Transcript Questions and Answers

Geographic Information Systems
GIS Software
1. The Early GISs
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SURFACE II, by Kansas Geological Survey
SYMAP, by Harvard Laboratory for Computer Graphics and
Spatial Analysis
SURFACE II
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Surface III displays of three-dimensional, single-valued
surfaces
The input to Surface III is a text file containing X-Y-Z data
points. The program will create a matrix of rows and
columns describing the surface. The gridding methods
include distance-weighted averaging, polynomial fitting,
and Universal kriging, Etc.
SURFACE II
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The software can create several kinds of maps
contour maps
three-dimensional fishnet diagrams
color-filled contours
data-point postings
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Grids can be added, subtracted, multiplied, or divided by
one another (grid-to-grid operations)
SYMAP
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Developed as general-purpose mapping package beginning
in 1964
Output exclusively on line printers
Poor resolution, low quality
Limited functionality but simple to use
SYMAP ..
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A way for non-cartographers to make maps
First real demonstration of ability of computers to make
maps
Sparked enormous interest in a previously unheard-of
technology
2. Major GIS Software Packages
ArcGIS, Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI)
► Autodesk MapGuide, Autodesk Inc.
► GRASS, Open Source Geospatial Foundation (OSGeo)
► IDRISI, Clark University Graduate School of Geography
► MapInfo, Pitney Bowes Business Insight
► Maptitude, Caliper Corporation
► Geomedia, Intergraph Corporation
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ArcGIS (ARC/INFO)
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A long lived, full function GIS
A vector-based package, added raster in mid 90’s
With hundreds of sophisticated tools for map automation,
data conversion, database management, map overlay and
spatial analysis, interactive display and query graphic
editing, and address geocoding
A relational database interface
► Changed to object-oriented design in version 8+ in the late
1990s
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Autodesk Map
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Built on the capabilities of AutoCAD, Autodesk inc.
Extensively used in planning, engineering, and architecture
Supports topology, Oracle and SQL query, and
grids/images
Extensive tools for coordinate conversion, map editing and
digitizing
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Allows an open architecture
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http://usa.autodesk.com
GRASS
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Geographic Resources Analysis Support System
The first Unix based GIS, using raster data
It is a free software with an open architecture
Started by the U.S. Army - Construction Engineering
Research Laboratory (USA-CERL), now run by OSGeo
foundation
http://grass.osgeo.org
Grass 6.0 Features
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New Vector Engine (geometry)
Volume visualization
Vector network analysis
http://grass.itc.it/grass60/index.php
IDRISI
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A not-for profit operation (School of Geography, Clark
University)
A raster GIS, with an open architecture
Image processing and spatial statistical analysis
Time-series analysis, spatial decision support, uncertainty
analysis, fuzzy analysis
http://www.clarklabs.org/
MapInfo
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Start out as a less than full-blown GIS
A vector-based package and data ready
Suited to economic, political, cultural, industrial
applications
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Geomarketing
Site location analysis
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http://www.mapinfo.com/
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Maptitude
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Related to TransCAD, GIS-Plus GIS, Caliper Corp
Transportation-oriented GIS package
Come with geocoded and system-ready data
Allow creation and maintenance of database, analysis of
geographic relationship, and map display
http://www.caliper.com/maptovu.htm
http://www.caliper.com/tcovu.htm
Geomedia
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A layer based GIS
With a set of modules for different functions
There are additional extensions for land information, parcel
management, public works, and transportation
Maintains topologically clean data without building
topology
Use Orical and SQL for attribute data
http://www.intergraph.com/
3. Picking up a GIS Software
Cost
► Training
► Manual
► User support group
► Software maintenance
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That is all well and good, but, but does it
come with a remote?
4. Readings
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Keith Clarke, 2003, Getting Started with Geographic
Information Systems, 4th edition, Prentice Hall.