Avenza's Popular PDF Maps App Introduces Waypoint Importing and Exporting Allowing Consumers to Share Points of Interest in Minutes

TORONTO--(Marketwire - Jan 10, 2012) - Avenza Systems Inc., producers of MAPublisher^® cartographic software for Adobe^® Illustrator^® and Geographic Imager^® geospatial tools for Adobe Photoshop^®, announces its latest social sharing feature to its award-winning PDF Maps app with the introduction of waypoint importing and exporting which allows users who have recorded specific map points of interest the ability to share them with others in minutes. A distinguishing technology in its own right, Avenza brings PDF Maps to a social level enabling consumers to not just tell of their travel adventures but download exact point information via iTunes, Dropbox, email or a weblink, so others can experience it in the same way.

Presently, the PDF Maps app takes advantage of geospatial technology that allows travelers to view and measure real world locations and attributes. Paired together with mobile devices that utilize GPS, such as an iPhone or iPad, the PDF Maps app provides constant access to geographic locations and even points of interest without the risk of losing reception due to cell tower proximity -- making it the ultimate traveling accessory for those that are enthusiastic about travel or anywhere internet bandwidth is not available or is cost-prohibitive when roaming internationally.

Because data has become a social and interactive process, Avenza has provided the ability to share travel information with others with the addition of waypoint importing and exporting in the PDF Maps app. Waypoints are associated with data that a user can connect to, such as a photo of a location. This information can be exported from the PDF Maps app as well as imported by others into any map upon which those points may lie. The ability to import and export information is not exclusive to only PDF Maps app consumers. In addition to creating points in PDF Maps on an iOS device, consumers can also create them in Google Earth or other software that supports KML/KMZ export, including Avenza's software products for Adobe Creative Suite.

"I've often heard people say, 'traveling is better when done with a friend who's been there, because they know the best spots to go to.' Because PDF Maps app works with the iOS device's GPS system, it's just like having your own personal guide," said Ted Florence, President of Avenza Systems Inc. "People often spend hours explaining to friends where they ate, the hotel they stayed at or the best places for entertainment, especially when a friend will be visiting the exact same city you just came from. Now friends and colleagues can provide some background to the storytelling by sharing the waypoints you recorded on your own trip giving them exact directions, pictures and even tips while on route."

The PDF Maps app supports a growing database of maps featuring tens of thousands of maps authored, distributed or sold by individual cartographers, established map publishers, and government agencies. The marketplace provides a new e-commerce venue that allows those in the industry to have access to more than 200 million Apple iOS users seeking information about specific maps.

"The digital map store has finally arrived and this app does it with ease," said Peter Lennon, President, International Map Trade Association (IMTA) International. "The app is simple and efficient and will do most things you would ever want when using a map. IMTA judges chose this as the best mapping product in the world for 2011 and in using it, consumers will see why."

PDF Maps is available now on the iTunes App Store free of charge for personal use. For more information about the app, visit the Avenza website at www.avenza.com/pdf-maps. Pricing of each map is set by the publisher and free maps remain free to users through the PDF Maps in-app map store.

More about Avenza Systems Inc.
Avenza Systems Inc. is an award-winning, privately held corporation that provides cartographers and GIS professionals with powerful software tools for making better maps. In addition to software offerings for Mac and Windows users, Avenza offers value-added data sets, product training and consulting services. For more information visit the Avenza website at www.avenza.com.