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Questions Regarding Our ProductsDo you sell paper maps? Do you have online directions? Why do you only deliver in Illustrator and FreeHand formats? Why shouldn't I just scan an existing map? Can I edit the maps? What are layers? Why can't I edit your sample? I like the map, but do you have one with less detail? Questions About OrderingWhat’s your return policy? What do you mean by “royalty free”? What about copyrights? Why can't I play with the fully functional Illustrator/FreeHand map I’m interested in before purchase? Are all maps available for download 24/7? How are the map files delivered? Are the maps available on CD? Can I be billed? Do you have quantity discounts? Can I preview the map before I purchase? Will I receive an invoice if I order online? If I don't want to give my credit card number via the internet, can I call to order? Will you handle my personal information responsibly? Do you sell paper maps? We don't think so . . . What's a paper map? Do you have online directions? Yes, go to mapquest.com. See ya! Why do you only deliver in Illustrator and FreeHand formats? Anyone who even occasionally carries the label Graphic Artist is familiar with Adobe Illustrator or Macromedia FreeHand. These two applications combine to total over 90% of the graphic design software market. However, you don't have to be a graphic designer to use the programs to make a few adjustments to a couple of maps. The beauty of Illustrator and FreeHand is that absolutely everything is 100% editable by the end user. You can change anything. The problem with Photoshop, JPEG, PDF, and TIFF files is that they're not fully editable. Our files are logically layered and vector based. This means a road is a single line. You can select (and edit) just one road or select them all. Each category of road will be on a separate layer to make fast global one-stroke changes. Our text is actually TEXT just like in your word processing applications. Again, everything is editable. Our map files can be exported to Photoshop or the web. Prepare the file in Illustrator or FreeHand, then export it. Want to add a few cities? Just open the original Illustrator/FreeHand file, make the changes, and re-export. Creative Force is a solutions-based company, and we have chosen not to deliver a singular-use, limited-value solution. (Web Masters thank us all the time for introducing them to the freedom and flexibility of Illustrator and FreeHand.) Remember, in just about everything, control is power. Why shouldn't I just scan an existing map? We thought you might be interested in hearing about the risks involved with scanning, then tracing, a copyrighted map. As an industry insider, we can tell you these risks shouldn't be trivialized. Did you know that all map publishers place traps in their maps? Rand McNally places at least six in every nine square inches. What are traps? A trap is simply a benign intentional error. Should you copy a map, all Rand McNally has to do is ask the judge, What is the probability that they'd (you) spell 'Nelson Road' 'Nelsen Road' like we did?-that they'd bend County Road 24 the wrong way like we did?-that they'd place and label a Miller's Pond, which doesn't exist, exactly where we did?-and that State Road 95 would widen to four lanes precisely three blocks before it actually does, just like we did? It is impossible to scan and trace a commercially available copyrighted map without falling into a few traps. Due to scanning technology, every major map publishing company has hired full-time representation to prosecute those who build maps from their copyrighted documents. The International Map Trade Association (IMTA) has hired a lobbying organization to strengthen the already stringent laws. And don't think it's just the big boys who prosecute. If anything, small map publishers are even more territorial. Creative Force offers a legitimate alternative to scanning, allowing you to build an asset of your own. There is yet another scanning scenario that can get you into trouble. Over the past fifteen years we've taken literally hundreds of calls from frustrated individuals who were unable to make two paper maps edge-join after scanning and tracing. Often they've received a public domain map from County A and have attempted to join it with a public domain map from County B. Even when the scale is disproportionately adjusted, they still won't meet. More than likely it is a map projection conflict, and if not, one of the maps was simply unscientifically hand drawn back in the 1920s. Maps from Creative Force, when built for this purpose, will always join. We alert you to these two separate problems because they are black holes that swallow up vast financial and personnel resources. Can I edit the maps? There isn't anything you can't edit in Illustrator and FreeHand. That's why we insist on delivering our products in these formats. You can change colors, add anything (cities and roads), fonts, and layer structure. You can