Description and Background:
The Portable Document Format (PDF): A file format from Adobe Systems for representing documents independent of the original application software, hardware, and operating system used to create those documents. A PDF file is a document containing any combination of text, graphics, and images in a device independent and resolution independent format. PDF is a published and open ISO standard file format.
GeoPDF: TerraGo has created a plug-in for Adobe Acrobat that allows one to embed a coordinate system and attribute data into the PDF maps you create. By using TerraGo’s tools, one can create and view the georeferenced PDF.
Key Capabilities:
The GeoPDF file that is created has ADRG quality-with ECRG/CADRG size. The file is (but does not have to be) a standard NGA product (including but not limited to JOG, TPC, TLM). The files can be used for demand-based printing. The GeoPDF provides a standard format for use and exchange of GIS documents with non-GIS users and allows them to leverage valuable geospatial assets. By the using the free Adobe Reader (which comes in multiple languages with an intuitive interface - no training required) along with the free TerraGo GeoPDF Toolbar, the end user can: view multiple coordinate displays (including MGRS and USNG) | capture coordinates / go to Google Maps | measure area / length | use GPS Tracking (if device has GPS capabilities) | import/export geospatial format
Current Status:
The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) produces GeoPDF files for all new/updated maps. These maps are packaged by country for distribution via the DLA Map Catalog, web sites and hard drives. AGC and USGS have partnered to produce coverages for all 50 states along with the USA Territories. These GeoPDF datasets and tens of thousands of other GeoPDF maps, imagery (BuckEye) and products (such as the Engineering Route Studies and Urban Tactical Planners) are available via AGC’s website’s GeoPDF pages, from the Online Common Map Background tool (https://agcwfs.agc.army.mil/CMB_Online/default.aspx), our newest tool for quick easy download of a few files; CMB-Lite (https://agcwfs.agc.army.mil/CMB_Lite/index.html) or from our Data Dissemination Team via our online order form (https://www.agc.army.mil/Home/CMB-Request-Form). AGC also produces and has in the GeoPDF format Country Overviews, Cultural Mapping, Urban Water Graphics, and non-NGA maps.
PKI website: https://cac.agc.army.mil/Products/MapArchive
SIPRNET: www.agc.army.smil.mil/Products/MapArchive
JWICS: www.agc.ic.gov/Products/MapArchive
Point of Contact
For more information contact Ray Caputo at raymond.g.caputo@usace.army.mil | 703.428.6784,
Matt Jones at matthew.t.jones@usace.army.mil | 703.428.0181 or at DLL-AGC-TERRAIN@usace.army.mil