[Matplotlib-users] Basemap: High resolution output & cutout marks on contours

[nickj <nic...@gm...>]

Hello all,

I'm playing with Matplotlib & Basemap for the first time, and attempting to
render data from the NOAA GFS models. With joy I finally got something on
screen, however I was wondering what I might be able to do, to better
improve the contour rendering of the final map. To better illustrate my
problem, here is a screenshot with added red lines pointing to the odd
slicing I get around the contours: http://www.bigoceans.com/slices.png

Is there any way to rectify that?

Also, part of my project is to output massively high resolution images of
this work, which I'll be using to display in a number of mediums which are
of particular aesthetic importance (I'm not a scientist, I'm producing
something more in the realm of infographics). I decided perhaps the best
method to achieve this is as a PDF/Vector output, which I could generate
bitmaps at a later date at any resolution I choose to render the PDF as
(upwards of 8000pixels). Would anyone be able to best recommend how I can
achieve the highest possible contouring, country borders and other things
related to detail? I have attempted to use the resolution=full keyword,
however my computer balked and failed to respond after five minutes. What is
this keyword actually doing? What can I do to get the greatest resolution of
coastline & map representation?

Thanks so much, Nick