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ZIPScribble Animated

Animated ZIP (code) Scribble Map in Google EarthThis is a Google Earth, time animated version of the U.S .ZIP map in my post from a couple of days ago. Based on Robert Kosara’s ZipScribble maps. 

The KML file contains 43,000 lines connecting every ZIP code in the country, TimeStamped in ascending numerical order.  

Just a slight warning: This is a very large and detailed time animation. It runs smoothly on my 3-year old PC (the little GIF above is from a real time capture), but may not work on some computers.

ZIP Scribble Map (USA) (650kB)

Viewing the File

  • Hit the play button in the Time Control, top right of the screen, or just drag the slider left or right. 
  • time_delta_google_earth.JPGExpand the time span to increase the number of ZIP Codes displayed at any time.
  • Deselect folders in the left sidepanel to alter the scope of the animation.
  • Change the visualization to a cumulative animation by selecting clamp beginning of time window in the time option dialog  - accessed through the white clock icon to the left of the time slider.

and…

  • The numbers shown under the Time Control are 5-digit ZIP codes without the leading zeros.
  • States are different Colours. No significance in the choice of colour - it’s just for contrast with one another and the terrain.
  • White lines indicate the sequence jumping a State boundary.

P.S.  for a different take on visualizing ZIPs,  check out Ben Fry’s  Java, zipdecode.

Comments

Comment from james
Time: January 21, 2008, 4:45 am

For all kinds of ways of looking at zip codes visit http://www.mapszipcode.com

Comment from Robert Kosara
Time: January 22, 2008, 4:55 pm

Wow, this is great! Nice work!

Pingback from microformats.dk » Postart - uden titel
Time: January 27, 2008, 8:59 pm

[…] kommer fra barnabu.co.uk’s ZIPScribble Animated, som er en Google Earth animation over 43000 postnumre i USA. Mere visualisering af postnumre fra […]

Comment from J
Time: April 24, 2008, 5:21 pm

nice effects.
what i would like to know, is how you recorded the GIF and how come it’s not choppy?

Comment from James
Time: April 25, 2008, 10:30 am

J,

- Fraps to capture a video of the file running in Google Earth.
- Jasc Animation Shop to resize, process and convert the video to GIF.

The trick is to remove identical frames from the video. Gets rid of any stuttering.
And chose a suitable framerate for the GIF. this one displays each frame for 8/100ths of second.
A doddle to do both of these in Animation shop.

I think Animation shop is now merged into Paint Shop Pro. But it should be possible to find a version online.

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