Good/Best program(s) for making Topo's???

I was just wondering if anyone out there knew of a good program for making topos. I have used BetaCreator which is awesome for photo-topos but I am looking for something that will help me make nice topos that will print out well in B&W. I have tried M.S. Paint and the results were...amateur at best.
Thanks In Advance
Nick

The best? Probably Adobe Illustrator. A free alternative that also may work well is Inkscape ( inkscape.org/ ). Basically you want a vector-based drawing tool.

Ryan Nevius wrote:The best? Probably Adobe Illustrator. A free alternative that also may work well is Inkscape ( inkscape.org/ ). Basically you want a vector-based drawing tool.

+1

easy, AutoCAD

there are many free versions of CAD software. You could also try sketchup. I'm an architect and draw contours/topos all the time, it would be MUCH easier using CAD instead of a vector based software.

buckie06 wrote:easy, AutoCAD there are many free versions of CAD software. You could also try sketchup. I'm an architect and draw contours/topos all the time, it would be MUCH easier using CAD instead of a vector based software.

AutoCad would be terrible for route topos. I'm not sure the OP is looking to draw site contours.

Try the built-in tool on Mountain Project! It's an updated version of the BetaCreator, and works right in the web site.

To use it: when uploading a photo, check the box that says "Add Topo Data" to the photo after uploading.

For symbol topos I use Betaflash

buckie06 wrote:easy, AutoCAD there are many free versions of CAD software. You could also try sketchup. I'm an architect and draw contours/topos all the time, it would be MUCH easier using CAD instead of a vector based software.

Pretty sure AutoCad is vector based

wivanoff wrote: Pretty sure AutoCad is vector based

That's correct.

Yes, AutoCAD is vector based. I use it at work every day - I have tried to draw topos with it, and it is kind of a pain. It works - kind of - but illustrator is definitely a better option than ACAD or SketchUp.

A cheaper alternative to Illustrator is Serif Draw Plus. It is vector based as well. The same as Illustrator, though fewer features, but also easier to use.

vector based is nice. Illustrator if you have it, inkscape if you don't already have illustrator.
Inkscape is opensource, free, easy enough to learn basic functions, and updated regularly. Export to jpeg or png and you will have a photo file that can be put on websites, printed, or viewed on smartphones.

SerifDrawPlus is paid software from what I recall, so same argument for what was already said. If you own it use it, if not learn opensource software and never have to pay for an update.

NickMartel wrote:I was just wondering if anyone out there knew of a good program for making topos. I have used BetaCreator which is awesome for photo-topos but I am looking for something that will help me make nice topos that will print out well in B&W. I have tried M.S. Paint and the results were...amateur at best. Thanks In Advance Nick

It sounds like you have already made some nice photo topos (elevation topo -- not to be confused with bird's eye/plan topo) and you are just wanting a nice, clear black and white version. So instead of redrawing all the lines and producing a line-only climbing topo (those are still cool, but come from the necessity to record routes without photos, which nowadays ins't so much the case) take your base photograph in to Photoshop or some sort of freeware program, use a black and white filter and adjust the photo contrast, levels, sharpen, etc. so that you know it will print out clearly in black in white. Then, reapply your overlay lines, and you have a nice, clear black and white version.