Geographic Information SystemsGeographic Information Systems

GIS SoftwareGIS Software

1. The Early GISs1. The Early GISs ► SURFACE II, by Kansas Geological SurveySURFACE II, by Kansas Geological Survey► SYMAP, by Harvard Laboratory for Computer SYMAP, by Harvard Laboratory for Computer

Graphics and Spatial AnalysisGraphics and Spatial Analysis

SURFACE IISURFACE II

► 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 IISURFACE II► The software can create several kinds of maps

contour maps three-dimensional fishnet diagrams color-filled contours data-point postings

► Grids can be added, subtracted, multiplied, or divided by one another (grid-to-grid operations)

SYMAPSYMAP

► Developed as general-purpose mapping package Developed as general-purpose mapping package beginning in 1964 beginning in 1964

► Output exclusively on line printers Output exclusively on line printers ► Poor resolution, low quality Poor resolution, low quality ► Limited functionality but simple to use Limited functionality but simple to use

SYMAP ..SYMAP ..

► A way for non-cartographers to make maps A way for non-cartographers to make maps ► First real demonstration of ability of computers to First real demonstration of ability of computers to

make mapsmake maps► Sparked enormous interest in a previously unheard-Sparked enormous interest in a previously unheard-

of technology of technology

2. Major GIS Software Packages2. Major GIS Software Packages ► ArcGISArcGIS, Environmental Systems Research Institute , Environmental Systems Research Institute

(ESRI) (ESRI) ► Autodesk MapGuideAutodesk MapGuide, Autodesk Inc., Autodesk Inc.► GRASSGRASS, Open Source Geospatial Foundation , Open Source Geospatial Foundation

(OSGeo)(OSGeo)► IDRISIIDRISI, Clark University Graduate School of , Clark University Graduate School of

Geography Geography ► MapInfoMapInfo, Pitney Bowes Business Insight, Pitney Bowes Business Insight► MaptitudeMaptitude, Caliper Corporation , Caliper Corporation ► GeomediaGeomedia, Intergraph Corporation , Intergraph Corporation

ArcGIS (ARC/INFO)ArcGIS (ARC/INFO)

► A long lived, full function GISA long lived, full function GIS► A vector-based package, added raster in mid 90’sA vector-based package, added raster in mid 90’s► With hundreds of sophisticated tools for map With hundreds of sophisticated tools for map

automation, data conversion, database automation, data conversion, database management, map overlay and spatial analysis, management, map overlay and spatial analysis, interactive display and query graphic editing, and interactive display and query graphic editing, and address geocodingaddress geocoding

► A relational database interfaceA relational database interface► Changed to object-oriented design in version 8+ in Changed to object-oriented design in version 8+ in

the late 1990s the late 1990s

Autodesk MapAutodesk Map

► Built on the capabilities of AutoCAD, Autodesk inc.Built on the capabilities of AutoCAD, Autodesk inc.► Extensively used in planning, engineering, and Extensively used in planning, engineering, and

architecture architecture ► Supports topology, Oracle and SQL query, and Supports topology, Oracle and SQL query, and

grids/images grids/images ► Extensive tools for coordinate conversion, map Extensive tools for coordinate conversion, map

editing and digitizing editing and digitizing

► Allows an open architectureAllows an open architecture ► http://usa.autodesk.com

GRASSGRASS

► Geographic Resources Analysis Support SystemGeographic Resources Analysis Support System► The first Unix based GIS, using raster dataThe first Unix based GIS, using raster data► It is a free software with an open architecture It is a free software with an open architecture ► Started by the U.S. Army - Construction Engineering Started by the U.S. Army - Construction Engineering

Research Laboratory (USA-CERL), now run by Research Laboratory (USA-CERL), now run by OSGeo foundationOSGeo foundation

► http://grass.osgeo.org

Grass 6.0 FeaturesGrass 6.0 Features

► New Vector Engine (geometry)New Vector Engine (geometry)► Volume visualizationVolume visualization► Vector network analysisVector network analysis

http://grass.itc.it/grass60/index.php

IDRISIIDRISI

► A not-for profit operation (School of Geography, A not-for profit operation (School of Geography, Clark University) Clark University)

► A raster GIS, with an open architectureA raster GIS, with an open architecture► Image processing and spatial statistical analysis Image processing and spatial statistical analysis ► Time-series analysis, spatial decision support, Time-series analysis, spatial decision support,

uncertainty analysis, fuzzy analysisuncertainty analysis, fuzzy analysis

► http://www.clarklabs.org//

MapInfoMapInfo

► Start out as a less than full-blown GISStart out as a less than full-blown GIS► A vector-based package and data readyA vector-based package and data ready► Suited to economic, political, cultural, industrial Suited to economic, political, cultural, industrial

applicationsapplications

► GeomarketingGeomarketing► Site location analysisSite location analysis

► http://www.mapinfo.com/http://www.mapinfo.com/

MaptitudeMaptitude

► Related to TransCAD, GIS-Plus GIS, Caliper CorpRelated to TransCAD, GIS-Plus GIS, Caliper Corp► Transportation-oriented GIS packageTransportation-oriented GIS package► Come with geocoded and system-ready dataCome with geocoded and system-ready data► Allow creation and maintenance of Allow creation and maintenance of

database, analysis of geographic relationship, and database, analysis of geographic relationship, and map displaymap display

► http://www.caliper.com/maptovu.htmhttp://www.caliper.com/maptovu.htm► http://www.caliper.com/tcovu.htmhttp://www.caliper.com/tcovu.htm

GeomediaGeomedia

► A layer based GIS A layer based GIS ► With a set of modules for different functions With a set of modules for different functions ► There are additional extensions for land There are additional extensions for land

information, parcel management, public works, and information, parcel management, public works, and transportationtransportation

► Maintains topologically clean data without building Maintains topologically clean data without building topologytopology

► Use Orical and SQL for attribute dataUse Orical and SQL for attribute data► http://www.intergraph.com/http://www.intergraph.com/

3. Picking up a GIS Software3. Picking up a GIS Software ► CostCost► TrainingTraining► ManualManual► User support groupUser support group► Software maintenanceSoftware maintenance

That is all well and good, but, but does it come with a remote?

4. Readings4. Readings ► Keith Clarke, 2003, Getting Started with Geographic Keith Clarke, 2003, Getting Started with Geographic

Information Systems, 4Information Systems, 4thth edition, Prentice Hall. edition, Prentice Hall.