even delete anything you want forever. Bad night in Reno? . . . backspace. What are layers? A layer is an organizational structure for a logical grouping of map elements. For example, neighborhood roads would be on a different layer than Interstates, lakes, or city names, etc. When you select all on a layer, you select everything on that layer and nothing else. Want a state map with nothing but the county boundaries and county names? . . . just turn off all the other layers. Why can't I edit your sample? Maybe a layer is locked. Just unlock the layer using the Layers Palette Window. I like the map, but do you have one with less detail? Just turn off layers until the detail meets your requirements. What’s your return policy? We offer a 30 Day Money-back Satisfaction Guarantee on all stock map products. Creative Force, Inc. adheres to the highest levels of internet sales integrity. We’ve been in business for over fifteen years: we are leaders in our industry in every respect. We have made substantial efforts to allow you to make an informed purchase decision regarding any product on this site. In interest of your time, we ask that you please zoom in on the PDF file. All detail is visible on every stock map we sell. You can also download a representative sample in Illustrator or FreeHand from all of our series. If you find yourself unsatisfied, just give us call to arrange for a refund. What do you mean by “royalty free”? We mean use the map as you wish; there is no further charge. We expect you to use the map for publication and web display. It does not mean that if you are a member of a verifiable royal family, our maps are free. What about copyrights? Once the map resides within your layout, you may copyright the composition. There is no need to reference Creative Force, Inc. in your composition. Our only issue regarding copyrights is that you are not permitted to create digital products for resale from our maps. In other words, don’t compete with us with our own product within our own marketplace. Why can't I play with the fully functional Illustrator/FreeHand map I’m interested in before purchase? We've occasionally experienced difficulties receiving payment from individuals who have already received the product free of charge. You're not in heaven yet. Are all maps available for download 24/7? Almost. You can download every single product except our big ol' Collections. But even then, you can download up to five of your most-needed maps from the collection at time of purchase. If the five maps are not enough, just give us a call and we'll keep you supplied with individual map files until the CD arrives. We are, and forever remain, your humble servants. Keep in mind that we staff our office M-F, 9-6 EST. How are the map files delivered? Maps are delivered online (downloaded), except for three of our four map collections, which must be delivered on CD. But don’t despair if you're in a hurry. We will deliver up to five of your most-needed maps from the collection at time of purchase. If the five maps are not enough, just give us a call and we'll keep you supplied with individual map files until the CD arrives. Are the maps available on CD? Sure, at an additional fee. Everything but our Collections can be downloaded. Can I be billed? In general, no. If you are ordering online, most definitely, no. Government agencies, usually yes. Television, yes. Large orders, please call in. We will need a PO number and a set of keys to any vacation properties you may own. Do you have quantity discounts? Yes. They begin at a total single order of $1,000. We can’t accommodate these discounts online, so please call in if your order will exceed $1,000. Can I preview the map before I purchase? You can view the map in PDF format. If you zoom in on our PDFs you are seeing everything in the map . . . all detail . . . accurate north, south, east and west boundaries. But, we understand some of you are very concerned with layer structure and element composition. So, just download a sample, hit “Download Sample”, and you’ll receive a fully functional Illustrator/FreeHand map from that series. This should be all you need to make an educated, comfortable decision. Will I receive an invoice if I order online? Yes you will. Actually, you'll get an E-mail order acknowledgement and a snail-mail invoice (marked paid) a few days later. If I don't want to give my credit card number via the internet, can I call to order? Of course. We'd like you to know that we have taken every remedy, and we mean EVERY remedy, to secure your private information. We're consumers too. Will you handle my personal information responsibly? We promise. We never sell any information to anyone. We never have, we never will. You’ll notice that our order forms do not include any market-research-type queries. It’s none of our business how many people are in your company or how often you order maps. We never E-mail our clients more than once quarterly. |
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