
Graphical minimum dimensions 1mm x 1mm, corresponding to 15 m by 15 m on the ground.
Impact to runability Difficult to run.
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
2.7 Stony ground An area covered with many small stones or rocks.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 48/133 215 Stony ground: very difficult to run 16 215 Stony ground: very difficult to run
Definition Stony or rocky ground which affects going should be shown on the map. The dots should be randomly distributed. A minimum of three dots should be used. Colour: black.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Density Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F214 Ø.2 stochastic pattern 20 / mm2 (55%) ISOM 0.16-0.20
F214.1 2 Ø.2 regular pattern 45 degrees, 0.24 20 / mm (55%) ISOM 0.16-0.20
Ø.2 (minimum dimension) 20 / mm2 (55%) ISOM 0.16-0.20
Note: Only one of 214.1 and 214.3 will make it into the ISOM.
Application The dots shall not be arranged to form a single line.
Graphical minimum dimensions 0.7mm x 0.7mm, corresponding to 10 m by 10 m on the ground.
Impact to runability Very difficult to run.
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
2.7 Stony ground An area covered with many small stones or rocks.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 49/133 Water and marsh (blue) 1 Water and marsh (blue)
This group includes both open water and special types of vegetation caused by the presence of water (marsh). The classification is important because it indicates the degree of hindrance to the runner and provides features for map reading and control points. A black line around a water feature indicates that it shall not be crossed. In dry areas the features listed in this section may only contain water in some seasons. Waterbodies and marshes may affect runnability. Some waterbodies and marshes are not crossable without swimming, and since swimming abilities are not to be tested in an orienteering competition, crossing of such areas must be forbidden (for safety and fairness reasons). Some waterbodies are crossable without swimming, and may be mapped as such. This is most relevant for rivers and streams. Passing crossable waterbodies will generally slow down the competitor. Marshes may offer varying runnability. In some regions, marshes are very runnable, but most often they imply reduced runnability. Marsh symbols may be combined with symbols for openness (yellow) and runnability (green and yellow). 301 Uncrossable water body 302 Pond ((eliminated see 301)) 303 Waterhole ((eliminated see 301)) 304 Uncrossable river ((eliminated see 301) 305 Shallow water body 306 Crossable small water course ((eliminated see 305)) 307 Minor water channel Drainage ((moved see 315)) 309 Uncrossable marsh 310 Marsh 308 Narrow marsh 311 Indistinct marsh 312 Well / Fountain 313 Spring 314 Prominent water feature (((new symbol suggested)))
Comments Some symbols have been eliminated (application of other symbols). It is suggested to reduce the size of some of the point symbols slightly. Shallow water body is introduced, as in the ISSOM. The line symbols for passable water features are found as applications of shallow water body.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 50/133 301 Uncrossable water body 2 301 Uncrossable water body
Definition A body of water thay shall not be crossed.
Old ISOM 2000 text 301 Lake. Large area of water are shown with dot screen Small of water should be shown with full colour. A black bank line indicates that the feature can not be crossed. 304 Uncrossable river. An uncrossable river or canal is drawn with black bank lines. The bank lines are broken at a ford. Colour: blue 50% (60 lines/cm), black.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F301 plane shape with border line Uncrossable water body (uncrossable) none
plane shape with border line Uncrossabel water course (uncrossable) none
0.18 Border line of uncrossable water body none
min Ø 0.7 Uncrossable water body (minimum area) none
min 0.35 Uncrossable water course (minimum width) none
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 51/133 301 Uncrossable water body 3
Application •• The black bank line emphasizes that the feature shall not be crossed. •• Large areas of water may be shown with 70% colour. •• Small areas of water and water bodies with narrow places shall be shown with full colour.
Impact to runability Crossing an uncrossable water body is forbidden.
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
3.1 Lake A large area of water, normally uncrossable
3.2 Pond A large area of water, normally uncrossable
3.4 Watercourse A natural or artificial watercourse with either moving or standing water
Comments The ISOM symbols 301 Lake and 304 Uncrossable river (and partly 302 pond) have been combined to uncrossable waterbody. For fairness reasons, uncrossable waterbodies are forbidden to cross.
305 Shallow water body
Definition A shallow water body that can be crossed.
Old ISOM 2000 text 301 Lake. Large areas of water are shown with dot screen. Small areas of water should be shown with full colour. black bank line indicates that the feature cannot be crossed. Colour: blue 50% (60 lines/cm) black. 305 Crossable watercourse. A crossable watercourse, minimum wide. The width of watercourses over wide should be shown to scale. Colour: blue.
Graphic implementation
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 52/133 305 Shallow water body 4
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F305 plane shape with border line Shallow water body (crossable) new
plane shape with border line Shallow water course (crossable) new with border line
0.10 Border line of shallow water body new
F315 0.10/1.25/0.25 Border line of seasonal or periodic water new body
Ø 0.7 (area minimum dimension) Shallow water body new
0.35 (minimum total width with border Shallow water course new with border line line)
F305.1 0.25 Crossable watercourse none
F305.2 0.14 Small crossable watercourse none
F315.2 0.14/1.25/0.25 Minor / seasonal water course none
Application •• A seasonal or periodic water body may be represened using a dashed outline.
Impact to runability Crossing a shallow water body will normally reduce running speed.
Corresponding symbols for the control description
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 53/133 305 Shallow water body 5
No. Picto Name Description
3.1 Lake A large area of water
3.2 Pond A small area of water
3.4 River, Stream,Watercourse A natural or artificial watercourse
Comments The new symbol shallow waterbody adds a symbol for large crossable waterbodies, and also covers the ISOM symbols 305 crossable watercourse, 306 crossable small watercourse and 307 minor water channel (and partly 302 pond). It is also suggested to add a graphical implementation for seasonal waterbody (dashed outline, which collapses to 307 for narrow seasonal watercourses).
309 Uncrossable marsh
Definition A marsh which is uncrossable or dangerous for the runner. A black line surrounds the symbol.
Old ISOM 2000 text 309 Uncrossable marsh. A marsh which is uncrossable or dangerous for the runner. A black line surrounds the symbol. Colour: blue, black.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F309 0.25/0.5 (plane shape) Marsh none
Ø 0.8 (minimum dimension) Marsh new definition
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 54/133 309 Uncrossable marsh 6
Application •• Areas of open water within an uncrossable marsh should be mapped without a black boundary lines between the two symbols. •• The symbol may be combined with yellow (403 or 404) to show openness.
Impact to runability Crossing an uncrossable marsh is forbidden for safety and fairness reasons.
Corresponding symbols for the Control description
No. Picto Name Description
3.7 Marsh A permanently wet area with marsh vegetation.
3.8 Firm ground in marsh A non-marshy area within a marsh, or between two marshes.
Comments For fairness reasons, uncrossable marshes are forbidden to cross.
310 Marsh
Definition A crossable marsh, usually with a distinct edge.
Old ISOM 2000 text A crossable marsh, usually with a distinct edge. The symbol should be combined with vegetation symbols to show runnability and openness. Where a small marsh area should be combined with either 403/404 it is permitted to use 401/402 to improve legibility. Colour: blue.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F310 0.1/0.3 Marsh (plane shape) none
Two lines, length 0.5 mm Marsh, minimum size none
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 55/133 310 Marsh 7
Application The symbol shall be combined with other symbols to show runability and openness.
Minimum graphical dimensions 0.5 mm by 0.5 mm (footprint 7.5 m by 7.5 m).
Impact to runability Crossing a marsh may affect running speed.
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
3.7 Marsh A permanently wet area with marsh vegetation.
3.8 Firm ground in marsh A non-marshy area within a marsh, or between two marshes.
308 Narrow marsh
Definition A marsh or trickle of water which is too narrow (less than ca. 5 m wide) to be shown with the marsh symbol (310).
Old ISOM 2000 text A marsh or trickle of water which is too narrow to be shown with symbol 310 (less than ca. 5 m wide). Colour: blue.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F308 0.25/0.5 Narrow marsh none
Minimum graphical dimensions Minimum two dots.
Impact to runability Crossing narrow marsh may impact runability.
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
3.6 Narrow marsh A narrow marsh or trickle of water, too narrow to be shown on the map with the marsh symbol.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 56/133 311 Indistinct marsh 8 311 Indistinct marsh
Definition An indistinct or seasonal marsh or area of gradual transition from marsh to firm ground, which is crossable. The edge is generally indistinct and the vegetation similar to that of the surrounding ground.
Old ISOM 2000 text An indistinct or seasonal marsh or area of gradual transition from marsh to firm ground, which is crossable. The edge is generally indistinct and the vegetation similar to that of the surrounding ground. The symbol should be combined with vegetation symbols to show runnability and openness. Colour: blue.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F311 0.10/0.9/1.15/0.3 (plane shape) Indistinct marsh none
Ø 0.8 (area minimum dimesion) Indistinct marsh (minimum dimension) none
Application The symbol shall be combined with other symbols to show runability and openness.
Minimum graphical dimensions 0.8 mm by 0.8 mm (footprint 12 m by 12 m)
Impact to runability An indistinct marsh may impact runnability.
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
3.7 Marsh A permanently wet area with marsh vegetation.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 57/133 312 Well / Fountain 9 312 Well / Fountain
Definition A well or captive spring, which is clearly visible on the ground.
Old ISOM 2000 text 312 Well. Wells and captive springs, which are clearly visible on the ground. Colour: blue.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F312 0.18/0.7 Well or fountain slightly smaller (0.8->0.7)
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
3.9 Well A shaft containing water or a captive spring, clearly visible on the ground. Often with some form of man-made surround.
Comments Slight decrease in size for the symbol to decrease the visual impact of the symbol. It represents a prominent feature, but so do all the other ISOM symbols.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 58/133 313 Spring 10 313 Spring
Definition The source of water with a distinct outflow.
Old ISOM 2000 text The source of a stream with a distinct outflow. The symbol is orientated to open downstream. Colour: blue.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F313 0.18/0.7 Spring slightly smaller (0.8->0.7)
Application The symbol is orientated to open downstream.
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
3.10 Spring The source of a watercourse with a distinct outflow.
Comments Slight decrease in size for the symbol to decrease the visual impact of the symbol. It represents a prominent feature, but so do all the other ISOM symbols.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 59/133 314 Prominent water feature 11 314 Prominent water feature
Definition A prominent water feature. The definition of the symbols must always be given in the map legend. The symbols are oriented to north.
