It is now possible to view vector maps on top of ECW compressed bitmaps, such as high resolution ortho-photos and scanned historical maps displaying digital forest and agricultural areas.

If the ECW compressed background is not in a fixed scale, which can be the case with historical maps or hand drawn drain maps, PC-MAP has implemented fast matrix-operations for transforming the vector map to fit the rendered background.

All lines drawn when this option is selected will automatically be reverse-calculated. They will be saved in the vector map with the correct coordinates in the original geographical system.

"The ECW component from ER-MAPPER has given us the opportunity to combine the vector map with digital air photos and raster-based maps, enhancing our customers use of both products," KW-PLAN managing director Klaus Wunsch said.

"The ECW technology has proved to be fast, easy to use and very reliable."