Mapping software for allotments not plot

[alisonwo]

As secretary of our allotments I want to do a decent map of the site instead of just squares or rectangles with the plot number on them.  Can anyone recommend some mapping software that is easy to use.  I currently use either Excel (yes I know, but at least I can snap them to a grid), or Powerpoint, equally as pathetic.  It is driving me nuts, help would be appreciated. thanks alison

[alisonwo]

[Bill Door]

I don't know how proactive you are but the is a program called "draw" on the open office suite.

You will need to download the program from this site

http://freedownloads.us.com/products/openoffice2/suite.php?pk=11153

you will then have to work out how to do it.  I can't say that it is easy but the more you use it the better you get.

After all you can't do much in the allotment at the present time.

Best of luck

regards
Bill

[Unwashed]

Alison, I suspect the more difficult problem is how to survey your site.  Once you have the survey data I think something like Google's Sketchup could manipulate it, and I think you may also be able to add the survey model to Google Earth, but I don't have experience with this so I'm not sure.  How had you thought to survey the site?

[100mph]

You could consider grabbing a screenshot of the satellite image of your field from an online mapping website.
Once you've got the screenshot put it into a graphics package to draw outlines around the plots.
Should your field be very large merging multiple screenshots will work but will be a lot more tricky.

HTH.

[daveyboi]

I was recently trying to do a plan of some land and tried several programs including all those mentioned so far and after many hours getting more and more frustrated with them gave up and drew it to scale on paper and then scanned it into the computer which was a hell of a lot quicker.

[gavinjconway]

We have a hand me down copy of our site from the council.. It is a map type drawing to scale so every plot is drawn in.

[pumkinlover]

there is a software programme for allotments called "mycolony" there may be something like it on there but it is a package that you have to "rent".

[andyswarbs]

If you want to analyse you site then see also my post http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/smf/index.php/topic,73987.0.html

If instead you are "simply" after drawing the layout of your site with all the plots then I recommend DIA which is free.
andy

[Melbourne12]

If you want something that will draw a plan from your measurements, then my choice would be Microsoft Visio.  You don't necessarily need the latest version - earlier versions are cheap to buy.  I've got Visio 2003, which only cost me around £30.  You can even get special templates for parks and gardens, so you can show trees etc.

[andyswarbs]

If you don't want to buy Visio try https://wiki.gnome.org/action/show/Apps/Dia?action=show&redirect=Dia