Old ISOM 2000 text 314 Special water feature. A special small water feature. The definition of the symbol must always be given in the map legend. Colour: blue.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F314 0.18 / 0.7 / 0.7 Prominent Water Feature (cross) slightly smaller (0.8->0.7)
F314.1 0.18 / 0.8 / 0.8 Prominent Water Feature (square) new
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
3.11 Water tank, Water trough A man made water container.
6.1 Special item If used, an explanation of its meaning must be supplied to competitors in the prerace information.
6.2 Special item If used, an explanation of its meaning must be supplied to competitors in the prerace information.
Comments Slight decrease in size for the symbol to decrease the visual impact of the symbol. It represents a prominent feature, but so do all the other ISOM symbols.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 60/133 Vegetation (green or yellow) 1 Vegetation (green or yellow)
The representation of vegetation is important to the orienteer because it affects runability and visibility and it also provides features for map reading.
Colour The basic principle is as follows: • white represents runnable forest • yellow represents open areas divided into several categories • green represents the density of the forest and undergrowth according to its runnability and is divided into several categories
Runnability The runnability depends on the nature of the forest (density of trees / brushwood and undergrowth - bracken, brambles, nettles, etc), but does not take into account marshes, stony ground, etc. which are shown by separate symbols. Runnability in forest is divided into 5 categories according to running speed. If speed through typical runnable forest is, for example, 4 min / km, the following ratios apply:
Type Runnability Approx. speed min/km
open forest 80-100% 4-5 min/km
slow running 60-80% 5-7 min/km
difficult to run 40-60% 7-10 min/km
very difficult to run 10-40% > 10 min/km
impassable 0%(-10%)
401 Open land 402 Open land with scattered trees (((New graphical implementation suggested))) 403 Rough open land 404 Rough open land with scattered trees (((Suggested to also allow green dots))) 405 Forest: easy running 406 Forest: slow running 407 Undergrowth: slow running (((adjusted spacing suggested))) 408 Forest: difficult to run 409 Undergrowth: difficult to run (((adjusted spacing suggested))) 410 Vegetation: very difficult to run 421 Vegetation: impassable - (((new))) 411 Forest runnable in one direction 416 Distinct vegetation boundary (((alternative graphical implementation suggested))) 417 Indistinct vegetation boundary ((eliminated)) 418 Prominent tree ((adjusted)) 419, 420 Prominent vegetation feature ((new symbol suggested))
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 61/133 Vegetation (green or yellow) 2
412 Orchard 413 Vineyard 414 Distinct cultivation boundary 415 Cultivated land
Comments It is suggested to adjusted the steps in the runnability scale, and add impassable vegetation (the ISSOM2007 symbol). The new system gives better possibilities to distinguish the runnability of areas that can be used for orienteering (100% to 40%). The ISOM2000 steps were 100%, 80%, 60%, 20%. the suggested steps are 100%, 80%, 60%, 40%, 10%. Impassable vegetation is so dense that it would be risky to try to get through. For fairness reasons, it is therefore forbidden to impassable vegetation. It is suggested to change the graphical implementation of the undergrowth symbols to align better with the green percentage of the vegetation symbols. An alternative graphical implementation for distinct vegetation boundary is suggested for areas with a lot of rock features. It is suggested to reduce the size of some of the point symbols slightly.
401 Open land
Definition Cultivated land, fields, meadows, grassland, etc. without trees, offering better than normal running. If yellow coloured areas becomes dominant, a screen (75% instead of full yellow 100% may be used. Colour: yellow.
ISOM 2000 text Cultivated land, fields, meadows, grassland, etc. without trees, offering easy running. If yellow coloured areas becomes dominant, screen (75% instead of full yellow 100% may be used. Colour: yellow.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F401 plane shape Open land none
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 62/133 401 Open land 3
Application Shall not be combined with other area symbols than the marsh symbols and the boulder field symbol.
Minimum graphical dimensions The minimum area must exceed 1 mm by 1 mm (footprint 7.5 m by 7.5 m).
Impact to runability It provides better than normal runability.
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
4.1 Open land An area with no trees. Grassland, a meadow or a field. Also heath or moorland.
4.3 Forest corner The corner or tip of a forested area projecting into open land.
4.4 Clearing A small area of land free from trees within the forest.
402 Open land with scattered trees
Definition Open land with scattered trees or bushes that has a ground cover (grass, moss or similar) which offers better than normal runability. Areas smaller than 10 mm2 are shown as open land (401). Prominent individual trees or bushes may be added.
ISOM 2000 text Meadows with scattered trees or bushes, with grass or similar ground cover offering easy running. Areas smaller than 10 mm at the maps scale are shown as open land (401). Individual trees may be added (418, 419, 420). If yellow coloured areas becomes dominant, a screen (75% instead of full yellow may be used. Colour: yellow (20 lines/cm.
Graphic Implementation This symbol shall be orientated to north.
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F402 full yellow with holes Ø 0.3 / 0.5 / 45 degrees Open land with scattered trees Inversed
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 63/133 402 Open land with scattered trees 4
Application •• Areas smaller than 10.0 mm^2 at the map scale are shown as open land (401). •• The dots may be white (scattered trees) or green (scattered bushes/thickets).
Minimum graphical dimensions The minimum area must exceed 3.3mm by 3.3 mm (footprint 50 m by 50 m).
Impact to runability It provides better than normal runnability.
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
4.2 Semi-openland An area of open land with scattered trees or bushes.
Comments It is suggested to inverse the symbol to reflect its close relationship to 404 rough open land with scattered trees.
403 Rough open land
Definition Heath, moorland, felled areas, newly planted areas (trees lower than ca. 1 m) or other generally open land with rough ground vegetation, heather or tall grass.
ISOM 2000 text Heath, moorland, felled areas, newly planted areas (trees lower than ca. 1 m) or other generally open land with rough ground vegetation, heather or tall grass. Symbol 403 may be combined with symbols 407 and 409 to show reduced runnability. Colour: yellow 50% (60 lines/cm)(36%.
Graphic Implementation
No Symbol Dimension mm Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F403 plane shape Rough open none
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 64/133 403 Rough open land 5
Application •• May be combined with symbols 407 and 409 to show reduced runability. •• Areas smaller than 1 mm by 1 mm should be exaggerated to the minimum dimensions or shown as open land (401).
Minimum Graphical dimensions The minimum area must exceed 1 mm by 1 mm (footprint 15 m by 15 m).
Impact to runability Rough open land offers the same runability as typical runnable forest.
Corresponding symbols for the Control description
No. Picto Name Description
4.1 Open land An area with no trees. Grassland, a meadow or a field. Also heath or moorland.
4.4 Clearing A small area of land free from trees within the forest.
404 Rough open land with scattered trees
Definition Where there are scattered trees or bushes in rough open land, areas of white (or green) should appear in the tone. Such an area may be generalised by using a regular pattern of large dots in the yellow screen. Colour: yellow 70% with holes.
ISOM 2000 text Where there are scattered trees in rough open land, areas of white (or green) should appear in the tone. Such an area may be generalised by using a regular pattern of large white dots in the yellow screen. Areas smaller than 16 mm2 in the maps scale are shown as rough open land (403). Individual trees may be added (418, 419, 420). Colour: yellow 70% (60 lines/cm) , white 48.5% (14.3 lines/cm).
Graphic Implementation
No Symbol Dimension mm Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F404 Ø 0.55 / 0.7 regular pattern / plane shape Rough open with scattered trees none
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 65/133 404 Rough open land with scattered trees 6
Application •• Symbol 403 may be combined with symbols 407 and 409 to show reduced runability. •• Areas smaller than 10 mm 2 must be exaggerated or shown as rough open land (403). •• The dots may be white (scattered trees) or green (scattered bushes/thickets).
Minimum graphical dimensions The minimum area must exceed 3.3 mm by 3.3 mm (footprint 50 m by 50 m).
Impact to runability Rough open land with scattered trees offers the same runability as typical runnable forest.
Corresponding symbols for the Control description
No. Picto Name Description
4.2 Semi-open land An area of open land with scattered trees or bushes.
405 Forest: easy running
Definition Typically open runnable forest for the particular type of terrain. If no part of the forest is easy runnable then no white should appear on the map.
Old ISOM 2000 text Typically open runnable forest for the particular type of terrain. If no part of the forest is runnable then no white should appear on the map. Colour: white.
Graphic Implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F405 plane shape Forest none
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 66/133 405 Forest: easy running 7
Application If no part of the forest is easy runable then no white should appear on the map.
Minimum graphical dimensions The minimum area must exceed 1 mm by 1 mm (footprint 15 m by 15 m).
Impact to runability It provides good runability (typical for the area).
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
4.3 Forest corner The corner or tip of a forested area projecting into open land.
4.4 Clearing A small area of land free from trees within the forest.
4.8 Copse A small area of trees in open ground.
406 Forest: slow running
Definition An area with dense trees (low visibility) which reduces running to ca. 60-80% of normal speed. The height of the vegetation should be at least 2 m.
ISOM 2000 text An area with dense trees (low visibility) which reduces running to ca. 60-80% of normal speed. Colour: green 30% (60 lines/cm).
Graphic Implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F406 plane shape Thicket loos: slow running none
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 67/133 406 Forest: slow running 8
Minimum graphical dimensions The minimum area must exceed 1 mm by 1 mm (footprint 15 m by 15 m)
Impact to runability It offers slow running, which reduces to ca. 60-80% of normal speed.
Corresponding symbols for the control description Such areas do not offer suitable control points.
No. Picto Name Description
4.5 Thicket
4.8 Copse
407 Undergrowth: slow running
Definition An area of dense undergrowth but otherwise good visibility (brambles, heather, low bushes, and including cut branches) which reduces running to ca. 60-80% of normal speed.
Old ISOM 2000 text An area of dense undergrowth but otherwise good visibility (brambles, heather, low bushes, and including cut branches) which reduces running to ca. 60-80% of normal speed. This symbol may not be combined with 406 or 408. Colour: green 14.3 % (11.9 lines/cm).
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F407 plane shape regular pattern 0.12 / 0.48 Undergrowth, slow More dense (green percentage more similar to 406). (centre to centre) running ISOM 2000: 0.12 / 0.84
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 68/133 407 Undergrowth: slow running 9
Minimum graphical dimensions The minimum area must exceed 2 mm by 2 mm (footprint 30 m by 30 m).
Impact to runability It provides slow running, which reduces running to ca. 60-80% of normal speed.
Corresponding symbols for the Control description •• There is no control description for this symbol.
Comments The symbol has been made more green (14%->25%) to make it appear more like 406 forest slow running, which offers the same reduction in runnability.
