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Representation of Spatial Elelments

This document summarizes different methods for representing spatial data in a GIS environment. It discusses vector data models which represent features as points, lines and polygons with attributes, and raster data models which represent spatial information as a grid of cells. Vector data is well suited for spatial details while raster data can represent continuous data variations. The document also outlines some common file formats for each data type as well as advantages and disadvantages of vector versus raster data structures.

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Joseph
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38 views19 pages

Representation of Spatial Elelments

This document summarizes different methods for representing spatial data in a GIS environment. It discusses vector data models which represent features as points, lines and polygons with attributes, and raster data models which represent spatial information as a grid of cells. Vector data is well suited for spatial details while raster data can represent continuous data variations. The document also outlines some common file formats for each data type as well as advantages and disadvantages of vector versus raster data structures.

Uploaded by

Joseph
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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REPRESENTATION OF

SPATIAL ELEMENTS
VECTOR, RASTER AND TABULAR DATA
FEATURE REPRESENTATION

• In a GIS environment, real world observations (objects in 2D or 3D space) need to


be reduced to spatial entities.
• Spatial entities can be represented as vector data models or raster data models.

• Spatial data describes any data related to or containing information about a specific
location on the earth’s surface.
VECTOR DATA

• Features can be decomposed into points, polylines and polygons


• Features have attributes which consist of text or numerical information
that describe the features
• Vector data use X and Y coordinates to define the locations of points,
lines, and areas (polygons), referred to as vertex describing a position
in space using a coordinate-based data model
• Vector data tend to define centres and edges of features and are
excellent for capturing and storing spatial details.
VECTOR FILE FORMATS

• Vector data and the file format known as


shapefiles (.shp) are sometimes used
interchangeably since vector data is most
often stored in .shp files.
File Extension Purpose
SHP* Feature geometry
SHX* Index format for the feature geometry
DBF* Feature attribute information in dBASE IV
format
PRJ Projection information
SBN and SBX Spatial index of the features
FBN and FBX Read-only spatial index of the features
AIN and AIH Attribute information for active fields in the
table
IXS Geocoding index for read-write shapefiles
MXS Geocoding index for read-write shapefiles
with ODB format
ATX Attribute index used in ArcGIS 8 and later
SHP.XML Metadata in XML format
Code page specifications for identifying
CPG character encoding
* Indicates mandatory files
RASTER DATA

• Represented as a matrix of uniform size square areas (grid of cells, cells or pixels)
arranged in rows and columns, each cell containing a value.
• Their size determines the detail that can be maintained in the dataset. Because
raster data represent square areas, they describe interiors rather than boundaries
as is the case with vector data.
• Resolution based on the size of the cell: the smaller the cell, the higher the
resolution
• Used to represent continuous data without distinct boundaries such as elevation
and precipitation, soil pH as they vary from location to location.
ADVANTAGES OF VECTOR DATA
STRUCTURES
 Good representation of phenomenon
 Topology can be completely described and easy to maintain
 Accurate graphics, retrieval, updating and generalization of
graphics and attributes possible
 Requires less disk space
 Graphical maps more closely represent hand-drawn
 Compact data structure for homogeneous areas
 Better suited for map output
ADVANTAGES OF RASTER DATA STRUCTURES
 Simple data structures
 Some spatial analysis methods simple to perform
 Simulation easy because cells have the same size and
shape
 Compatible with remote sensing
 High spatial variability available which is efficiently
represented
 Can store image data
RASTER VERSES VECTOR DATA
Vector
Raster
• Complex data structure
• Simple data structure
• Simple to implement overlays
• Overlay more difficult to implement
• Inefficient for image processing
• Efficient for image processing
• Spatially more accurate because it
• Generalizes spatial locations (features
places points everywhere
are considered homogeneous within a
pixel) • Adapts to scale changes
• Raster datasets are potentially very • Allows representing networks
large datasets • Allows easy association with attribute
data
• More update intensive
ATTRIBUTE DATA

• Geo-relational data model links spatial data and attribute data by


id
• Attribute data stored in feature attribute table which contains the
ID
• Row is called a record, column is called a field or an item
• Compatible formats include Excel, Access, Comma delimited texts
and dbase files.
• A table can be linked to other tables or shapefiles in GIS using
common fields
META DATA
• Metadata are the most forgotten data type
• Absolutely necessary if you’re going to use data, or if someone is going to use
your data later (or your derivative information)
• Contains information about
• scale
• accuracy
• projection/datum
• data source
• manipulations
• how to acquire data
THANK YOU

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