real-world urban cartographic software?

[flyingmonkey]

ESRI's ArcGIS is the "industry" standard for creating maps in the GIS world, but it's by no means the only one out there. And If your main interest is cartography, then there are better solutions IMO.

If your looking to get into the "real world" mapping world, I recommend Manifold from Manifold Systems. Manifold is a full-on, professional level GIS, that does every-thing ArcGIS 9.2 (plus extensions) will do for a fraction of the cost. I believe the current price for the basic edition is $245.00. The "basic edition" is packed with so much functionality you could spend the next year just figuring the thing out. Seriously. And for $395.00 you can get the "super" edition that includes some great 3D terrain tools, topological commands, image manipulation...I think it even comes with the ability to publish your maps online through a proprietary webserver. Manifold also exports direclty to Illustrator which is awesome. http://www.manifold.net
Manifold also ships with some good world base map data. The learning curve isn't that steep either. After a solid weekend of working in it you will know how to compile a nice base-map.

Another option is to avoid buying a "real GIS" altogether and use Avenza's Mapublisher plugin and Illustrator. This plugin allows you to work with GIS files within Illustrator, query attributes, create labels, reference imagery et cetera. It's super powerful for a plugin and very common in the world of big wall maps. It's like a "mini-GIS". I use it along with ArcGIS and Illustrator. The downside is the price, which runs around $800 (if I remember correctly...don't quote me on that) http://www.avenza.com

Hopefully this helps. FM

[NeonKnight]

Not sure, but CC3 has a new map style out this month:

http://sub.profantasy.com/2007/september07.html

[jaerdaph]

Not sure, but CC3 has a new map style out this month:

http://sub.profantasy.com/2007/september07.html

Ralf really outdid himself with this month's Cartographer's Annual. I've been having fun playing with the 19th century city mapping tools.