408 Forest: difficult to run
Definition An area with dense trees or thicket (low visibility) which reduce running to ca. 40-60 % of normal speed.
Old ISOM 2000 text An area with dense trees or thicket (low visibility) which reduce running to ca. 20-60 % of normal speed. Colour: green 60 % (60 lines/cm).
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F408 plane shape Thicket dense: difficult to run none
Minimum graphical dimensions The minimum area must exceed 1 mm by 1 mm (footprint 15 m by 15 m).
Impact to runability Difficult to run, ca. 40-60% of normal speed.
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
4.5 Thicket A small area of forest where the tree cover or undergrowth is so dense that it is difficult to pass.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 69/133 409 Undergrowth: difficult to run 10 409 Undergrowth: difficult to run
Definition An area of dense undergrowth but otherwise good visibility (brambles, heather, low bushes, and including cut branches) which reduces running to ca. 40-60% of normal speed.
ISOM 2000 text An area of dense undergrowth but otherwise good visibility (brambles, heather, low bushes, and including cut branches) which reduces running to ca. 20-60% of normal speed. This symbol may not be combined with 406 or 408. Colour: green 28.6% (23.8 lines/cm).
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F409 plane shape / regular pattern - 0.12 / Undergrowth more dense / thicker lines (more similar percentage of 0.24 (centre to centre) II green to 408). ISOM2000: 0.12 / 0.42
Application •• Undergrowth that reduce runnability further shall be represented using "vegetation, very difficult to run" or "vegetation, impassable".
Minimum graphical dimensions The minimum area must exceed 1 mm by 1 mm (footprint 15 m by 15 m).
Impact to runability It provides slow running, which reduces running to ca. 40-60% of normal speed.
Corresponding symbols for the control description •• There is no control description for this symbol.
Comments The symbol has been made more green (29%->50%) to make it appear more like 408 forest difficult to run, which offers the same reduction in runnability.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 70/133 410 Vegetation: very difficult to run 11 410 Vegetation: very difficult to run
Definition An area of dense vegetation (trees or undergrowth) which is barely passable. Running reduced to ca. 10-40 % of normal speed.
Old ISOM 2000 text An area of dense vegetation (trees or undergrowth) which is barely passable. Running reduced to ca. 0-20 % of normal speed. Colour: green 100 %.
Graphic Implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F410 plane shape Vegetation, very difficult to run (fight) none
0.25 (minimum dimension in width) Vegetation, very difficult to run (fight) none
Application •• For fairness reasons, areas that are really difficult to get through (10% and slower) shall be represented using impassable vegetation.
Minimum graphical dimensions The minimum area must exceed 0.5 mm by 0.5 mm (footprint 7.5 m by 7.5 m).
Impact to runability Significant. Speed reduced to ca. 10-40% of normal speed.
Corresponding symbols for the control description
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 71/133 410 Vegetation: very difficult to run 12
No. Picto Name Description
4.5 Thicket A small area of forest where the tree cover or undergrowth is so dense that it is difficult to pass.
4.6 Linear thicket A man-made line of trees or bushes that is difficult to cross
421 Vegetation: impassable
Definition An area of dense vegetation (trees or undergrowth) which is impassable or which shall not be crossed, due to forbidden access or because it may constitute a danger to the competitor. It is forbidden to cross areas that are represented by this symbol on the map. Course setters should avoid setting courses where crossing such areas could be considered an option.
Graphic Implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F421 plane shape Vegetation: impassable new - Colour: green 100%, black 50% (min. 60 lines/cm).
0.4 (minimum width) Vegetation: impassable new
Application •• For fairness reasons, even areas where one might get through (10% and slower) shall be represented using this symbol.
Minimum graphical dimensions The minimum area must exceed 1 mm by 1mm (footprint 15 m by 15 m). Minimum width 0.4 mm (footprint 6 m).
Impact to runability Illegal to pass.
Corresponding symbols for the control description
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 72/133 421 Vegetation: impassable 13
No. Picto Name Description
4.5 Thicket A small area of forest where the tree cover or undergrowth is so dense that it is difficult to pass.
4.6 Linear thicket A man-made line of trees or bushes that is difficult to cross
411 Forest runnable in one direction
Definition When an area of forest provides good running in one direction but less good in others, a regular pattern of white stripes are left in the screen to show the direction of good running. Colour: green (30%, 60% or 100%), white.
Graphic Implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F411.1 plane shape Forest runnable in one direction none
F411.2 plane shape Forest runnable in one direction none
F411.3 plane shape Forest runnable in one direction none
Corresponding symbols for the Control description •• Must not be used for a control, so there is no control description for this symbol.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 73/133 416 Distinct vegetation boundary 14 416 Distinct vegetation boundary
Definition A distinct forest edge or very distinct vegetation boundary within the forest.
Old ISOM 2000 text A distinct forest edge or very distinct vegetation boundary within the forest. Colour: black.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol dimension mm Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F416.1 0.22 / 0.5 Vegetation boundary (ISOM 2000) none
F416.2 0.1 Vegetation boundary green colour
Application •• Only one of the vegetation boundary symbols (black dotted line or full green line) can be used on a map. •• For areas with a lot of rock features, it is recommended to use the green line for vegetation boundary. A disadvantage with a green line is that it can not be used to show distinct vegetation boundaries around and within dark green areas (410). An alternative for these (rare?) situations is to use cultivation boundary (thin black line). •• Very distinct forest edges and vegetation boundaries may be represented using the cultivation boundary symbol.
Minimum graphical dimensions For the black dot implementation, the number of dots must exceed 5. For the green line, the length must exceed 2 mm (footprint 30 meters).
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
4.7 Vegetation boundary A distinct boundary between different types of trees or vegetation.
Comments It is suggested to add a new graphical implementation that can be used in areas with a lot of black (rock) features.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 74/133 418 Prominent tree 15 418 Prominent tree
Definition A prominent tree.
ISOM 2000 text (418, 419, 420 Special vegetation features) Symbols 418, 419 and 420 can be used for special small vegetation features. The definition of the symbol must be given in each case in the map legend. Colour: green.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F418 Ø 0.8 Prominent tree none
Corresponding symbols for the Control description
No. Picto Name Description
4.9 Distinctive tree An unusual or distinctive tree in either open land or forest; frquently information is also given as to its type.
Comments The green circle is now only used for prominent trees.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 75/133 419, 420 Prominent vegetation feature 16 419, 420 Prominent vegetation feature
Definition A prominent vegetation feature. These symbols can be used for prominent vegetation features. The definition of the symbol must be given in each case in the map legend.
ISOM 2000 text (418, 419, 420 Special vegetation features) Symbols 418, 419 and 420 can be used for special small vegetation features. The definition of the symbol must be given in each case in the map legend. Colour: green.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F419 0.8 / 0.8 / 0.18 Prominent vegetation feature (cross) none
F420 0.8 / 0.8 / 0.8 / 0.18 Prominent vegetation feature (triangle) new
Application •• The definition of the symbol must be given in each case in the map legend. •• The symbol is orientated to north.
Corresponding symbols for the Control description
No. Picto Name Description
4.9 Distinctive tree An unusual or distinctive tree in either open land or forest; frequently information is also given as to its type.
4.10 Tree stump, Root The stump of a tree. The upturned root of a fallen tree, with or without the trunk. stock
6.1 Special item If used, an explanation of its meaning must be supplied to competitors in the pre-race information.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 76/133 412 Orchard 17 412 Orchard
Definition Land planted with fruit trees or bushes, normally in a regular pattern.
Old ISOM 2000 text Land planted with fruit trees or bushes. The dot lines may be orientated to show the direction of planting. If yellow coloured areas becomes dominant, a screen (75 %) instead of full yellow may be used. Colour: yellow and green 25 % (12.5 lines/cm).
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F412 045 /0.8 / plane shape Orchard none
Application •• The dot lines may be orientated to show the direction of planting. •• If yellow coloured areas become dominant, a screen (75%) instead of full yellow may be used.
Minimum graphical dimensions The minimum area must exceed 2 mm by 2 mm (footprint 30 m by 30 m.
Impact to runability It normally provides good runability.
Corresponding symbols for the Control description •• There is no control description for this symbol.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 77/133 413 Vineyard 18 413 Vineyard
Definition A vineyard or similar cultivated land containing rows of plants.
ISOM 2000 text The green lines may be orientated to show the direction of planting. If yellow coloured areas becomes dominant, a screen (75 % ) instead of full yellow may be used. Colour: yellow and green.
Graphic Implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F413 0.2 / 0.85 / 1.3 / 0.6 plane shape Vineyard none
Application The lines may be orientated to show the direction of planting. If yellow coloured areas become dominant, a screen (75%) instead of full yellow may be used.
Minimum graphical dimensions The minimum area must exceed 2 by 2 mm (footprint 30 m by 30 m).
Impact to runability It normally provides good runability in the direction of planting.
Corresponding symbols for the Control description •• There is no control description for this symbol.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 78/133 414 Distinct cultivation boundary 19 414 Distinct cultivation boundary
Definition The boundary of cultivated land when not shown with other symbols (fence, wall, path, etc.) is shown with black line. A permanent boundary between different types of cultivated land is also shown with this symbol.
ISOM 2000 text The boundary of cultivated land when not shown with other symbols (fence, wall, path, etc.) is shown with black line. A permanent boundary between different types of cultivated land is also shown with this symbol. Colour: black.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F414 black (ISOM2000) none
Application The boundary of cultivated land when not shown with other symbols (fence, wall, path, etc.) is shown with a black line.
Minimum graphical dimension The minimum length must exceed 1 mm (footprint 15 meters).
Corresponding symbols for the control description None
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 79/133 415 Cultivated land 20 415 Cultivated land
Definition Cultivated land, normally used for growing crops. Since the runnability is impossible to assess, such areas should be avoided when setting courses.
ISOM 2000 text Cultivated land which is seasonally out-of-bounds due to growing crops may be shown with a black dot screen. Colour: yellow 100%, black 5% (12.5 lines/cm).
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F415 0.2 / 0.8 plane shape Cultivated land none
F414 0.1 Cultivation boundary none
Minimum graphical dimensions The area must exceed 3 mm by 3 mm (footprint 45 m by 45 m).
Impact to runability Runnability may vary according to the type of crops grown and the time of year.
