README FILE

At the top directory level of this CDROM, the user will find this readme file 
and two directories named 'noamer' and 'view'.

The directory named 'noamer' contains the VMap level 1 (VMap1) data. The next 
level within the directory 'noamer' contains two metadata files ('dht' and 
'lat') and two directories named 'lib_017' and 'rference'. The directory
'lib_017' is the VMap1 library where the actual data resides. The directory
'rference' is a reference library for North America (noamer). The lib_017 is
332 megabytes and the rference is 0.3 megabytes.

The directory named 'view' contains a tailored view, 'lib_017', that CANADA
has created to be used with the VPFVIEW software version 2.1. The user must 
have VPFVIEW software version 2.1 for the view to work as intended. VPFVIEW 
Version 2.1 is available to all users from NIMA's home page 
(http://www.nima.mil) on the Internet.

LIBRARY
The library contained on this CD is the library 017.

REFERENCE LIBRARY
The reference library for this database was built to describe the limits of 
VMap libraries as they existed at the time of production. While the coverage 
limits of these libraries are essentially static, there are occasional small 
modifications to limits in order to better reflect sovereignty, production 
schedules and other factors. A change to libraries' boundaries will drive an 
update to the reference library and will be reflected on all disks produced 
subsequent to the change. A change to the reference library will not be 
sufficient to drive the release of a new library (disk) edition. The most up 
to date reference library available at the time where the CD was pressed has 
been used. National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA) of United States 
provided this reference library.

ACCESS TO FILES
This CD-ROM contains a default view, which was created in VPFVIEW version 2.1.
In order to use this view:

1- Start the VPFVIEW software program. Select FILE - VIEW - CREATE from the 
   pulldown menu and follow the normal view creation procedure from the CD-ROM. 

2- Replace the default.sym and themes files in your system's view created
   by the ones located on the CD-ROM view under lib_017. 

3- Unprotect themes file from writing (THE THEMES FILE WILL BE EDITED AND IF IT
   IS WRITE PROTECTED, THE FILE TYPE WILL CHANGE AFTER THE SAVE AND VPFVIEW WILL
   NOT RECOGNIZE THE FILE).

4- Edit the themes file in your system's view created and replace the
   path of the database by the one written in the env file in your system's
   view created.  

At this point, start the VPFVIEW software program. Select FILE - VIEW - LOAD 
from the pulldown menu. Answer YES to reopen VPFVIEW and the symbology of the 
new default.sym file should appear in the FEATURE SELECTION list.

METADATA
The VPF structure allows for metadata to be input at all levels within the 
data. As such, CANADA has utilized this capability to provide users with 
information regarding assumptions and interpretations, to describe source 
deficiencies, and to explain conventions that have been adopted during 
production. For Canadian libraries, four data quality tables can be used at 
different level of the library: the LINEAGE.DOC, two different DQAREA.AFT and 
finally the DQLINE.LFT table. Documentation/Narrative files are also used at 
the features level.

Library level:
LINEAGE.DOC 

The LINEAGE.DOC (table 31) is used at the library level to give more 
information on the production methodology including library specific 
production problems and resolutions along with a consolidated list of sources 
and dates. It also provides metadata that cannot be correlated in one of the 
available fields of the DQAREA.AFT table (table 88).

The lineage.doc for Canadian libraries is organized in 5 sections:
1) Introduction
2) List of 250K NTS used in Library
3) General production process:
        Gives information on:
                The supplement to the extraction guidelines, the contour
                generation method, the extraction rules for toponymy, the
                lakes and river source creation, the boundary collection
                process and any other general production process used for
                VMap1 generation.
4) Extraction decisions: 
        This section gives extraction decisions which resulted from discussions
        and agreements between the Department of National Defence (DND) and
        Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) staff for the production of VMap1 data
        from the National Topographic Data Base (NTDB) at scale 250K.
5) Miscellaneous: 
        Any other information not directly related to other sections such as
        portrayal criteria can be found in this section.

DQ coverage level:
DQAREA.AFT (table 88) and DQLINE.LFT (table 86)

The DQAREA.AFT (table 88) and the DQLINE.LFT (table 86) tables are placed at 
the DQ coverage level. They respectively contain information on the source 
data set and on edgematching problems that occurred between two adjacent data 
sets. The coordinates used to create the DQAREA.AFT (table 88) are the four 
geographic coordinates of the NTDB data set (NTS 250K Map). The final 
DQAREA.AFT conforms to the GEOREF Tiling Schema.

Elevation coverage level:
DQAREA.AFT (table 69)

Another DQAREA.AFT table (table 69) can be placed in the elevation coverage in 
coincidence with a void collection area to indicate that spot elevations were 
retained in glaciers or mining areas but approximate contour lines were 
deleted. This DQAREA.AFT is a feature-related table.

Feature level:

Documentation/Narrative files

These files are used to describe collection strategies for features. They also 
describe conventions used when populating specific attributes and are 
associated with columns within tables.

Metadata tables not used:

The DQPOINT.PFT (table 66), DQNODE.PFT (table 67), DQTEXT.TFT (table 70), and 
DQLINE.LFT (table 68) tables are not used, hence these Data Quality features are not used either.

SOURCE DEFICIENCIES
VMap1 Canadian libraries are produced from the National Topographic Data Base
(NTDB). This database has been produced primarily from hardcopy source data.
Specific source information can be found in the Data Quality coverage. In
addition, a number of irreconcilable differences exist at sheet boundaries,
largely the result of varying or divergent source dates.

VPF IMPORT
VPF data set horizontal resolution of the geographic coordinates is stored in 
the equivalent precision of 0.02 arc-second or 0.000005 decimal degrees. 
Importing VPF data at a coarser resolution may result in topological errors.

VPF FORMAT
This version of VMap1 conforms to the current version of Vector Product Format 
Standard (MIL-STD-2407), published on June 28, 1996.

VMAP DISTRIBUTION- LIBRARY 017

Reference: Vector Map Co-production Working Group (VACWG) Terms of Reference 
and Principles

The enclosed VMAP CD-ROM is distributed in accordance with the agreed upon 
VACWG principles. The information and data are authorized for use and 
reproduction by VACWG member countries for defence purposes only.

SPECIAL NOTE
Release to VMap Co-producing Nations. VMap Co-producing Nations are authorized 
to use and produce this VMap data for defence purposes only (VaCWG Terms of 
Reference and Principles). Please forward all third party  release requests to 
J2 Geomatics.

NOTE SPCIALE
Diffusion aux pays coproducteurs de VMap. Les pays coproducteurs de VMap sont 
autoriss  utiliser et  reproduire les prsentes donnes VMap  des fins de
dfense uniquement (Fonctions, attributions et principes directeurs du VaCWG).
Veuillez transmettre au J2 Gomatique toutes les demandes de diffusion  une
tierce partie.

APPROVAL
The content of the library and metadata tables has been standardized and 
approved by the Department of National Defence of Canada.
