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MARPLOT Software

MARPLOT is the mapping program for the CAMEO software suite, which is

used widely to plan for and respond to chemical emergencies. Learn more about

the CAMEO software suite.

MARPLOT’s easy­to­use GIS interface allows you to add objects to a map, as

well as view and edit data associated with the objects. You can choose between

several background basemap images, and you can customize your map further

with annotations and online layers from Web Mapping Services. You can also

interact with the map in other ways, such as getting population estimates within

an area. MARPLOT can be run by itself as a general mapping program. It can

also be used interactively with programs in the CAMEO suite to display ALOHA

threat zone estimates on the map or to link map objects to database records in

CAMEOfm.

Downloading MARPLOT

The Windows version can be run on Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and

Windows 10 operating systems. The Macintosh version can be run on Mountain

Lion (10.8), Mavericks (10.9), Yosemite (10.10), and El Capitan (10.11)

operating systems. Operating systems not listed here have not been tested and are

not supported.
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Download MARPLOT for Windows (Version 5.0.3, Oct 2015,

182 MB EXE)

Note: If you have an older MARPLOT 5.x version installed

already, you can use the installer to update your MARPLOT to

the latest version while also keeping your current data and

settings. Before updating, it is a good idea to make a copy of

your MARPLOT Data folder and save it to a backup location.

During the installation, make sure to choose the locations for

your current MARPLOT folder and MARPLOT Data folder as

the places to install the latest MARPLOT 5.x version. If you

have a MARPLOT 4.x version installed, refer to the separate

instructions below to update to the latest MARPLOT 5.x

version.

Download MARPLOT for Mac (Version 5.0.3, Oct 2015,

391 MB DMG); additional Mac instructions

Note: If you have an older MARPLOT 5.x version installed

already, you need to be careful when installing the new version

so that (a) you don't lose your current data and (b) you get the

updated U.S. Boundaries layers available in MARPLOT 5.0.3.

Before installing, close MARPLOT and then rename your

existing MARPLOT folder (typically inside the Applications

folder) to a different name. Then install the new MARPLOT

5.0.3; do not start the program yet though. (If you're upgrading

from MARPLOT 5.0.2, you can skip past the next few steps

about the layer subfolders, since you already updated your

U.S. Boundaries layers as part of installing MARPLOT 5.0.2

previously.) Open the old MARPLOT folder that you renamed,

find the MARPLOT Data folder, and then open up the layers

subfolder. Delete the subfolders for the old U.S. Boundaries

layers (states, counties, places, and

american_indian_alaska_native_and_native_hawaiian_areas).

Find the same four U.S. Boundaries subfolders in your new

MARPLOT folder, and copy them to the location in your old

MARPLOT folder where you just deleted the subfolders.

Return to your new MARPLOT folder and delete the entire

MARPLOT Data folder. Finally, copy the MARPLOT Data

folder from your old MARPLOT folder (with your old data

and the new U.S. Boundaries layers) to your new MARPLOT

folder, and then start MARPLOT 5.0.3. If you have a

MARPLOT 4.x or 3.x version installed, refer to the separate

instructions below to update to the latest MARPLOT 5.x

version.

Important Note for Current MARPLOT 4.x and 3.x Users: Read the

instructions for upgrading to MARPLOT 5.x to ensure that your data is

successfully transferred to the new version.
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Learning More About MARPLOT

For a brief summary of the MARPLOT program and its capabilities, download

the MARPLOT fact sheet (PDF). (2 pp, 826 KB, About PDF)

The MARPLOT 5 series includes four U.S. boundaries layers and some online

Web Mapping Service (WMS) layers. You can add additional object­based layers,

WMS layers, and raster map images from other sources; refer to this list of

national geospatial data sources for some examples.

What is new in latest version of MARPLOT (5.0.2 and 5.0.3)?

Fixed a bug where you couldn't start MARPLOT 5.0.2 from CAMEO or

ALOHA. If you started MARPLOT manually, then you could share

information between the programs. (v 5.0.3)

Fixed a bug in the "objects within a distance" search when the distance

value was entered as a decimal number. (v 5.0.3)

Added a new setting to the Circular Grid function when the grid is divided

into pie wedges. You can now choose whether the first pie wedge is centeraligned or left­aligned with North on the map. (v 5.0.3)

Modified the default program behavior so that after you finish drawing a

point, circle, or rectangle object on the map, the pan tool or area selection

tool is automatically selected. MARPLOT will select the tool based on the

one you had been using most recently. This was already the default

program behavior after drawing a polyline or a polygon object on the

map. (v 5.0.3)

Made some small improvements to the program interface and additional

bug fixes. (v 5.0.3)

Added import/export support for .kml, .kmz, and .xlsx file types to allow

data exchange with Google Earth, Google Maps, and Microsoft Excel. (v

5.0.2)

Added option to include shown info boxes and legends in .mpz exports. (v

5.0.2)

Enhanced the program so that it can now run on a computer that is also

running McAfee Firewall. (v 5.0.2)

Updated the U.S. Boundaries layers to 2015 data. (v 5.0.2)

Updated the list of Web Mapping Services (WMSs) provided by

MARPLOT. (v 5.0.2)

Added enhancements to the WMS settings, including adding related links

for WMS Summary, WMS Legend, and WMS Metadata pages. (The WMS

Legend link is also accessible via the WMS Options menu in the panel on

the right side.) (v 5.0.2)