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
4.1 Open land An area with no trees. Grassland, a meadow or a field. Also heath or moorland.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 80/133 Man-made features (black) 1 Man-made features (black)
The track network provides important information for the runner and the classification must be clearly recognisable on the map. Particularly important for the competitor is the classification of smaller paths. Account must be taken not only of the width, but also of how obvious the path is to the runner. Other man-made features are also important both for map reading and as control points. In areas with a lot of rock features it is allowed to print roads, tracks and paths (symbols 504-509) using dark grey (70% black) instead of black. 529 Paved area (((Reduced outline width suggested))) 501 Motorway / Highway ((eliminated - application of 502)) 502 Wide road 503 Minor road ((eliminated - application of 502)) 504 Road ((added a new ISSOM like graphical implementation - for consideration)) 505 Vehicle track ((added a new ISSOM like graphical implementation - for consideration)) 506 Footpath 507 Small path 508 Less distinct small path 509 Forest ride or linear man made feature (((Shorter dashes suggested))) 510 Visible path junction ((eliminated see application 507)) 511 Indistinct junction ((eliminated see application 507)) 512 Footbridge ((eliminated see application 518)) 513 Crossing point with bridge ((eliminated see application 512)) 514 Crossing point without bridge ((eliminated see application 512)) 515 Railway (((new graphical implementation))) 516 Power line, cableway or skilift 517 Major power line (((new symbor for pylons / masts suggested))) 518 Bridge / Tunnel (((Combined))) 519 Stone wall (((new graphical implementation- for consideration))) 520 Ruined stone wall (((new graphical implementation - for consideration))) 521 Impassable stone wall (forbidden to cross) (((Thicker line, new graphical implementation - for consideration))) 522 Fence 523 Ruined fence 524 Impassable fence (forbidden to cross) (((Thicker line))) 525 Crossing point 527 Area with forbidden access (change the name to align with ISSOM) (((Included 528))) 528 Permanently out of bounds ((application of 527)) 526 Building (((Mechanisms for huge buildings and building passthroughs presented for consideration))) 530 Ruin 531 Firing range (((eliminated see 709 (Overprinting symbols))))
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 81/133 Man-made features (black) 2
532 Grave (((Confession neutral representation for consideration))) 535 High tower (((Wind turbine symbol for consideration))) 536 Small tower 537 Cairn 538 Fodder rack 533 Special passable line feature (((Pipeline symbol made generic and new graphical implementation - for consideration))) 534 Special impassable line feature (((Pipeline symbol made generic and new graphical implementation - for consideration))) 539 Prominent man-made point feature
Comments A new colour is offered for roads, tracks and paths in rocky areas, to distinguish them from the rock features. Some symbols have been removed and become applications of other symbols. It is suggested to reduce the size of some of the point symbols slightly.
Optional use of dark grey for tracks in terrains with a lot of rock features Both the road / path network and rock are represented using black. While the road / path network offers easy running, rock generally means hindrance or danger. The map commission is considering to allow an alternative colour to be used to be able to distinguish between these different types of "black" features in demanding terrains. The colour that is suggested is a dark grey. This could make maps of very rocky terrains better readable. A challenge with dark grey is that rendering it is more demanding than rendering of black, giving less sharp symbols. Some arguments for allowing dark grey for road / path is that dangerous features such as cliffs and hindrance will be very visible (also on contours), and since road / path are line symbols, they are not so sensitive to less sharp rendering. Arguments for allowing dark grey for rock instead is that the road / paths will be very visible (easier to see route choices along road / path).
Fig. 1: Left: Dark grey for road and path network. Right (alternative): Dark grey for rocks, boulders and stones (scree) vs. alternativ 2:
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 82/133 529 Paved area 3 529 Paved area
Definition A paved area is an area with a firm level surface such as asphalt, hard gravel, tiles, concrete or the like. It should be bordered (or framed) by the symbol (529.1). Distinct differences within the paved area can be represented with the symbol (529.1), if they serve navigation.
Old ISOM 2000 text An area of hard standing used for parking or other purposes. Colour: black and brown 50% (60 lines/cm).
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F529 plane shape Paved area shape none
0.10 Edge of paved area 0.12 in ISOM 2000
Minimum dimension on ground The minimum area must exceed 7.5 m by 7.5 m.
Impact to runability It provides very good runability
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
5.12 Paved area An area of hard standing used for parking or other purposes.
Comments / questions The width of the outline has been reduced to reduce its visual impact.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 83/133 502 Wide road 4 502 Wide road
Definition Road wider than 3 m.
Old ISOM 2000 text Road wider than 5 m. The width of the symbol should be drawn to scale but not smaller than the minimum width. The outer boundary lines may be replaced with symbols 519, 521, 522 or 524 if fence or wall is so close to the motorway edge that it cannot practically be shown as separate symbol. The space between the black lines must be filled with brown (50%) road under construction may be shown with broken lines. Colour: black and brown 50% (60 lines/cm).
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F501 0.18 + 0.5 + 0.18 + 0.5 + + 0.18 Motorway / road with two carriageways none
F502 > 0.18 + 0.5 + 0.18 Major road > 5 m none
F503 0.18 + 0.3 + 0.18 Minor road (minimum width) none
Application •• The width of the symbol should be drawn to scale but not smaller than the minimum width. •• The outer boundary lines may be replaced with symbols 519, 521, 522 or 524 if a fence or wall is so close to the road edge that it cannot practically be shown as a separate symbol. •• The space between the black lines must be filled with brown (50%). •• A road with two carriageways can be represented using two major road symbols side by side, keeping only one of the edges in the middle.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 84/133 502 Wide road 5
Impact to runability It provides good runnability.
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
5.1 Road A metalled/asphalt surfaced or dirt road, suitable for vehicles in normal weather conditions.
Comments / questions The symbols for wide roads (501 Motorway and 502 Major road) have been collected into one symbol (with applications).
504 Road
Definition A maintained road suitable for motor vehicles in all weather. Width less than 3 m
ISOM 2000 text (504 Road) A maintained road suitable for motor vehicles in all weather. Width less than 3 m. Colour: black.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F504 0.35 none
F504.1 0.10 + 0.20 + 0.10 new graphical implementation (to align with ISSOM)
Note: Only one of 504 and 504.1 will make it into the ISOM
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 85/133 504 Road 6
Impact to runability It provides very good runability.
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
5.1 Road A metalled/asphalt surfaced or dirt road, suitable for vehicles in normal weather conditions.
Comments New graphical implementation for consideration (to align further with ISSOM).
505 Vehicle track
Definition A track or poorly maintained road suitable for vehicles only when travelling slowly. Width less than 3 m.
ISOM 2000 text (505 Vehicle track) A track or poorly maintained road suitable for vehicles only when travelling slowly. Width less than 3 m. Colour: black.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F505 0.35/3.0/0.25 Vehicle track none
F505.1 0.10+0.20+0.10/3.0/0.25 Vehicle track new graphical implementation (to align with ISSOM)
Note: Only one of 505 and 505.1 will make it into the ISOM
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 86/133 505 Vehicle track 7
Impact to runability It provides good runability.
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
5.2 Track, Path A visible route made by people or animals. Tracks may be driven by rugged vehicles.
Comments New graphical implementation for consideration (to align further with ISSOM).
506 Footpath
Definition A large path, or old vehicle track, which is distinct on the ground.
Old ISOM 2000 text A large path, or old vehicle track, which is distinct on the ground. Colour: black.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F506 0.25/2.0/0.25 Footpath none
Application •• When a junction or intersection of paths or tracks is visible, the dashes of the symbols are joined at the junction. •• When a junction or intersection of paths or tracks is not clear, the dashes of the symbols are not joined.
Impact to runability It provides good runability.
Corresponding symbols for the Control description
No. Picto Name Description
5.2 Track, Path A visible route made by people or animals. Tracks may be driven by rugged vehicles.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 87/133 507 Small path 8 507 Small path
Definition A small path or (temporary) forest extraction track which can be followed at competition speed.
Old ISOM 2000 text (507 Small path) A small path or (temporary) forest extraction track which can be followed at competition speed. Colour: black.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F507 0.18/1.0/0.25 Small path none
Application •• When a junction or intersection of paths or tracks is visible, the dashes of the symbols are joined at the junction. •• When a junction or intersection of paths or tracks is not clear, the dashes of the symbols are not joined.
Impact to runability It provides good runability.
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
5.2 Track/Path A visible route made by people or animals. Tracks may be driven by rugged vehicles.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 88/133 508 Less distinct small path 9 508 Less distinct small path
Definition A less distinct / visible small path or forestry extraction track.
ISOM 2000 text (508 Less distinct small path) A less distinct small path or forestry extraction track. Colour: black.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F508 0.18/1.0/0.25/1.0 Indistinct small path none
Minimum graphical dimensions Minimum length is 5.5 mm (footprint 83 meters).
Impact to runability It provides slightly better runability than the surrounding terrain.
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
5.2 Track/Path A visible route made by people or animals. Tracks may be driven by rugged vehicles.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 89/133 509 Forest ride or linear man made feature 10 509 Forest ride or linear man made feature
Definition A forest ride or a linear man-made feature through the terrain which does not have a distinct path along it. Does not offer easier running than the surrounding terrain.
Old ISOM 2000 text (509 Narrow ride) A distinct ride, less than ca. 5 m wide. A ride is a linear break in the forest (usually plantation) which does not have a distinct path along it. Where there is a path along a ride, symbols 507 or 508 should be used in place of symbol 509. Colour: black.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F509 0.14/2.0/0.25 Narrow ride normal forest runnability (without white spacing) Dashes shorter (3.0->2.0).
Application •• Narrow rides through the forest. •• Forestry extraction tracks •• Sandy tracks
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description
F509.4 0.14/2.0/0.25/0.45 Narrow ride good runnability (with white background in greens)
F509.1 0.14/2.0/0.25/0.45 Narrow ride very good runnability (with yellow background)
F509.2 0.14/2.0/0.25/0.45 Narrow ride reduced runnability (with pale green background - 406 in white or yellows)
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 90/133 509 Forest ride or linear man made feature 11
F509.3 0.14/2.0/0.25/0.45 Narrow ride difficult to run (with medium green background - 408 in white or yellows)
Impact to runnability •• F509.0 provides the same runnability as the surroundings. •• F509.1 provides very good runnability. •• F509.4 provides good runnability. •• F509.2 provides slow runnability. •• F509.3 provides difficult runnability.
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
5.9 Ride A clearly visible linear break in the forest which does not have a distinct path along it
Comments It is suggested to make the dash lengths shorter and the gaps smaller. It is also suggested to extend the application of this symbol to other linear man-made features.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 91/133 515 Railway 12 515 Railway
Definition A railway or other kind of railed track.
