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Raster Data Model

The document compares raster and vector data models. Raster data represents geographic information as a matrix of cells organized in rows and columns, with each cell storing a single value. Vector data represents geographic features as points, lines, and polygons with x,y coordinates. While vector data is better for storing discrete data like roads or buildings, raster data is better for continuous data like elevation or satellite imagery. Converting between raster and vector formats requires translating cell values and coordinates.

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Nagendra Duhan
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210 views

Raster Data Model

The document compares raster and vector data models. Raster data represents geographic information as a matrix of cells organized in rows and columns, with each cell storing a single value. Vector data represents geographic features as points, lines, and polygons with x,y coordinates. While vector data is better for storing discrete data like roads or buildings, raster data is better for continuous data like elevation or satellite imagery. Converting between raster and vector formats requires translating cell values and coordinates.

Uploaded by

Nagendra Duhan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Raster data model and

comparisons with vector


Representing Spatial Elements
Raster
Stores images as rows and columns of numbers with a Digital
Value/Number (DN) for each cell

Units are usually represented as square grid cells that are


uniform in size
Data is classified as
“continuous” (such as in an
image), or “thematic” (where
each cell denotes a feature type.
Numerous data formats (TIFF,
GIF, ERDAS.img etc)
Raster Data Types
Raster data represent features as a matrix of cells within rows
and columns in continuous space
These cells are of a specific dimension size
Each raster data layer represents one attribute (e.g. elevation)
Image-based Data
Image data ranges from satellite images and aerial
photographs, to scanned maps that have been
converted from printed to digital format
Difference between an image and a grid

• Though both are raster data models


• The shape of all raster data models can either be
rectangular or square
Characteristics Image Grid
Unit Pixel Cell
Value Only positive Both positive and
integers negative integers and real
numbers
Spatial resolution

The measure of how closely pixels can be


resolved in an image is called spatial
resolution, and it depends on properties of
the system creating the image.

For practical purposes the clarity of the


image is decided by its spatial resolution.
Vector (discrete)
and
Raster (continuous) Models
GIS works with two fundamentally different types of
geographic data models:
Vector (discrete) and Raster (continuous)
In the vector model, information about points, lines
and polygons is encoded and stored as a collection
of x,y coordinates
The vector model is extremely useful for describing
discrete features, but less useful for describing
continuously varying features such as soil type

The raster model has evolved to model such continuous


features
Both models have unique advantages and disadvantages

Modern GISs are able to handle both models


Vector vs. Raster
Vector Advantages
Accurate positional information that is best for storing discrete thematic features
(e.g., roads, shorelines, sea-bed features.

Compact data storage requirements

Can associate unlimited numbers of attributes with specific features

Raster Advantages
The most common data format

Easy to perform mathematical and overlay operations

Satellite information is easily incorporated

Better represents “continuous”- type data


Sl. Characteristic Vector Structure Raster Structure
No.
1. Data structure Complex Simple
2. Ease of learning Difficult – software is complex Easy - functions tend to be more
intuitive than in vector

3. Positional precision Can be very precise and thus Precision increased with increased
accurate processing time and data storage
needs­ accuracy. Limited by pixel
size

4. Attribute precision Good for polygon, point and line Good for continuous data; limited by
data; not good for continuous size of pixels in representing
data unless connected to TIN or attribute distribution in real world
similar technology

5. Comprehensiveness Good for spatial query and Not good for spatial query but very
of analysis capability relatively simple data, analysis- good for spatial analysis filtering,
limited to Intersections and modeling
Sl. Characteristic Vector Structure Raster Structure
No.
6. Overlay ability Good, but overlaying many layers Because all pixels line up, overlay
can cause many splinters, etc. in the procedures do not create problems
result which are difficult to eliminate

7. Storage requirements Relatively small but complex Relatively large and simple but may be
complex

8. Ability to work with Poor - data must be vectorized first Good - uses same kind of data structure
image data
9. Conversion to other map Usually included in package and Difficult and quite often creates warped
projections relatively simple to do images which do not fill the raster,
causing problems with neighborhood
functions

10. Ability to work with Good - because system can handle Poor - raster structure not amenable to
network data structures lines network

11. Cost Expensive Inexpensive

12. Output map quality Very good - looks like a map Poor - doesn't look like a map to lay
people
Vector to Raster Conversion
L = f1 (X, Y)
E = f2 (X,Y)
Raster to Vector Conversion
X = f3 (L, E)
Y = f4 (L,E)
Where,
L = scan line
E = element / pixel number within scan line
X = horizontal coordinates of the GIS system map projection
Y = vertical coordinates of the GIS map projection
f1…f4 = Polynomial functions derived by least squares analysis of control
points which can be identified on an image
THANKS

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