Geographic Information Systems GIS Software

1. The Early GISs SURFACE II, by Kansas Geological Survey SYMAP, by Harvard Laboratory for Computer Graphics and Spatial Analysis

SURFACE II Surface III by Kansas Geological Survey 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 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)

SYMAP By Harvard Laboratory for Computer Graphics and Spatial Analysis 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 .. 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

ArcGIS (ARC/INFO) 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

Autodesk Map 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 Today it focuses more on architecture and engineering http://usa.autodesk.com

GRASS 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 Corps of Engeneers - Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (USA-CERL), now run by OSGeo foundation http://grass.osgeo.org

Grass Features New Vector Engine (geometry) Volume visualization Vector network analysis http://grass.itc.it/grass60/index.php

IDRISI 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 https://clarklabs.org

MapInfo Start out as a less than full-blown GIS A vector-based package and data ready Suited to economic, political, cultural, industrial applications Geomarketing Site location analysis http://www.mapinfo.com/

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

4. Readings Keith Clarke, 2003, Getting Started with Geographic Information Systems, 4th edition, Prentice Hall.