The Adobe PDF map files represent maps that were created at a size of 33 inches by 36 inches in order to show all the detail necessary to identify census block, tract and voting district boundaries. Adobe Acrobat Reader version 4.0 or higher is needed to view these maps. When you first bring the PDF map image up on your computer screen it will display the entire map. In most cases the size of the features will be too small for easy identification. However, you can use the Adobe Acrobat Reader’s zoom function to enlarge a portion of the map to more clearly see the features. To do this click on the “Zoom in Tool” (the magnifying glass icon) on the menu bar by putting the cursor on it and clicking the left mouse button. Then move your cursor (which was changed to a magnifying glass with a plus sign inside) down to the map image to one corner of the area that you want to enlarge. While holding the left mouse button down drag the cursor across the map to create a box around the area that you want to enlarge. When you release the button the area within the box that you drew will enlarge to fit the screen. You can repeat this step as often as necessary to get a s atisfactory enlargement. To get back to the original display or to reduce the amount of zoom either choose the appropriate function from the “View” menu or click on one of the page icons to the left of the binocular icon on the menu bar.
Another useful feature of the Adobe Acrobat Reader is the ability to move around within the enlarged image. This is called panning. If, after you have zoomed in on the map image, you want to see an area of the map just off the current screen you can move (pan) the image around to get to this other area. Select the “Hand Tool” function (hand icon) on the tool bar by placing the mouse cursor on it and clicking the left mouse button. Your cursor is now shaped like a hand. Put the cursor anywhere on the screen and click and hold the left mouse button. You can now drag the map image around the screen to move a new area of the map into view.
These maps are designed for a paper sheet size of 33 inches by 36 inches because of the tremendous amount of detail that they must show for a given area. Therefore, printing the entire map sheet on to a much smaller sheet of paper will not provide a usable image. However, a user has several options for getting printed copies. The first is to use a large format plotter capable of printing the 33 by 36 inch sheets. To accurately reproduce the original colors and patterns of the original map the plotter should have a PostScript card.
The other option for a full size copy of the entire map sheet is to purchase a copy from the U.S. Census Bureau (301-763-INFO(4636), $8.00 per map sheet, with a minimum order of 5 map sheets).
Printing a Small Portion of a Map
If the user needs just a small portion of the map printed it can be done with a typical printer available to the average user of a Windows®-based personal computer. This involves using the “cut and paste” function of Windows. Move the cursor to the “T” icon on the menu bar near the top of the Adobe Acrobat Reader screen. With the cursor on the “T”, click and hold the left mouse button and drag the cursor down and to the right slightly until the other options appear next to the “T”. Still holding the mouse button down, slide the cursor over to the icon on the far right of that box. The label “Graphics Select Tool” will appear (with a tiny white square and a black spot). Release the mouse button and that icon will replace the “T” on the menu bar. When you move the cursor down to the map it will now be a cross hair instead of an arrow. Place the cursor at a
corner of the area that you wish to copy and, while holding down on the left mouse key, drag the cursor diagonally
to the opposite corner of the area that you want to copy and release the mouse button. You should see a rectangle formed by a dotted line on the screen marking the boundaries of the area that you want to copy. Now press the two keys “Ctrl” and “C” simultaneously and the image will be copied to the Windows Clip Board. Or, you can move the cursor up to the “Edit” command on the menu bar and select “Copy”. Now start the Windows application that you wanted to copy the map to (for example Paint or Word). Put the cursor on the screen location where you want the image and press the two keys “Ctrl” and “V” simultaneously and the image will appear.
If it didn't, you need to refer the application's instructions for copying information from the Window's clipboard. Once the map image is in the Windows application you can print it as you would print anything else in the application.
If you are unable to copy from the on-line map, or when you paste the graphic into an application, the result is a solid black square, try saving the file to your hard drive. To save the PDF to your hard drive, click on "File" and select "Save As" from the menu. Once on your hard drive, the file may be opened in Adobe Acrobat Reader version 4.0 or higher. Use the graphic tool to select the area to be printed. Copy and paste into any application that handles graphics e.g. Word, WordPerfect, Paint or PowerPoint. Print.
If all else fails, visit the Adobe Web site for help with configuring browsers, troubleshooting printer problems, and other issues related to Adobe Acrobat.
