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GIS Data Structures. How do we represent the world in a GIS database?. Basic Data Structures for GIS. 1. Vector. 2. Raster. 3. TIN (triangulated irregular network). 4. Tabular Information (attribute table). Vector Data Structure. polygons. lines. Vector Data Structure. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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GIS Data Structures
How do we represent the world in a GIS database?
Basic Data Structures for GIS
1. Vector
2. Raster
3. TIN (triangulated irregular network)
4. Tabular Information(attribute table)
Vector Data Structure
lines
polygons
In vector data layers, the feature layer is linked to an attribute table. Every individual feature corresponds to one record (row) in the attribute table.
Vector Data Structure
About Image Files
• Image files contain no data
• They are the background
• You can create data based on images
• Not considered a “data” structure
Raster Data Structure (Grid)
A raster grid can store values that represent categories, for example, vegetation type
The basic grid attribute table has a value and count field
The value field has a code or some real number representing information about the grid cell. In this case it is a code for vegetation.
The count field shows how many grid cells have that same value.
Raster Data Structure
A raster grid can store values that represent categories, for example, vegetation type
A grid table can also have additional information, in this case the name of the vegetation type. But is always has the value and count fields.
Raster Data Structure
Grids can also store continuous values like elevation
Raster Data Structure
Elevation grid for area north of Kirkuk, IraqFrom space shuttle radar topography mission (SRTM)
Zoom in and you see the grid cells
These are called:
Digital Elevation Models (DEM)
Raster Data Structure
So 2 ways of representing elevation:
Vector contour lines Raster grid
Raster Data Structure
Sources of raster data
Interpreted satellite imagery, e.g., land cover
Conversion of vector to raster data
Raster Data Structure
Sources of raster dataSpatial analysis performed on vector data
A point layer of crime reports
A density grid derived from the same crime data – interpolation of point data over a continuous surface
Raster Data Structure
Sources of raster data
Although an digital aerial photo is in raster format, it has no data.
Raster Data Structure
Raster Data Structure
Raster and Vector Data Structures
PointPoint
LineLine
PolygonPolygon
VectorVector RasterRaster
Raster data are described by a cell grid, one value per cell
Zone of cells
• Features with discrete shapes and boundaries (e.g., street, land ownership parcel, well)
• Database management
• Database query and reporting
• Network analysis• High quality maps
• Continuous surfaces with fuzzy boundaries or with qualities that change gradual over space (e.g., soil, land cover, vegetation, pollution)
• Spatial analysis and modeling (e.g., agricultural suitability)
Vector Raster
A 3rd data structure for representing surfaces:
Triangulated Irregular Network (TIN)
TIN Data Structure
Elevation points connected by lines to form polygons that contain topographic information
TIN Data Structure
Elevation points connected by lines to form polygons that contain topographic information
TIN Data Structure
TIN Data Structure
TIN Data Structure
3 GIS Spatial Data Structure Types
Attribute table
“Flat File” with columns and rows
Row = geographic feature recordColumn = attribute field (item of information about a feature)
Attribute Data Structure
Attribute field general types
• Numeric (integer or decimals)
• Text (string)
• Date
• Blob (binary large object)
TopologyWhen you edit features in an electric utilitysystem, you want to be sure that the ends ofprimary and secondary lines connect exactly andthat you are able to perform tracing analysis onthat electric network.
Features need to be connected using specific rules.
Network Topology
Planar topology
Property parcels of land must adjoin each other exactly, without gaps or overlaps. This two-dimensional graph is called a planar topology.
Topological relationships
The relationships that do not change if you imagine a map being on a rubber sheet and you pull and stretch the rubber sheet in different directions.
Vector and TIN data can have topological structure.
Raster and images can not have a topological structure.
For your project
• What data layers
• Vector, raster, TIN, image?
• Topological structure (network connectivity or planar topology)?
• Attributes?
• Minimum required accuracy?
Should a data layer be topologically structured?
Some objects are non-topological and can be freelyplaced in a geographic area.
Examples?
Many objects are primarily stored in a GIS forthe purpose of background display on a map, so it isusually not necessary to store them in a topologicalformat.
If roads are a background layer in your GIS,they will probably be simple features. If roads arepart of an analysis of a transportation system, theyshould be topological features.
ArcGIS Major Data Formats
• Shape files
• Coverages (Arc/Info)
• Geodatabases
Shape files
Shape files can be created with ArcView software.
Arc/Info Coverages
Coverages are an older data structure in which topology could be modeled.
You will still find many data sets in Arc/Info coverage data formats.
But for new data, you should use geodatabase formats.
Geodatabases
Geodatabases can be created with ArcGIS 8.x and 9.x
Geodatabases give you more power to specify rules for features and structure topology
Summary
• 3 Spatial Data Structure Types in GIS– Vector– Raster– TIN
• Attribute Data Structure – Tables of columns and rows
• Topology – needed for spatial data to “know” where other data is
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