Added ability to save screenshots to image files (in addition to copying the

screenshots to the clipboard). (v 5.0.2)

Modified export behavior so that you can choose the location where your

export file is saved. (v 5.0.2)

Added a Copy Table function to the Object List, which copies the search

results to the clipboard. You can use this feature to paste the search results

table into another program to make a printout or to share the results with

someone else­­without having to make an export file with the found objects
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themselves. (v 5.0.2)

Added a button that appears on the toolbar when it is cut off by a reduced

window size for your MARPLOT program. The button lets you slide the

toolbar left or right to show additional tools that were hidden from view at

the narrower window size. (v 5.0.2)

Added ability to display Coordinates for point objects as part of their popup

boxes or stickies. (v 5.0.2)

Modified the search function on the Symbols dialog so that it now is using a

"contains" search (rather than a "starts with" search), and it also allows you

to click through all the possible matches (rather than just showing the first

match). (v 5.0.2)

Modified some of the default program settings so that the Temporary Layer

is selected for editing at startup and also that new layers created in

MARPLOT have a MARPLOT ID field and default to Individual Graphics

Mode. (v 5.0.2)

Added enhancements for program stability and improvements for program

speed. (v 5.0.2)

Updated the map drawing tool to OpenLayers 3 for improved drawing

functionality. This resulted in some changes to the map display, including a

new zoom level bar. (v 5.0.2)

Revised helps. (v 5.0.2)

Made additional improvements to the program interface and fixed bugs. (v

5.0.2)

Getting Help

You can report software bugs or obtain additional assistance by emailing the RMP

Reporting Center (RMPRC@epacdx.net), or by calling the CAMEO help desk at

(703) 227­7650 on weekdays from 8 AM to 4:30 PM, Eastern Time.

Last updated on December 17, 2015
NOAA’s National Ocean Service • Office of Response and Restoration

MARPLOT®

MARPLOT (Mapping Application 

for Response, Planning, and 

Local Operational Tasks) is 

the mapping program for the 

CAMEO® software suite.

With MARPLOT’s easy-to-use GIS 

interface, you can add your own objects to maps, as well as 

view and edit data associated with those objects.

MARPLOT is developed jointly by the National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Key Program Features

• Draw objects on map (or import from other sources). 

• Switch quickly between several basemaps or add your 

own raster maps as background images.

• Get population estimates, elevations, and weather 

conditions for U.S. locations.

• Import and export data in a variety of formats to 

exchange information with other mapping programs.

• Add legends, info boxes, and other annotations to the 

map for screenshots and bookmarks.

• Display ALOHA® threat zones (such as the one shown 

below) and link map objects to CAMEOfm records. 

Customize the Map: Basemaps, Web Mapping 

Service (WMS) Layers, and Raster Images

MARPLOT has a variety of different basemaps that you can 

use as the background image for your map, including both 

satellite and street view maps with global coverage. The 

basemaps are provided by online services, so that they are 

showing the latest information. Additionally, MARPLOT also 

offers the ability to download basemap tiles for offline use.

A weather radar WMS layer shows a storm near Lake Michigan.

You can customize your map further by adding WMS layers 

from online providers and raster images (such as aerial 

photos) that are stored locally on your computer.

Add Objects and Manage Data

It is simple to draw or import objects in MARPLOT, 

reposition them on top of the basemap, manage the 

objects’ display settings, and share them with others.

You can add point (symbol) objects using hundreds of 

symbols that are included in MARPLOT—or you can add 

your own custom symbols. MARPLOT also has rectangle, 

circle, polyline, and polygon objects, and you can also

make special objects (such as buffer zones and grids).

Within MARPLOT, you can view and modify the data 

associated with those objects, and you can make changes 

to the data file structure by adding, removing, or reordering 

fields. You can use the data fields to search for objects in 

MARPLOT, and choose which data to display in popup 

boxes when you select objects on the map.

You can also link map objects to CAMEOfm to store 

additional data about the objects (such as chemical 

inventories and site plans for facilities).
Annotate the Map

MARPLOT provides several options for adding notes to 

your map, which can be especially useful when taking 

screenshots or making a bookmark. 

You can make legends, use info boxes (with rich text 

formatting, hyperlinks, and images) to provide information 

about the map, make custom labels, and choose the 

information that appears in an object’s popup box when you 

select it. You can also turn an object popup box into a 

sticky that stays displayed on the map even when the 

object is no longer selected. 

Additionally, you can use the map extras to add features 

like a compass or latitude/longitude grid lines to the map. 

Getting MARPLOT

To download MARPLOT, go to

http://www.epa.gov/cameo/marplot-software.

MARPLOT runs on both Windows and Mac computers.

MARPLOT Contact Information

For additional information: 

http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/marplot

orr.cameo@noaa.gov

A derailed tank car location is marked with a symbol object, and an ALOHA threat zone estimate shows where the chemical 

might travel downwind if the tank ruptures. The toolbar and panel surround the map, giving easy access to tools and menus.

NOAA’s Office of Response & Restoration—Protecting our Coastal Environment

For further information about NOAA’s Office of Response and Restoration, 

please call (301) 713-2989 or visit our website at 

http://response.restoration.noaa.gov

U.S. Department of Commerce • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration November 2015