Topo maps w terrain only, no roads?

[SpaceBadger]

Anybody know a source (preferably online) for viewing/creating topographical maps with only the terrain features and elevation lines, no roads or towns?

I was inspired by this article on creating your own maps w Google Maps, but I'd like to be able to use this for colony worlds and the like, copying useful bits of real geography and then adding spaceport, housing, etc as appropriate for the colony.

I've used a variety of map and satellite photo sites in the past for useful overviews of our farm, but none seem to have the ability to remove the overlay of roads, etc - a pity, since in some of these, such as the Map view with Terrain in Google Maps, you are clearly seeing photos with a layer overlaid to mark the roads and towns.

 

[aramis]

The USGS has reference maps available, but only in gis file formats.
http://nationalmap.gov/viewer.html

 

[SpaceBadger]

The USGS has reference maps available, but only in gis file formats.
http://nationalmap.gov/viewer.html

Wow, with all of the layer options, this is just what I was looking for.

Now if I could find one just like this for the British Isles...

Thanks, Wil. I hope things are continuing to improve for Steph.

 

[SpaceBadger]

Figured out how to do something close in Google Maps - toggle the Map/Satellite view to Satellite, then hover over the dropdown menu and uncheck Labels.

Unfortunately, the Satellite view tends to flatten everything, 45 degree view is not available everywhere, and I can't find anything to turn on a topographical elevation overlay to show the lay of the land.

 

[Timerover51]

This is not online, but I use the map editors of Civilization 3, Age of Empires 3, and Rise of Nations. If I could get Age of Empires 2 to work on my Mac, I would use that as well.

 

[SpaceBadger]

This is not online, but I use the map editors of Civilization 3, Age of Empires 3, and Rise of Nations. If I could get Age of Empires 2 to work on my Mac, I would use that as well.

Great idea, had not thought of that! Will have to compare and see if I like results better w Civ 3 or Civ 4. How do you export, just do screenshots and then stitch them together in graphics app?

 

[JimMarn]

A site of topo maps and satellite views I used for my now defunct drive-in movie theater web site is at: http://msrmaps.com/

 

[Timerover51]

Great idea, had not thought of that! Will have to compare and see if I like results better w Civ 3 or Civ 4. How do you export, just do screenshots and then stitch them together in graphics app?

I keep the tile overlays on, take screen shots, and then stitch them together using Photoshop Elements.