Thanks for linking my tutorials, Zack! :-)

QGIS doesn't provide its own data sources, it's just a tool for visualization. The US gov't has tons of free map data available via http://nationalatlas.gov/ and the USGS (+ http://nationalmap.gov/ ) -- everything from high-res satellite images and elevation maps to vector shapefiles, and not just of the US. Most states also provide their own detailed shapefiles, often with extremely specific purposes (I stumbled across "abandoned mines of New Jersey" earlier today). OpenStreetMap data is also free to use, although can be inconsistently detailed, and Natural Earth is great for public domain global sets. All of these can be imported into QGIS and combined in various ways, customized then exported as PDF for animation purposes.

Best,

Victoria

____________________________________

www.victorianece.com
www.docgroup.com

On Fri, Jun 13, 2014 at 1:03 PM, Zack Lovatt <AE-List@media-motion.tv> wrote:

Hey Jeff!

You could try doing it yourself with QGIS data, as it's open source & free--

http://victorianece.com/2014/04/adventures-in-map-animation-with-qgis-after-effectsc4d-and-illustrator/

Alternative, some other options here--

http://victorianece.com/2014/04/mapping-plugin-roundup/

Hope it helps!

Zack Lovatt

416.786.4129

www.zacklovatt.com

On 13 June 2014 12:50, Jeff Handy <AE-List@media-motion.tv> wrote:

We have a course video with which could greatly benefit from some high res pans and zooms. We thought to use Google Earth, but we're required to use their bug during the entire sequence. Anyone know of some other possibilities that won't require us to mortgage the business? 

Jeff (HandyGeek) Handy