Although internet maps have much in common with traditional paper maps, there are a few important differences. For example, maps created using the Advanced Mapping Tool contain information separated into groups called data "layers". A layer generally represents a single set of objects such as watersheds, lakes, or roads in a given area. One of the advantages of using a North Coast Explorer internet map is that you can pick and choose what layers you are interested in and you can control what the map looks like by only "turning on" the layers that you want to look at.

This tutorial will show you how to use the Advanced Mapping Tool. After this tutorial you should be able to use any OSU Libraries' Natural Resources Digital Library Internet mapping applications successfully. We recommend that beginners take the guided tour of the Advanced Mapping Tool. This will take about fifteen minutes to complete and will start with basic internet mapping concepts. However, more advanced users may want to select a specfic topic by selecting the Table of Contents tab above.

For an introduction to the tools and methods that you will use to navigate around a map and find answers to your questions, please begin our tutorial.

Begin Tutorial.

Download entire tutorial as a PDF file (769 KB).