Scratch Tool: Unlike Anything a Map Viewer Has Ever Seen

Welcome to The Exploration Company's Product Blog!  Here we will take the time to announce our newest products or give a review of some of the highlights of current products.  For the first post we'll take a look at the Scratch Tool, featured in our online collection of maps, charts, and graphs:  EarthPoint.

For traditional maps, a teacher and/or student would have to lift up and pull down between two maps to make an observation or comparison between say, a landcover and elevation map.  With digital maps, students can now make connections even easier with a vast library of maps, charts, and graphs available exclusively through EarthPoint.

Let's use US History for an example here.  After loading the 1860 Railroads module, you may notice small diamonds going down the left hand side of our content viewer.  A diamond next to a map signifies that it is the same size and type as the one you have selected on your screen. 

For example, with our selected 1860 Railroads Module that views only the US, there are other Modules such as Railroads 1916 that is the same size and type, whereas a Module such as World Elevation would not have a diamond next to it since it is a different size.

The Scratch tool allows us to load two maps on top of one another that are the same size and type.  When the tool is activated, we then "scratch" through the top map to see into the bottom map.  Let's try it with this example to see the progression of the Railroad system over 56 years

Clicking the diamond that is next to the 1916 Railroads Module loads the map underneath the current module that we currently see.

Once the loading icon disappears you may now activate the 'scratch' tool to toggle the viewer (located in the tool bar as shown above),

Voila!  You now can see right before your very eyes the progression of the railroad system in the USA during the 19th century. This window may can be moved, increased in size, and decreased in size.

Keep an eye out in the EarthPoint community for tips from us or other teachers at our website, and feel free to explore many fascinating combinations of maps to use the scratch tool with, such as World Infrastructure with Human Footprint or Elections 2004 with Elections 2008.

Thanks for reading!  Be sure to catch the next issue on the side-by-side tool.