Old ISOM 2000 text A railway or other kind of railed track (tramway, truckway, etc.) Colour: black.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F515 0.5/1.5/1.5 Railway different symbol (same as in ISSOM 2007)
Application If it is forbidden to run along the railway, it should be combined with the symbol for forbidden route. If it is forbidden to cross the railway, it should be combined with the symbol for forbidden area.
Impact to runability Runnability may vary.
Corresponding symbols for the control description •• There is no control description for this symbol.
Comments Suggested to change the graphical implementation to the ISSOM2007 version (for consistency between the specifications).
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 92/133 516 Power line, cableway or skilift 13 516 Power line, cableway or skilift
Definition Power line, cableway or skilift. The bars indicate the exact location of the pylons.
Old ISOM 2000 text (516 Power line) Power line, cableway or skilift. The bars indicate the exact location of the pylons. Colour: black.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F516 0.14 Power line none
0.14/0.6 Power line pylon none
Application The bars show the exact location of the pylons. If a power line, skilift or cable way goes along a road or path (and does not offer additional navigational value) it may be omitted.
Minimum dimension on ground Minimum length 5 mm (footprint 75 meters).
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
5.5 Power line A power line, cableway or ski lift
5.6 Power line pylon A support for power line, cableway or ski lift.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 93/133 517 Major power line 14 517 Major power line
Definition Major power lines should be drawn with double line. The gap between the lines may indicate the extent of the powerline.
Old ISOM 2000 text (517 Major power line) Major power lines should be drawn with double line. The gap between the lines may indicate the extent of the powerline. Colour: black.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension Description Changes from ISOM 2000 [mm]
F517 1.5/0.14/0.14 Major power line (line) in ISOM 2000: width 0.14, outer side tag 0.3, no square symbol
F517.1 0.18/1.5/0.8 x Major power line (pylon) new 0.8
F535 Ø 0.8/0.16/1.4 High tower (pylon ISOM2000 535 alternative?)
Application •• The gap between the lines may indicate the extent of the power line. •• Very large carrying masts shall be represented in plan shape or with the symbol high tower (535).
Corresponding symbols for the control description
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 94/133 517 Major power line 15
No. Picto Name Description
5.5 Power line A power or telephone line, cableway or ski lift.
5.6 Power line pylon A support for power or telephone line, cableway or ski lift
Comments It is suggested to increase the visual impact of the symbol for the powerline pylons / masts by including a hollow black box on the "tag".
518 Bridge / Tunnel
Definition Bridges and tunnels are represented using the same basic symbol.
Old ISOM 2000 text A way under roads, railways, etc. which may be used by the runner. This symbol is used whether or not the tunnel has track leading to it. Colour: black.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension Description Changes from ISOM 2000 [mm]
F518 0.18 Bridge none (ISOM2000 518)
F512 0.25/0.5 Footbridge (graphic none (ISOM2000 512) minimum)
F518.1 0.18/0.3/0.45° Tunnel (graphical minimum) In ISOM 2000: V symbol, width 0.18, tag length 0.6, angle 60°
F518.2 0.18/0.6/0.60° Tunnel (graphical minimum) none
Should 518.1 or 518.2 be the minimum dimension?
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 95/133 518 Bridge / Tunnel 16
Application •• The symbol is used whether or not there is a track leading to it. •• If it is not possible to get through a tunnel (or under a bridge), it shall be omitted. •• Footbridge (graphical minimum) - used for an isolated footbridge over a water course. •• For a path or track with a footbridge over a water course, the center point of a path dash shall be placed at the centre of water course. •• When a path or track crosses a water course without a bridge, the dashes of the path or track shall not cross the water course.
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
5.4 Bridge A crossing point over a watercourse, or other linear feature.
5.7 Tunnel A way under roads, railways, etc.
Comments The ISOM2000 tunnel symbols has been extended to also cover bridges.
519 Stone wall
Definition A stone wall or stone-faced bank.
Old ISOM 2000 text A stone wall or stone-faced bank. Colour: black.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F519 0.14/2.5/Ø 0.4 Stone wall none
F519.1 0.14/1.25/Ø 0.4 Stone wall dots closer together
Note: Only one of F519 and 519.1 will be used.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 96/133 519 Stone wall 17
Minimum graphical dimensions A stone wall must exceed 2 mm in length (footprint 30 m).
Impact to runability Crossing a stone wall may disturb runability by scrambling or climbing
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
5.8 Stone wall A stone boundary wall or stone faced bank. Used with symbol 8.11 to indicate a ruined stone wall.
520 Ruined stone wall
Definition A ruined stonewall or stone-faced bank.
Old ISOM 2000 text A ruined stone wall may be shown by dashed line. Colour: black.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F520 0.14/2.5/0.25/Ø0.4 Ruined stone wall none
F520.1 0.14/1.25/0.25/Ø0.4 Ruined stone wall narrower dotted
Note: Only one of F520 and 520.1 will be used.
Minimum graphical dimensions A ruined stonewall must exceed 3.75 mm in length (footprint 56 m)
Impact to runability Crossing a ruined stonewall may disturb runability by scrambling or climbing
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
5.8 Stone wall A stone boundary wall or stone faced bank. Used with symbol 8.11 to indicate a ruined stone wall.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 97/133 521 Impassable stone wall 18 521 Impassable stone wall
Definition An impassable stonewall or stone-faced bank. Shall not be crossed.
Old ISOM 2000 text A stone wall higher than ca 1.5 m, not crossable to the average orienteer. Colour: black.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F521 0.35/2.5/Ø 0.7/0.9 Impassable stone wall Thicker line, larger dots
F521.1 0.35/1.25/Ø 0.7/0.9 Impassable stone wall (dots closer) thicker line, larger dots, dots closer
Note: Only one of F521 and 521.1 will be used.
Minimum graphical dimensions A impassable stone wall must exceed 3 mm in length (footprint 45 m).
Minimum dimension ground A impassable stone wall should exceed 1.5 m in height.
Impact to runability Crossing an impassable stone wall is not allowed.
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
5.8 Stone wall A stone boundary wall or stone faced bank. Used with symbol 8.11 to indicate a ruined stone wall.
Comments Declared as forbidden to cross for fairness reasons. Line made thicker to increase the visual impact (necessary for features that are forbidden to cross).
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 98/133 522 Fence 19 522 Fence
Definition A wooden or wire fence less than ca. 1.5 high.
Old ISOM 2000 text A wooden or wire fence less than ca. 1.5 high. Colour: black.
Graphic Implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F522 0.14/2.5/60°/0.14/0.5 Fence none
Application •• If a fence or railing is higher than 1.5 m or very difficult to cross, it shall be represented with the symbol impassable fence. •• If a fence forms an enclosed area tags should be pointed inside.
Minimum graphical dimensions A fence must exceed 1.5 mm in length (footprint 22.5 m).
Impact to runability Crossing a fence may disturb runability by scrambling or climbing.
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
5.9 Fence A wire or wooden boundary. Used with symbol 8.11 to indicate a ruined fence.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 99/133 523 Ruined fence 20 523 Ruined fence
Definition A ruined fence
Old ISOM 2000 text A ruined fence may be shown with dashed line. Colour: black.
Graphic Implementation
No Symbol Dimension mm Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F523 0.14/2.5/0.25/60°/0.14/0.5 Ruined fence none
Application If fence forms an enclosed area tags should be placed inside.
Minimum graphcal dimensions A ruined fence must exceed 3.75 mm in length (footprint 56 m). If shorter, the symbol must be exaggerated or changed to fence.
Impact to runability Crossing a ruined fence may disturb runability by scrambling or climbing
Corresponding symbols for the Control description
No. Picto Name Description
5.9 Fence A wire or wooden boundary. Used with symbol 8.11 to indicate a ruined fence.
5.10 Crossing point A way through or over a wall, fence, or pipeline, including a gate or stile.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 100/133 524 Impassable fence 21 524 Impassable fence
Definition An impassable boarded or wire fence.
Old ISOM 2000 text A boarded or wire fence higher than ca 1.5 m, not crossable to the average orienteer, eg. deer fence. Colour: black.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F524 0.35/2.5/60°/0.14/0.5 High fence In ISOM 2000: 0.18/2.5/60°/0.14/0.6
Application If the fence forms an enclosed area tags shall be placed inside.
Minimum graphical dimensions An impassable fence must exceed 2 mm in length (footprint 30 m).
Minimum Dimensions in the terrain An impassable fence must exceed 1.5 m in height
Impact to runability Crossing an impassable fence is not allowed.
Corresponding symbols for the Control description
No. Picto Name Description
5.9 Fence A wire or wooden boundary. Used with symbol 8.11 to indicate a ruined fence.
5.10 Crossing point A way through or over a wall, fence, or pipeline, including a gate or stile.
Comments Declared as forbidden to cross for fairness reasons. Line made thicker to increase the visual impact (necessary for features that are forbidden to cross).
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 101/133 525 Crossing point 22 525 Crossing point
Definition A way through or over a wall, fence or pipeline, including a gate or stile.
Old ISOM 2000 text All ways through or over high fences or walls must be indicated. The symbol may also be used for a gate through or stile over stone wall (519) or fence (522) or pipeline (534). Colour: black.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F525 0.18/0.6/0.5 Crossing point None
Corresponding symbols for the Control description
No. Picto Name Description
5.10 Crossing point A way through or over a wall, fence, or pipeline, including a gate or stile.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 102/133 527 Area with forbidden access 23 527 Area with forbidden access
Definition An area with forbidden access such as private areas, railway areas, etc.
Old ISOM 2000 text (527 Settlement) Houses and gardens and other built up areas. Roads, buildings and other significant features within a forbidden area must be shown. If all buildings cannot be shown, an alternative symbol (black line screen) may be used. Colour: green 50% (60 l/cm) and yellow 100% or alternatively black 32.5% (27 l/cm).
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F527 oliv Area with forbidden access none (except for the semantics)
outline (0.25) Area with forbidden access, much thicker than cultivation boundary line boundary
F528 black vertical stripes (0.25, 0.75), thick black Area with forbidden access isom symbol 528 outline (0.35)
Application •• No feature shall be represented in this area, except very prominent features such as railways and large buildings. •• Road entrances shall be represented clearly. Length of entrance shall be short (1mm) in order to show the entrance but not to suggest it is possible to go in. •• Areas with forbidden access totally contained within buildings shall be mapped as being a part of the building. •• The area shall be discontinued where a path or track goes through. •• Areas with forbidden access shall always be bounded by a black boundary line or another black line (e.g. fence).
