The most recent TMODEL2 update, sent in August, contains the ability to display, use, and plot up to 3 graphic layers at a time. These graphic layers are in addition to the TMODEL2 link and node files. Okay, so how do you go about obtaining a graphic layer file for your model?

A graphic layer can be imported from the U.S. Census Bureau TIGER files, .DXF files, MapInfo .MIF files, or can be created from a link, node, and display attributes files. This is all available in section 4.4.9! If you have not checked this feature out, it is worth investigating. We have developed Traffic Analysis Zone (TAZ) maps by inserting links and nodes and then converting these files to a layer file. The use of the layers has become a very powerful tool for not only displaying your model information but also for developing your model.

Which brings us to the headline above. A geographically correct layer file makes a digitizer obsolete. The layer file can contain all of the geographic features that you need to develop your model right on screen. Features can include streets (by classification), water, rail, landmarks, and other boundaries. Links and nodes can be inserted directly over this information within the Network Graphic Editor. All of this can be displayed on screen as well as plotted.

Do we sound excited? We are, and we think you should be too! But it is really something that you have to see before you can believe. So, we are trying to make it easy for you to believe by making it easy for you to see. TModel Corporation has purchased the TIGER 92 files for all of the United States, and we will convert them to the TMODEL2 layer (.lyr) format. The discounted introductory price for our loyal maintenance customers is only $90 per county. Others can purchase these files for $200 per county. You may obtain as many counties at a time as you want and even have them registered to the same coordinate system. The standard $15 charge for shipping and handling (and sales tax for Washington and Maryland) applies to each order.

What do these files include? Each group of county layer files contains an individual layer file for county boundaries, tract boundaries, block group boundaries, MCD/CCD (township) boundaries, place (city) boundaries, landmark boundaries (sometimes parks, airports, large lakes, etc.), interstates and freeways, arterial roads, collector roads, other roads, water (oceans, lakes, streams, etc.), and railroads and airports. This is a total of 12 individual layer files that you can combine and use as you wish. Those files have been converted from longitude and latitude and "flattened" into the TMODEL2 coordinate system. The price is much less than what you would spend in labor to develop the files if you had the data. And, they make your model look ten times better!

These files are available now. To start using this terrific tool, call 1-800-T2MODEL today.