Even in the absence of cad jobs in the early years, maps had already been traced and prepared since people started investigating the earth's surface. In fact, explorers, warriors, and traders have all been using maps as their best reference guides for navigating around the world, and even establishing property rights to various places. The earliest surviving maps were designed on clay tablets more than 3,000 years ago. Early civilizations, such as Egyptians and the Greeks, used maps drawn on papyrus to show a specific trade route or to trace the conquests of an army. These maps were often not detailed in terms of geographic features but nevertheless provided important records of land use. During this early period, advance initiatives and strategies were made such as the establishment of a system to create more uniform and accurate mapping procedures.
In the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries map making had begun to change because of the impact of the world travel, even without cad employment or any assistance of computer software. Explorers such Christopher Columbus began to observe and collect geographic information from around the world and used this information to make maps. Specific geographic features, such as the location of a natural harbor or a dangerous coastline, were documented and then used to chart courses of safe navigation.
Map making continued to develop as surveying and other means of mathematical measurements evolved. Today, the most sophisticated computer and satellite technology is used in compiling geographic information and planning and drafting maps with auto cad job applications. Modern cartographers utilize both manual and computerized drafting instruments with cad design, standard mathematical formulas, photogrammetric techniques, and precision stereoplotting apparatus. They work along with other mapping scientist to plan and draft maps and charts with the aid of advanced technological tools. For example, a cartographer may work with a land surveyor to interpret geographic information and transfer that information into a series of symbols that are plotted onto a map. Cartographers must therefore be skilled in reading and understanding detailed photographs or drawings and must be able to use drafting tools to create an accurate representation of these data. They must also be able to plot the names of places onto overlays from which a final map is made. Cartographers often work with old maps, using updated information to keep these maps current. Research may also be a part of the job, with much time being devoted to applying computers to map making.
Technological advances have significantly changed the cartographer's job. In the last few years, computer and satellite technology has been applied with great success to the field integrated with computer software like in drafter cad jobs. For example, video signals from a satellite detector are digitized and transmitted to earth where a computer process is used to read the data and create a map with enhanced geographic patterns, such as vegetation and soils. With the addition of computer mapping software and data merging software through cad jobs or cad design jobs program, this technology allows mapping exercises to be done in a fraction of the time that it once took. It also permits far larger amounts of data to be collected with just the flip of a switch. Clearly computer-driven display devices will be the primary map making tools of the future. Therefore, cartographers must be trained in computer science. Furthermore, several areas of specialization within the field of cartography exist. Cartography supervisors design maps, as well as coordinate and oversee the activities of all those involved in the map making process. Supervisors are often employed in larger map making operations. With the application of drafter cad jobs, cartographic drafters prepare the maps by detailing natural and constructed features, political boundaries, various locations, highways, oceans, and other features in consistent and precise procedures.