Isom 2017-2
Gaetan Boren
OCAD has implemented a new function Update Symbol Set to update maps drawn according to ISOM 2017 to the new ISOM 2017-2 standard. There will be approximately 15 changes to your symbol set.
Your symbol set will be updated to the latest version of ISOM 2017-2. The number of changes depends on what version your old symbol set was based on. All other symbols and colors remain unchanged.
Tato specifikace vstupuje v platnost dnem 17. března 2022, zcela nahrazuje stvajc specifikaci ISOM 2017-2 (platnou od 19. 11. 2019) a je zvazn pro všechny mapy pro orientačn běh vydan
po tomto datu. Všechny změny uplatněn od prvnho vydn tto specifikace jsou uvedeny v Errata na konci dokumentu.
Mappers may find the ISOM 2017 Symbol Transition guide useful when updating maps drawn to previous versions of ISOM. The ISOM 2017 changes document provides some background and the reasoning behind the changes made in ISOM 2017. Some of the changes referred to in this document have now been superseded by revisions in ISOM 2017-2.
In April 2019, the IOF map commission replaced the sprint map specification ISSOM 2007 with ISSprOM 2019. The changes from ISSOM to ISSprOM are described here. In Jan 2022 ISSprOM has been revised to ISSprOM 2019-2. The new spec is here and revisions are detailed below.
ISOM 2017-2 and ISSprOM 2019-2 symbol sets, including course setting symbols, OS and EA logos, are provided in OCAD 9 to 2018 and Open Orienteering Mapper file formats. These latest symbol sets are primarily for drawing new maps. The ISOM 2017-2 symbol sets may be used to convert an existing map to use the new symbols but maps will need to be checked carefully after conversion. A useful method is to export a bmp from the old map and open it as a background map in the converted file.
The "BOF" OCAD Symbol sets for ISOM spec are based closely on the default IOF / OCAD sets and are very similar. The current BOF sets were based on an early ISOM 2017 OCAD set and then updated to reflect the ISOM 2017-2 revisions. Both the OCAD and BOF sets have continued to be tweaked and as a result there are a number of minor differences mainly related to the order and details (Naming, CMYK values, Overprint settings) of the colours in the colour table.
The British Orienteering ISOM 2017-2 sets still retain Overprint mode on Purple and Brown 100% which in most cases gives better printed results than the IOF specification which moves the colours down the colour table and removes overprint mode.
Please note: The content relating to ISOM (2000) in these guidance documents has been superseded by the publication of ISOM 2017-2 and ISSprOM. The principles of conversion may remain useful for later software versions.
British Orienteering Map Group has set up an OCAD Help Line. This is organised initially by Bruce Bryant of Octavian Droobers who can be contacted by email. If he is unable to answer your question then he will refer it to others in the Map Group.
The size limit of maps that clubs may include on their website must not be greater than 200 sq. cms of paper at the original scale. The image on the internet cannot be capable of being edited or customised in any way, neither must it disclose any addressable coordinates. There is also an annual reproduction charge for each image displayed of 4.75 payable to Ordnance Survey through British Orienteering.
Some clubs wish to include maps of permanent courses for downloading. The option given to British Orienteering is that this is not covered by their agreement and clubs would be required to take out their own licence for each map at considerable expense. A preferable alternative would be for the maps to be placed on the British Orienteering website using the POC management system with links provided from the controlling club site.
For school maps produced by members of British Orienteering, the maps should include an event or activity number. This will provide the mapper with insurance for public liability during the survey. However, if the map is not to be used for a British Orienteering registered event, the OS copyright agreement for the map should be provided by the local authority as it will not be covered by the British Orienteering contract. Mappers who produce orienteering maps of schools and other educational establishments should be aware that the Ordnance Survey has changed their licence arrangements following the introduction of schools opting out of Local Education Authority (LEA) control and that this affects the production of orienteering maps for academies and private schools. Further information and guidance can be found here
Please note: These links have been tested with Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, if you only have Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge and have trouble using the links, please contact the National Office.
Existing maps are being progressively converted. The Para Wirra maps are among my most recent conversions. To see one of these go to the Orienteering SA website and About Orienteering -> DIY Orienteering. See how many of the changes I mention you can find on the map.
One of the changes is that the map type should be shown on the map itself so look out for Conforms to ISOM 2017-2 or similar words. Some changes for ISOM 2017-2 are the same as ISSprOM 2019. Where this is the case there is a # at the start of the comments column in the table below.
So what has changed? I will focus on some of the visually obvious changes. There have actually been 106 changes! If you want to know more, particularly if you have an interest in mapping, I suggest you look at the specifications themselves on the International Orienteering Federation (IOF) Mapping website:
The IOF Mapping Committee has recently released updates to ISOM and ISSOM. The updates are valid from 1st February 2024 but are not mandatory until 1st January 2025. They are available on the IOF website via the link at the bottom of the article.
All maps for major events in New Zealand must meet this new standard from 1 January 2025 (including Oceania). There is no requirement to update competition maps for 2024, but you should (as always) specify in your Bulletin and on the Map, the revision number of the mapping specification used.
As always, clubs should consider updating their club maps to the latest specification especially to support their members who wish to compete at national level. The Mapping Committee tends to be pragmatic in that we think that clubs should adopt a policy that works for each club as to what revision they adopt, provided this is communicated to members. However, we strongly suggest that where a map is to be used in a competition that involves more than one club, then all clubs should agree to the mapping specification to be used in that competition (eg. Regional OY, interclub relay).
But back to the latest revision, if you want a full list of changes to the documents then you need to consult the errata table at the end of the document. Most of the amendments seem to be wording to provide a more detailed definition as well as changes to minimum size of symbol and thickness of lines. There are a few new symbols to consider too:
For those working in OCAD, when you start a new project it automatically gives you the option of using the updated symbol set. For those who work in OOM, go to and search for issue 2032 for ISOM and 1037 for ISSOM.Interestingly the IOF Map Commission has proposed that Revision 6 to be the last for ISOM2017-2 and focus on preparing for ISOM2030 with a new standard for ISSOM to follow 2 to 3 years after that. This is going to the full IOF Council for consideration.
Link to symbol example above here
Update from Michael Croxford, Mapping Committee Chair
Column D indicates the feature on which the control flag is placed. These are cross-referenced
to the ISOM 2017-2 (International Specification for Orienteering Maps) and ISSprOM 2019-2
(International Specification for Sprint Orienteering Maps) symbol or symbols used to represent
them (which are generally harmonised). Note that where a number is given it includes all symbols
beginning with that number (e.g. 509 indicates 509.1 & 509.2).
This event uses a 2021 LiDAR based map (ISOM 2017-2) at 1:7500 with 5m contours covering the area of Crack's Hill, surrounding young woodlands, areas surrounding the sports pitches and extending into the northern part of Crick village.
Parking: Please pay 2 per car into the honesty bucket as you enter the car park to cover use of the facilities. We will be sharing the car park with footballers at the sports centre. There should be enough spaces but if the car park is full please continue along the track to the left of the sports centre and park in the overflow car park just beyond the all-weather pitch.
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