Introduction
TipThe Custom Output sample, in the Developer’s Guide samples, demonstrates concepts from this chapter.

MapGuide includes services for saving map representations for use in external programs.

To save a map as a bit-mapped image (PNG or GIF), use the Rendering Service.

To save a map as a Design Web Format (DWF), use the Mapping Service. DWF files can be saved in two variations. An eMap DWF contains metadata that describes the current map view, not the map data itself. This is a compact format, but it requires access to the map agent to view the map. It is not suitable for offline viewing, and it requires a current MapGuide session.

An ePlot DWF is designed for offline viewing or printing. It can contain multiple sheets, where each sheet is a complete map image that can be viewed offline using Autodesk Design Review. Each sheet in an ePlot DWF is a static representation of a single map view state.

Characteristics of bit-mapped images:

- Images can be in PNG or GIF formats.
- An image displays a portion of the the map view state at a particular scale.
- The image is static with a fixed resolution. Zooming in creates a pixelated image.
- Images are cross-platform.
- Images are suitable for use in HTML pages, word processor documents, or graphics editing programs.

Characteristics of an ePlot DWF:

- A single ePlot can contain multiple sheets.
- Each sheet shows a single image, showing a portion of the map view at a particular scale.
- The ePlot area and scale are static, but geometric features are stored as vector graphics, so zooming is smooth.
- Some interactive features of the MapGuide DWF Viewer are available, such as the ability to turn layers on and off.
- The ePlot requires the Autodesk Design Review, either standalone or as a plug-in for Internet Explorer.
- Images can be copied to the Windows clipboard and used in other applications.
- Autodesk Design Review is a free program that is only available on Windows. Visit http://www.autodesk.com to download.

Characteristics of an eMap DWF:

- An eMap DWF is dynamic, with all the zooming and panning capabilities of the MapGuide DWF Viewer.
- Because the eMap Viewer uses the map agent, the entire map is available for smooth zooming and panning. The layer stylization rules apply.
- The eMap requires the Autodesk Design Review, either standalone or as a plug-in for Internet Explorer.
- The eMap requires an active MapGuide session. If the session times out the map cannot be displayed.
- Individual views from an eMap DWF can be saved as ePlot DWFs.
- Autodesk Design Review is a free program that is only available on Windows.