Does anyone know if these exist? I've never seen or heard of quad maps in vector form, only digital raster, but it sure would be useful. I know there's some computer/smartphone software that displays topo maps in vector form but as far as I know they're not true quadrangles, simply a topo map.
Also, I know FEMA is in the process of moving the FIRM maps to digital vector format; would the USGS also do the same for updated quads? Just curious. Thanks.
Corbitt
You can get some of them as Digital Line Graphics (DLG) via: http://eros.usgs.gov/#/Guides/dlg
The USGS is moving towards delivery of all of their products in the GEOPDF format. You can view them in the standard adobe viewer and also get the plugin to adobe for free that gives you much more versatility. These will be supported soon in both ArcMap and Autocad products.
You can turn on an off select layers just like in AutoCAD (you will see a new sidebar on the left in the adobe viewer) and the current maps all have images behind them. They are georeferenced and I have just begun to start using and exploring them. I have been using them lately for a project at our lakes and they are handy to use as I can show from 1946 up to current with the ones available.
I have a word document that shows details of how to use them in adobe but have no place to host the document.
And of course you can still get all the other products such as the DEM, DLG and Tiger files but I think this is where they are heading as far as publishing in the future.
To add to Deral's post, the GeoPDF plug-in for Acrobat (and I think Adobe Reader-I'm not sure) will let you create and import/export waypoints for use with handheld GPS units. Great for recon. This is pretty cool stuff.
Dale Yawn
Savannah, Ga.
The free plug-in works in the standard free adobe reader that everyone already has on their computer.
We produce vector quads in dwg format.
There used to be a GIS company in Houston, Texas
that vectorized and layered 7.5' quad maps for $95
It must have been hard to stay pace with Google map.
Anyone know why the section lines aren't on the new GEO maps?
I realize this is a little late in coming, but I was cleaning up some stuff on my computer and came upon this.
http://topodepot.com/freesample.aspx