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 103/133 527 Area with forbidden access 24
Minimum graphical dimensions 1 mm by 1 mm (footprint 15 m by 15 m)
Impact to runability It is forbidden to cross such areas
Corresponding symbols for the control description There is no control description for this symbol.
Comments Declared as forbidden to cross for fairness reasons. Added a thick outline to increase the visual impact for small areas (necessary for features that are forbidden to cross). Symbol aligned with the ISSOM2007.
526 Building
Definition A building is a relatively permanent construction having a roof. It is forbidden to cross a building.
Old ISOM 2000 text A building is shown with its ground plan so far as the scale permits. Colour: black.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension mm Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F526 Building none
F526.1 Huge building ISSOM 2007 version (60 % black)
0.3 Building (outline) ISSOM 2007 version, but much thicker
0.5 x 0.5 Building (graphical minimum) none
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 104/133 526 Building 25
F526.2 Building passthrough / canopy (area) ISSOM 2007 version (20 % black )
0.1 Outline for building passthrough (line) ISSOM 2007 version
Application •• Buildings within symbol (528.1) may just be represented in a simplified manner. •• Areas totally contained within a building shall be mapped as being a part of the building. •• The minimum gap between buildings and between buildings and other impassable features shall be 0.4 mm.
Minimum graphical dimensions A building must be drawn larger than 0.6 mm by 0.6 mm (footprint 9m by 9m).
Impact to runability Passing through a builing is forbidden. Passing throug building passthroughs is allowed.
Corresponding symbols for the Control description
No. Picto Name Description
5.11 Building A standing brick, wood or stone structure.
Comments Declared as forbidden to cross for fairness reasons. Should it be allowed to use a gray infill for large buildings? Should passthroughs be represented?
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 105/133 530 Ruin 26 530 Ruin
Definition A ruined building.
Old ISOM 2000 text The ground plan of a ruin is shown to scale, down to the minimum size shown opposite. Very small ruins may be drawn with a solid line. Colour: black.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F530 0.16/1.0/0.25 Ruin in ISOM 2000 dash lenght not defined
F530.1 0.8 x 0.8 Ruin (graphical minimum) none
Application •• The ground plan of a ruin is shown to scale, down to the minimum size shown opposite. •• Ruins that are so small that they can not be drawn to scale may be represented using a solid line.
Impact to runability Crossing a ruin may disturb runability by scrambling or climbing.
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
5.13 Ruin The remains of a building that has fallen down.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 106/133 532 Grave 27 532 Grave
Definition A distinct grave marked by a stone or shrine.
Old ISOM 2000 text A distinct grave marked by a stone or shrine. Location is at the centre of gravity of the symbol, which is orientated to north. A cemetery is shown by using grave symbols as space permits. Colour: black.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F532 0.16/1.0/0.7/0.3 Grave none
F532.1 0.16/1.0/1.0 Grave (confessional neutral) new
Application •• Location is at the centre of gravity of the symbol, which is orientated to north. •• A cemetery may be shown by using grave symbols as space permits.
Minimum Dimensions in the terrain A grave should be higher than 1 meter.
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
6.1 Special item If used, an explanation of its meaning must be supplied to competitors in the prerace information.
6.2 Special item If used, an explanation of its meaning must be supplied to competitors in the prerace information.
Comments Should this symbol be removed, or changed to a neutral symbol (the ISOM2000 cross can be associated with Christian faith)
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 107/133 535 High tower 28 535 High tower
Definition A high tower or large pylon. If it is in a forest, it must stand above the level of the surrounding forest
Old ISOM 2000 text A high tower or large pylon, standing above the level of the surrounding forest. Location is at the centre of gravity of the symbol. Colour: black.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F535 Ø 0.8/0.16/1.4 High tower none
F535.1 Ø 0.8/0.16/1.4 (Illustration 200 %) High tower new proposal for wind turbine
Application •• The symbol is orientated to north. •• Towers with a large footprint must be represented as buildings
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
5.15 Tower A tall metal, wooden or brick structure, usually built for forest observation.
Comments Wind turbines are becoming more common, and are very visual structures. Do they deserve a separate symbol?
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 108/133 536 Small tower 29 536 Small tower
Definition An obvious small tower, platform or seat.
Old ISOM 2000 text An obvious shooting platform or seat, or small tower. Location is at the centre of gravity of the symbol. Colour: black.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F536 0.16/1.0/1.0 Small tower none
Application The symbol is orientated to north.
No. Picto Name Description
5.15 Tower A tall metal, wooden or brick structure, usually built for forest observation.
5.16 Shooting platform A structure attached to a tree where a marksman or observer can sit.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 109/133 537 Cairn 30 537 Cairn
Definition A man-made stone or pile of stones. A cairn, memorial stone, boundary stone or trigonometric point more than 0.5 m high.
Old ISOM 2000 text Cairn, memorial stone or boundary stone (or trigonometric point in some countries) more than 0.5 m high. Colour: black.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F537 0.16/Ø 0.14/Ø0.7 Crain slightly smaller (0.8->0.7)
Application •• Large massive monuments shall be represented in plan shape with the symbol building.
Minimum Dimensions in the terrain Minimum height is 0.5 meters.
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
5.17 Boundary stone, Cairn A man-made stone or pile of stones. A cairn, memorial stone, boundary stone or trigonometric point.
Comments Slight decrease in size of the symbol to decrease the visual impact of the symbol. It represents a prominent feature, but so do all the other ISOM symbols.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 110/133 538 Fodder rack 31 538 Fodder rack
Definition A fodder rack, which is free standing or attached to a tree.
Old ISOM 2000 text A fodder rack which is free standing or built on to tree. Location is at the centre of gravity of the symbol. For land access reasons these may be omitted. Colour: black.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F538 0.16/0.9/0.9/60° Fodder rack slightly smaller (1.0->0.9)
Application •• Location is at the centre of gravity of the symbol. •• The symbol is orientated to north.
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
5.18 Fodder rack A construction for holding feed for animals.
Comments Slight decrease in size of the symbol to decrease the visual impact of the symbol. It represents a prominent feature, but so do all the other ISOM symbols.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 111/133 533 Special passable line feature 32 533 Special passable line feature
Definition A prominent man-made line feature can be shown with this symbols. The definition of the symbol must be given in each case in the map legend, e.g. a low pipeline (gas, water, oil, heat, etc.) above ground level, which can be crossed over or under.
Old ISOM 2000 text (533 Crossable pipeline) A pipeline (gas, water, oil, etc.) above ground level which can be crossed over or 0.14 under. Colour: black.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F533 0.14/2.5/45°/0.5 Low prominent man-made line feature none
F533.1 0.14/1.25/45°/0.5 Low prominent man-made line feature "arrows" closer
Note: Only one of F533 and 533.1 will be used.
Impact to runability Crossing a special passable line feature may disturb runability by scrambling or climbing
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
5.14 Pipeline A pipeline (gas, water, oil, etc.) above ground level.
Comments It is suggested to change the previous pipeline symbol to a generic line symbol for special line features.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 112/133 534 Special impassable line feature 33 534 Special impassable line feature
Definition A high prominent man-made line feature can be shown with this symbols. The definition of the symbol must be given in each case in the map legend, e.g. a high pipeline (gas, water, oil, heat, etc.) above ground level, which can not be crossed over or under.
Old ISOM 2000 text A pipeline which cannot be crossed. Colour: black.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F534 0.14/2.5/45°/0.5 Impassable prominent man-made line feature none
F534.1 0.14/1.25/45°/0.5 Impassable prominent man-made line feature "arrows" closer
Note: Only one of F534 and 534.1 will be used.
Impact to runability Crossing an impassable line feature is not allowed.
Corresponding symbols for the control description
No. Picto Name Description
5.14 Pipeline A pipeline (gas, water, oil, etc.) above ground level.
Comments It is suggested to change the previous pipeline symbol to a generic line symbol for special line features.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 113/133 539 Prominent man-made point feature 34 539 Prominent man-made point feature
Definition Prominent man-made features can be shown with these symbols. The definition of the symbols must be given in each case in the map legend.
Old ISOM 2000 text (539, 540 Special man-made features) Special man-made features are shown with these symbols. The definition of the symbols must be given in each case in the map legend. Colour: black.
Graphic implementation ((Suggestions))
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F539 0.16/Ø 0.7 Special Man-made feature (circle) slightly smaller (0.8->0.7)
F540 0.16/0.7x0.7 Special Man-made feature (cross) slightly smaller (0.8->0.7)
F539.1 0.16/0.8,0.8,0.8 Special Man-made feature (triangle) new
F539.2 0.16/0.7x0.7 Special Man-made feature (asterisk) new
Application •• Location is at the centre of gravity of the symbols. •• The symbols are orientated to north.
Corresponding symbols for the control description
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 114/133 539 Prominent man-made point feature 35
No. Picto Name Description
6.2 Special item Special item If used, an explanation of its meaning must be supplied to competitors in the prerace information.
6.2 Special item Special item If used, an explanation of its meaning must be supplied to competitors in the prerace information.
5.19 Charcoal burning The clear remains of an area where charcoal was burned. A small level man made area on a slope. (A ground platform).
Comments •• Slight decrease in size to decrease the visual impact of the symbols. They represent prominent features, but so do all the other ISOM symbols. •• Should new symbols be introduced? Two new symbols have been added for considerations.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 115/133 Technical symbols (black or blue) 1 Technical symbols (black or blue)
Technical symbols do not show features. Such symbols are used on all kinds of topographic maps. 601 Magnetic north line 602 Registration marks 603 Spot height (note: change title to spot heights and text???) 604 Media Wedge
601 Magnetic north line
Definition Magnetic north lines are lines placed on the map pointing to magnetic north, parallel to the sides of the paper. Their spacing on the map shall be 20 mm on the map which represents 300 m on the ground at the scale of 1:15 000. If the map is enlarged to 1:10000, the spacing of the lines will be 30 mm on the map. North lines shall be broken to improve the legibility of the map, for instance where they would obscure small features. In areas with very few water features, blue lines may be used.
Old ISOM 2000 text Magnetic north lines are lines placed on the map pointing to magnetic north. Their spacing on the map should be 33.33 mm which represents 500 on the ground at the scale of 1:15 000. For maps with other scales lines placing should be at intervals which represents a round number of meters (e.g. 50 m, 100 m, 250 m, 500 m) and the spacing should be between 20 mm and 40 mm on the map. North lines may be broken where they obscure small features such as boulders, knolls, cliffs, stream junctions, path ends, etc. In areas with very few water features, blue lines may be used. Colour: black (blue).
