GIS and Motion Graphics in The Unforeseen

GIS in The Unforeseen

A question repeatedly asked at screenings is “How were all the map-related motion graphics created for The Unforeseen?” The short answer is, we used a tool called Avenza MAPublisher to get GIS data into Adobe Illustrator.

For the unitiated, GIS is the general term for data formats describing geospatial data. This usually means infrastructure. Phone Lines, Railroad Tracks, Sewage Pipes, Street Names, etc. are often available in various GIS format.

MAPublisher plugs into Adobe Illustrator. Once installed, users can import vector map data directly into Illustrator. It takes some getting used but once you get the hang of it, it’s easy.

Thankfully, Austin maintains one of the best GIS repositories around. What makes it great? It not only has common civic features like Zip Codes, Voting Precincts, Railroad Lines and the like, it even has Historical Landmarks, Trees in Downtown and even the location of all Austin’s Moonlight Towers.

In the film’s most complex sequence, the following GIS elements were incorporated:

  • Austin Street Names
  • Austin “Center lines” or Street Lines
  • Austin Water Lines
  • Austin Sewer Lines
  • TxDOT’s Major Highways File

Additionally, we needed before and after Aerial Photos so that the pre-developed and developed lands could be shown. They also were available from the City.

As for how each piece was animated, revealed and “flown over” that is a much longer story. Working in motion graphics? Looking for a new sidearm? Bite the bullet, spend the $1200 for the plugin and be BLOWN AWAY. An entire new genre of infrastructure-accurate motion design is waiting to be born.

June 28, 2007 | Filed Under Documentary

By Jef |

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