Avenza Announces MAPublisher 6.1 for Illustrator.
- Powerful mapmaking software supports Illustrator 10 and CS -

Toronto, ON, December 14, 2004 - Avenza Systems Inc. announces the release
of MAPublisher 6.1 for Adobe Illustrator. MAPublisher 6.1 is the latest
version of this powerful mapmaking software used to produce high quality
maps from GIS data. Significant new functionality in MAPublisher 6.1
includes joining points based on attribute values, the ability to copy the
coordinates of a known point location and the ability to rotate point
symbols based on attribute data.

MAPublisher 6.1 for Adobe Illustrator is a full product update that is free
to all current MAPublisher Maintenance Program subscribers and replaces the
current shipping version of MAPublisher 6.03 for all new customers.

"We have responded to the requests of our users and included many new
functions and features in this release," said Ted Florence, President of
Avenza, "This update is another major step forward for MAPublisher." he
added.

New features in MAPublisher 6.0 for Adobe Illustrator

- Single Plug-In - MAPublisher 6.1 is available as a single plug-in, thus
dramatically increasing speed and performance.

- Join Points - New to MAPublisher in version 6.1 is a filter to join
points based on attribute values. This tool will generate a line string
joining common points, and is ideal for GPS data.

- Edit Column: Graphical Properties - The Edit Column filter has been
modified to enable the scaling and rotation of point symbols based on a
specified variable or by the contents of an attribute column. This filter
will also allow text objects to be rotated.

- Projections: Search Projection - A new 'Search Projection' tool has been
added to all occurrences of the MAPView Editor and Source Projection,
allowing you to perform a keyword search of the 4500 supported coordinate
systems to find the projection that you require. For more info on this tool
see pages 12 to 13 of this guide.

- Map Location Tool: Projection Info - The MAP Location Tool now also
displays the projection and units of the currently selected MAP Layer,
saving you time when you need to quickly find this information.

- Map location tool: Copy Coordinates - Also new to the MAP Location Tool
in MAPublisher 6.1 is the ability to copy the coordinates of a known point
by simply holding down the shift key and clicking on the page. This
function is ideal for quickly building point files.

- Map Views Palette: Remove MAPublisher Info - MAPublisher 6.1 contains
functionality to quickly remove all MAPublisher information from your file.
At the end of the project cycle it may be useful to remove all
georeferencing and attribute information in the document to reduce file
size, or to protect sensitive data.

- FME Component Update - The MAPublisher 6.1 Update includes the very
latest updates to the core FME library from Safe Software.

More about MAPublisher for Illustrator
MAPublisher for Illustrator is powerful map production software for
creating cartographic-quality maps from GIS data. Developed as a suite of
plug-ins for Adobe Illustrator, MAPublisher leverages the superior graphics
capabilities of this graphics design software. Avenza also offers
MAPublisher 5.0 for FreeHand - a suite of Xtras that add mapmaking
functionality to Macromedia Freehand 10 and MX. Full details are available
at www.avenza.com.

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. Visit www.avenza.com for more details.

For further information contact:
Tel: 416-487-5116
Email: info@avenza.com
Web: www.avenza.com