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F601.1 0.14 Magnetic north line, black none
F601.2 0.18 Magnetic north line, blue none
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 116/133 602 Registration marks 2 602 Registration marks
Definition At least three registration marks must be placed within the frame of a map in a non-symmetrical position. In addition, a colour check should be possible
Old ISOM 2000 text At least three registration marks must be placed within the frame of map in nonsymmetrical position. In addition, colour check should also be possible. Colour: all printed colours.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
F602 0.10, min. 4 mm Registration mark none
603 Spot height
Definition Spot heights are used for the rough assessment of height differences. The height is given to the nearest metre. Water levels are given without the dot.
Old ISOM 2000 text Spot heights are used for the rough assessment of height differences. The height is given to the nearest metre. The figures are orientated to the north. Water levels are given without the dot. Colour: black.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
603 ø 0.3/1.5 Spot height none
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 117/133 603 Spot height 3
Application •• The text is orientated to north. •• The text must not obscure details on the map.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 118/133 Overprinting Symbols (Course Setting) 1 Overprinting Symbols (Course Setting)
Courses shall be overprinted for all IOF events. The size of overprinting symbols is given for 1:15 000 maps. The size of overprinting symbols for 1:10000 maps shall be enlarged proportionally (150%), as for the map symbols. Overprinting symbols shall not mask out map symbols. The map symbols shall show through the overprinting symbols. This means that overprint effect, as described in the section on printing, shall be implemented also for the overprinting symbols. In addition, circles and lines should be cut to better show important map symbols. To ease map reading when approaching controls, it is generally a good idea to leave a gap between the control circle and the connecting line. 701 Start ((a bit smaller)) 702 Control point ((a bit smaller)) 703 Control number 704 Line 705 Marked route 706 Finish ((a bit smaller)) 707 Uncrossable boundary 708 Crossing point 709 Out-of-bounds area 710 Dangerous area ((to be eliminated)) 711 Forbidden route ((new graphical implementation suggested - ISMTBO version)) 712 First aid post ((a bit larger)) 713 Refreshment point ((a bit larger))
Comments It is suggested to always use direct magnification for course overprint with an increased (1:10000) map scale. The symbol sizes have been adjusted (most have been slightly decreased in size).
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 119/133 701 Start 2 701 Start
Definition The place, where the orienteering starts is shown by an equilateral triangle. The centre of the triangle shows the precise position where the orienteering starts. The start must be on a clearly identifiable point on the map. The triangle points in the direction of the first control.
Old ISOM 2000 text The start or map issue point (if not at the start) is shown by an equilateral triangle which points in the direction of the first control. The centre of the triangle shows the precise position of the start point. Colour: purple.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
701 6.0/0.35 Start In ISOM 2000: 7.0/0.35
702 Control point
Definition The control points are shown with circles. For point features, the centre of the circle shall be the center of the symbol. For line and area features, the centre of the circle shows the precise position of the control marker. Controls must always be placed on points that are clearly identifiable in the terrain from the map. Sections of circles should be omitted to leave important detail showing.
Old ISOM 2000 text The control points are shown with circles. The centre of the circle shows the precise position of the feature. Sections of circles should be omitted to leave important detail showing. Colour: purple.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
702 5.5/0.35 Control point In ISOM 2000: 6.0/0.35
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 120/133 703 Control number 3 703 Control number
Definition The number of the control is placed close to the control point circle in such a way that it does not obscure important detail. The numbers are orientated to north.
Old ISOM 2000 text The number of the control is placed close to the control point circle in such a way that it does not obscure important detail. The numbers are orientated to north. Colour: purple.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
703 4.0 pt Control number None.
704 Line
Definition Where controls are to be visited in order, the start, control points and finish are joined together by straight lines. Sections of lines should be omitted to leave important detail showing. It is recommended to include gaps at the ends in order to increase the readability of the underlying detail close to the control.
Old ISOM 2000 text Where controls are to be visited in order, the start, control points and finish are joined together by straight lines. Sections of lines should be omitted to leave important detail showing. Colour: purple.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
704 0.35 Line None
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 121/133 705 Marked route 4 705 Marked route
Definition A marked route is shown on the map with a dashed line.
Old ISOM 2000 text A marked route is shown on the map with a dashed line. Colour: purple.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
705 2.0/0.5/0.35 Marked route. None.
706 Finish
Definition The finish is shown by two concentric circles.
Old ISOM 2000 text The fish is shown by two concentric circles. Colour: purple.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
706 4.0/5.5/0.35 Finish In ISOM 2000: 5.0/7.0/0.35
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 122/133 707 Uncrossable boundary 5 707 Uncrossable boundary
Definition A boundary which it is not permitted to cross.
Old ISOM 2000 text A boundary which it is not permitted to cross. Colour: purple.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
707 0.7 Uncrossable boundary None.
708 Crossing point
Definition A crossing point through or over a wall or fence, or across a road or railway or through a tunnel or an out-of-bounds area is drawn on the map with two lines curving outwards.
Old ISOM 2000 text A crossing point through or over a wall or fence, or across a road or railway or through a tunnel or an out-of-bounds area is drawn on the map with two lines curving outwards. Colour: purple.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
708 0.6/3.0/0.35 Crossing point None.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 123/133 709 Out-of-bounds area 6 709 Out-of-bounds area
Definition An out-of-bounds area, see also symbol 528, is shown with vertical stripes. A bounding line may be drawn if there is no natural boundary, as follows: - a solid line indicates that the boundary is marked continuously (tapes, etc.) on the ground, - a dashed line indicates intermittent marking on the ground, - no line indicates no marking on the ground.
Old ISOM 2000 text An out-of-bounds area, see also symbol 528, is shown with vertical stripes. A bounding line may be drawn if there is no natural boundary, as follows: - a solid line indicates that the boundary is marked continuously (tapes, etc. on the ground, - a dashed line indicates intermittent marking on the ground, - no line indicates no marking on the ground. Colour: purple.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
709 0.6/0.25, edges none or 0.25 or 3.0/0.5/0.25 Out-of-bounds area None.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 124/133 710 Dangerous area 7 710 Dangerous area
Definition An area presenting danger to the competitor is shown with crosshatched diagonal lines.
Old ISOM 2000 text An area presenting danger to the competitor is shown with cross-hatched diagonal lines. Colour: purple.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
710 0.6/0.25/45 Dangerous area. None.
711 Forbidden route
Definition A route which is out-of-bounds is shown with crosses
Old ISOM 2000 text A route which is out-of-bounds is shown with crosses. Colour: purple.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
711 3.0/0.35 Forbidden route None.
711.1 Forbidden route Like in MTBO maps.
Note: Only one of 711 and 711.1 will make it into the ISOM.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 125/133 711 Forbidden route 8
Comments A new graphical implementation is suggested for forbidden route, to make it more suitable for lines.
712 First aid post
Definition The location of a first aid post.
Old ISOM 2000 text The location of a first aid post. Colour: purple.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
712 4.0/1.33 First aid post In ISOM 2000: 3.0/1.0
713 Refreshment point
Definition The location of refreshment point which is not at a control.
Old ISOM 2000 text The location of a refreshment point which is not at control. Colour: purple.
Graphic implementation
No Symbol Dimension [mm] Description Changes from ISOM 2000
713 3.5/0.40 Refreshment point In ISOM 2000: 3.0/0.35
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 126/133 Precise definition of symbols 1 Precise definition of symbols
Please note that what you will find below is the ISSOM2007 illustration. Similar illustrations will be made when the symbol and sizes have been determined. Note: dimensions are specified in mm. All drawings are magnified (10×) for clarity. The center of gravity is marked (x) when it is not unambiguous.
05/2013 ISOM revision, first draft 127/133 5 Printing 1 5 Printing
In the past, the majority of orienteering maps have been printed offset using spot colours. However, due to digital cartography many new printing technologies have been emerging, like CMYK colour separation (CMYK or 4-colour printing), or digital printing, like laser or inkjet printing. However, not many emerging printing techniques reached the quality of the spot colour printing so far. Moreover, its thoughtless use could spoil the very time consuming field surveying and map drawing process by a very poor legible printed map immediately and causes disappoints among map maker and unfair conditions for competitors. Consequently, any use of maps printed in another way than the benchmark “spot colour printing” for orienteering events must be tested carefully beforehand and for international events approved by IOF.
Colour In order to increase the legibility of the map, colour contrast and a clear light dark contrast must be achieved: Dark colours are preferably applied to point and line symbols, and area pattern. Light colours are preferably applied to area tones and coloured bands. Moreover, associative colours strengthen the differentiation between the main components of the map [2]. According these guidelines, the following basic colours have been chosen for orienteering maps. Due to emerging printing techniques, like CMYK separation or digital printing techniques, a unique definition of the colours by the Pantone Matching System (PMS), which is very much related to spot colour printing, isn’t anymore sufficient. In addition, the appearance of colours depends very much on the chosen print substrate e.g. coated, uncoated, or synthetic paper.
Colour Ink Association PMS CIELAB [1] CMYK-Separation [2]
% No L*/a*/b* C/M/Y/K
Black 100% Road and Track Network and Process 27.46/-0.76/-0.96 0/0/0/100 man-made feature Black
Dark grey 60% Paths and tracks or rock ? ?/?/? 0/0/0/60 (anthrasite)
Brown 100% Landform PMS 471 44.05/35.72/47.65 0/67/90/37
Yellow 100% Open area PMS 136 75.21/25.93/75.34 0/42/93/0
Blue 100% Water PMS 299 50.83/-23.51/-49.45 92/28/0/0
Green 100% Vegetation PMS 361 63.38/-48.7/43.51 74/0/92/0
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Grey 100% Bare rock PMS 428 75.49/-3.4/0.32 0/0/0/36
Purple 100% Overprinting for Course Setting PMS Purple 52.15/55.28/-38.63 44/77/0/0
Fig. 1: Definition of the basic colours in different colour spaces; PANTONE® Matching System PMS, CIELAB and approx. CMYK Colour separation values for coated paper. Note: if above values are used for printing, even with the same printing press on both papers coated Pretex and G-Paper, the results will be different. [1] L*a*b*-values measured on reference offset print / PrintTech Project Test Sheet 2006 / G-Print paper / ER-Paino Oy, Finland [2] calculated colour transformation, based on CMYK-profile ISOcoated V2 ECI, approx. values only
Paper / Print substrate Orienteering is an outdoor sport, where nasty weather conditions and rough handling must be considered. Therefore, maps must be waterproof against rainfall or salty sweat, tear-resistant and resistant to colour abrasion by folding and rough handling. However, competitors cannot rely unconfined on those properties. They must take care for it as best they can. Waterproof means that neither the paper nor the colours may disperse, if the map gets wet. These can be solved by sealing the map in a plastic bag or using waterproof colours and impregnated paper. Colour abrasion depends very much on the chosen type of paper and how colours have been fixed on the paper. Uncoated paper absorbs colour better, but the sharpness of lines is less. Coated paper has a better sharpness of lines, but the absorption of colours is less. Plastic sealed maps do not prevent colour abrasion. ((to do: Experience with abrasion of laser and inkjet printed maps)) Tear-resistant paper depends on its weight and ingredients. A paper with a weight of 80-120 gram per m2 is recommended, so that the map can be folded easily. Synthetic ingredients improve the resistance. However, synthetic paper can brake by folding, e.g. when temperatures are very low. Colour abrasion on such paper is weak. Plastic sealed map could protect paper from tearing apart.
