We thought we had our pixels in a row. But now that we all understand how to plan for, acquire and use film based aerial mapping products (such as orthophotography, planimetrics and contours) all of the rules have changed. Well, not all of the rules, but a fair number of them. This presentation will provide a brief overview of how newer photogrammetric mapping technologies, including digital cameras and LiDAR, impact the planning and procurement process for digital image and topographic mapping projects. The emphasis will be on key project design parameters that affect accuracy, resolution and suitability for intended applications and how these compare with what was attained from conventional film based aerial mapping approaches. This discussion is targeted to GIS users and project coordinators and is focused on the “big picture” issues and planning considerations for new technologies, not on technical or flight planning considerations. Questions and dialogue are encouraged.