Urban Design Techniques
Creating Transport Diagrams
Creating transport diagrams with key information is a important skill for urban designers from students to professionals. Below is a simple step-by-step guide describing how to create a simple but effective transport diagram for a neighbourhood. The same method can be used on all scales. I have chosen to use free software to make the process available to everybody.
OK, to make a map such a the one above, we need to use either Photoshop or a similar program. I am going to use Paint.net which free as is described hear. Photoshop provides the same features.
Step 1: Open paint.net and import the map of the neighbourhood you wish to create the map for.
Step 2: Once the map is open you need to add a second layer which will be used to create the diagram. To do this click on the small green arrow in the layers box (Shown Below) and add a second layer. (If there is no layers box on the screen go-to Window > Layers or press F7)
#
OK, to make a map such a the one above, we need to use either Photoshop or a similar program. I am going to use Paint.net which free as is described hear. Photoshop provides the same features.Step 1: Open paint.net and import the map of the neighbourhood you wish to create the map for.
(File > Open)
Step 2: Once the map is open you need to add a second layer which will be used to create the diagram. To do this click on the small green arrow in the layers box (Shown Below) and add a second layer. (If there is no layers box on the screen go-to Window > Layers or press F7)
Step 3: Now you have a layer on which to draw your design (like tracing paper over a map). Using the Line/curve button you will be provided with the line drawing tools at the top of the screen.
Using these lines you can begin to trace over all the roads you wish to keep in the diagram. Note: each line is broken into sections allowing you to curve it with the 'hand' tool.
Using these lines you can begin to trace over all the roads you wish to keep in the diagram. Note: each line is broken into sections allowing you to curve it with the 'hand' tool.
The drop down box allows you to change how you want the line to look and if you want arrows. The centre box allows for dotted and dashed lines.
#
Using the Ellipse tool allows you to add nodes. The box below shows how to make filled or unfilled circles.
The colour box (Window > Colours or F8) allows you to change the colour of the lines or circles as you go along. The More>> button provides more verity of colour.
Step 4: Once you have traced over the roads and transport routes you wish to keep, the add place names and any other important information you would like on your diagram. You can add a key showing the different features at this point if you wish.
Step 5: Once you are happy with the diagram you can view the final product by removing the original map layer from below. To do this untick the 'Layer 1' button shown in the image below.
If you are happy with the product you see you can now delete the original layer by selecting it and clicking the red cross.
Step 5: Once you are happy with the diagram you can view the final product by removing the original map layer from below. To do this untick the 'Layer 1' button shown in the image below.
If you are happy with the product you see you can now delete the original layer by selecting it and clicking the red cross.
Step 6: You will now notice you have your diagram with a grey and white square background. Don't worry, this will become white when you save it (It just looks like that because its currently transparent).
The final step is to save the image in a location of your choice. Remeber to change the format to .Jpg (Or .Png if you wish to have a transparent image).
The final step is to save the image in a location of your choice. Remeber to change the format to .Jpg (Or .Png if you wish to have a transparent image).