Paper Sharpness Waterproof Colour adherence Tear-resistant Paper deformation Miscellaneous
Pretex coated + + +/- +/- +/-
Pretex uncoated - + +/ +/- +/-
G-Paper coated + - + +/- -
Polyart + + +/- ++ - Breaks at low temperatur
Fig. 2: Some examples of used paper and their properties, non-exhausting enumeration.
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Offset Printing Offset printing is a widely used printing technique where inked images are transferred or "offset" from a plate to a rubber blanket, then to the printing substrate. Based on the repulsion of oil and water, the offset technique uses a flat image carrier on which the image to be printed obtains ink from ink rollers, while the non-printing area attracts a film of water, keeping the non-printing areas ink-free. Based on this principle, there are two different practices common, the so called spot colour printing and CMYK or four colour printing.
Spot colour printing Spot colour printing technology prints pure ink on the paper. How many colours can be printed in a single run depends on how many inking units the printing machine has. Usually it has 1, 5 or 10 inking units. For orienteering maps, the colours to be printed are specified in up to 6 colours (excluding overprinting). The colours to be use are defined by the Pantone Matching System (PMS) see Fig. 2. The appearance of colours is dependent on the printing order very much, therefore the following printing order is recommended. 1. Black 2. Brown 3. Blue 4. Green 5. Gray 6. Orange ((former yellow, renamed due to misunderstanding with yellow of CMYK)) 7. Purple (overprint) This technique assures the use of a wide range of saturated colours, sharp lines, and transparency of glazing ((german: lasierenden )) colours. Therefore, this technique is suitable for high quality printing with few colours, like maps. As a result, spot colour printing is used for most topographic maps produced by national survey departments and commercial map publisher. The quality of spot colour offset printing in sharpness and colour saturation has not been achieved by any other printing technique so far and therefore it is still the benchmark. However, due to its limitation printing not more colours than available inking units in a single run, cost raises to carry out several runs for other coloured logos or graphics not defined by the spot colours for orienteering maps. Moreover, printing photo or full coloured advertisements it is not possible, it requires CMYK colour separation. Therefore, CMYK colour printing substitutes the spot colour printing more and more.
CMYK or 4-colour printing CMYK or 4-colour printing is widely used in the printing industry. It allows printing photos or full coloured images, and is very suitable for cost-effectively production of large volumes of high quality prints. However, this technique has restrictions and needs additional processing to achieve high quality prints. This must be done in the pre-press stage and is described in an international standard (ISO-Standard 15929 and 15930).
CMYK+ colour printing Most offset printing machines have a least 5 inking units. Therefore, within a single run, more than four colours can be printed in a single run, without great increasing costs. The advantage is that colours which are not problematic in the CMYK colour space (e.g. Black, Orange and Blue) are printed in CMYK colour separation mode, problematic colours (e.g. Green, Brown and Purple) printed in spot colour mode, and photo or full coloured advertisements can be printed as well in one single run [4].
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Pre-Press The pre-press procedure includes: colour separating, handling masking (=deleting) and transparency screening, and finally the manufacture of printing plates. Read more about pre-press
Delivering orienteering maps to the printer shop Up to now, orienteering maps are mostly delivered to print shops as PostScript files, separated for each spot colour. Nowadays the Portable Document Format (PDF) has become the standard file format for exchanging data between graphic designers and print shops. As a result, the latest improvements for pre-press stage are now based on PDF rather than PostScript. Moreover, several ISO standards (15929 and 15930) have been described in order to produce predictable results. It is called PDF/X and contains a subset of the PDF format, which checks the file for the required content as followed: •• PDF/X-1a:2001, Blind exchange in CMYK + Spot colours, based on PDF 1.3 •• PDF/X-3:2002, Allows CMYK, Spot, Calibrated (managed) RGB, CIELAB, with ICC Profile, based on PDF 1.3. •• PDF/X-1a:2003, revision of PDF/X-1a:2001 based on PDF 1.4 •• PDF/X-3:2003, revision of PDF/X-3:2002 based on PDF 1.4 •• PDF/X-4, Colour-managed, CMYK, grey, RGB or spot colour data are supported, as are PDF transparency and optional content Due to its standardized file format, PDF-output from mapping software is strongly recommended. For spot-colour printing PDF/X-1a is sufficient. PDF/X-4 is required, when spot-colour overprinting has to emulate transparency. However, in order to process such files without transparency flattening, a Raster Image Processor (RIP) that is compatible with PDF 1.4 is required. Currently not all print shops have such a RIP [3].
Digital Printing Digital printing considers printing an image from a computer to any digital device directly, without any intermediate stage as printing plates and mostly based on CMYK colour separation. Therefore, output devices must generate a bitmap from the vector-based file description. This task is handled by the RIP process. Laser and inkjet printing devices using dyes, toner or electrographic inks are most common. Such devices can be differentiated in printers for professional purposes (> 10’000 Euro) and office and home use (< 5’000 Euro). An emerging digital printing technique is Indigo – powered by Hewlett Packard –, which is a digital offset printing technique, with an enhanced CMYK colour space. Although all printers uses the CMYK colour separation – except spot colour printing –, most office and home printers interact on the level of the computers operating system (Windows XP, Vista or MacOS) according the principles of RGB colours. Consequently, the required transformation from RGB (via CIELAB) into CMYK colour space will be taken by the printer’s hardware or driver, without users has influence. Only printers for professional purposes such as proofing or large format printer dealing with the CMYK colour space, mostly controlled by Colour Management.
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Colour Laser Printing / Xerography Laser printing is a dry ink (toner) transfer technique. A laser beam projects an image onto electrical charged rotating drum. Dry ink particles are then electrostatically picked up by the drum’s charged areas. Then the drum transfers the image directly onto the substrate. For coloured images this process is repeated 4 times, according the CMYK colour separation. Finally the toner is fused and fixed on the paper by heat. Despite higher cost per page than offset printing methods, colour laser printers are widely spread in almost every office, even in every home, due its simple use. Therefore, it is alluringly to use such device printing orienteering map. However, such colour laser printer hasn’t yet reach the quality of spot colour printing, neither CMYK colour offset printing. However, some printers for professional purposes achieve the quality of CMYK colour offset printing. The lack of quality is based on several factors. First of all, due to individually implementation of xerography to colour laser devices and their provided proprietary Raster Image Process software (RIP), no international standard could be established or is worthless to do so. Therefore every colour laser printer series must be treated by itself. This makes it very difficult to give any general recommendations. Nevertheless, the following facts should be considered. Colour laser printing uses the CMYK colour separation. This colour space is limited compared to colour space of spot colours. Therefore the Brown, Green and Purple colour defined for orienteering maps cannot be simulated exactly [4]. In addition, dry toner particle cannot physically be mixed, as fluid ink drops can. Therefore, sharp thin lines are more difficult to achieve. This effect could be is solved using halftoning in pre-press stage like in CMYK colour offset printing. However, most office and home colour laser printer are provided by a poor RIP-software. It does not support sufficient halftoning, overprinting or transparency. Moreover, running several colours one after another adds complexity to the printing process. Very slight misalignments known as registration errors can occur between printing each colour. This can be caused either by a poor adjusted drum or high differences of temperatures running the printer for a very long time. The result is unintended colour fringing, blurring, or light/dark streaking along the edges of colour regions. To permit high registration accuracy, some colour laser printers use a large rotating belt called a "transfer belt", which is mostly provided only by business colour laser printer. Therefore, office and home colour laser printers are not recommended for printing orienteering maps. However, business colour laser printers, with sophisticated RIP-software may reach the level of CMYK colour offset printing.
Inkjet Inkjet printing is a wet ink transfer technique. An ink jet of variable-sized droplets projects an image onto a substrate. The droplets are created from continuous ink jet by different physical approaches: vibration create by acoustic waves, rapid vaporisation by heating (e.g. Canon, Hewlett-Packard, and Lexmark) or applying voltage one piezoelectric material (e.g. Epson). After generating the droplets, they are electronically charged and passed through an electrostatic field, where there are directed onto printing substrate. Inkjet printers are widely spread in almost every office and homes, due its simple use and inexpensive cost. Inkjets have a number of advantages. They can print finer, smoother details through higher print head resolution, because fluid ink drops can fuse. Therefore, inkjet printers are used for colour proofs (see below) and could be a good alternative for low volume and individualized orienteering maps. However, there is one big disadvantage, besides the ink is often very expensive. The inks used are usually water-based (aqueous) water-soluble. Therefore care must be taken with inkjet-printed documents to avoid even the smallest drop of water, which can cause severe "blurring" or "running." Moreover, in comparison with the laser printer, most inkjet printers simply take an incoming stream of data and directly imprint it in a slow lurching process that may include pauses as the printer waits for more data. The printer cannot stop the mechanism precisely enough to wait until more data arrives, without creating a visible gap or misalignment of the dots on the printed page [3].
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Therefore, office and home inkjet printers are not recommended for printing orienteering maps, unless those maps are sealed with plastic bags.
Overprinting effect With traditional spot colour printing, inks are physically printed on top of each other. It is possible to simulate the same with four-colour printing technique, and this optimises legibility and gives a colour appearance as close to traditional spot colour printing as possible. To achieve this effect in four-colour offset printing, information underlying (in the spot colour printing order described in ((3.5.1???))) a specific spot colour should not be blocked out (erased / printed white) completely, but should be blended in to produce a new colour for printing. The use of overprinting effect with 4-color offset printing is recommended for the following solid colors: •• 100%Violet •• 100%Black •• 100%Brown •• 100%Blue •• 100%Green
Illustration: Contours in dense vegetation printed in 4-colours. Overprinting effect in the right illustration.
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