GIS Data import

Creation of a complete cartographic repository

The power of GIS data import modules: LorikGISMapper and DBManager

Through these two modules, it is possible to import existing data and create a complete cartographic repository stored as files or in a database. A wide range of formats is compatible with our software. The data are imported simultaneously, tailored to the same graphic template and with the same scale even if they have different coordinates and different source structures.

Import formats

A wide range of formats is compatible with our software. The data are imported simultaneously, tailored to the same graphic template and with the same scale even if they have different coordinates and from different source structures:
  • SIG files: Shape, MIF/MID, E00, IFF Laser-Scan, EDBS, Mastermap, S57, MapInfo Tab, GPX, KML, ESRI Geodatabase (*.mdb), TigerLine (GDAL), PostNAS, Aeronav FAA, GML, Hydrographic Transfer, GeoJSON, UK.NTF, Tim Newport-Peace’s Special Use Airspace, EDIGEO, Idrisi Vector, GeoRSS, X-Plane/Flightgear aeronautical data, OpenAir Special Use Airspace Format, OSM xml & pbf etc…
  • CAD files: DGN (v7.0 & V8.0), DXF
  • Database: Oracle & PostgreSQL 
  • Points list texts file 
  • DEM files for contour lines creation with elevation spots (MNT, ASC, YXZ, DTED,…) 
From the same set of data, several maps in different scales or with different templates can be produced. Data from various sources can be imported and merged into a single mapping file.

Geometric transformation 

Georeferencing is the process of creating a relationship between real coordinates and paper coordinates. A georeferencing can be created:
  • Using a point, a projection, a rotation and a scale
  • Using two reference points and a projection (in this case rotation and scale are automatically computed)
LorikSoftware includes about 3000 projections with the “Proj4” library. Custom projections can also be defined and shared between different projects.

Georeferencing is used: 
  • To import GIS data with a geometric transformation
  • To accurately place images (ECW, JGW, PGW, JP2, TIFF, GEOTIFF, TFW files or WMS)
  • To create and draw grids (kilometer, geographic or regular)
  • To extract indexes

Creation, filtering and symbolization

All parameters used to define how to import data are saved in rules. These rules, called “GISLink transfer”, contain:
  • The geometric transformation to be applied to the transferred objects to adapt them to a new projection
  • The types of input and destination objects
  • The transfer filters with their conditions
  • The graphic attributes to associate (from the graphic chart)
  • The additional attributes (from the metadata of the databases or created by the user)
The original data are converted to LorikSoftware format. Using this principle data can be more efficiently enhanced and displayed.
  1. The rules are based on conditions using the attributes of the original objects.
  2. Entities are transferred if they meet a given condition.
  3. For each entity contained in the source file the software will test the condition, and if it satisfies it, it will create and specify the destination entities.
  4. The entity will be displayed on the working plane according to the graphic symbolization of the template associated with the rule.

Automatic processing operations

Automatic processing operations are performed through customizable tasks known as “ToolBox tasks”. They are designed to perform a series of highly customizable operations to:
  • Improve the geometry
  • Automatically place text while preventing conflicts
  • Place point symbols while avoiding overlapping
  • Collect information from the database to enhance the result: street numbers, traffic directions, etc.
These tasks operate on the entities in accordance with the graphic template. As opposed to GIS, the processing is not performed by layer but according to the symbolization of the objects.
As a consequence, it is possible to set specific behaviors for the entities in order to obtain a more efficient automation of the transfers.

Short overview of the performance of GIS imports via GISLink rules and graphical processing through toolbox tasks

Curves removal

Removes unnecessary curves (or only text on curve) using a minimum length value parameter.

Processing of free ends

Enables to remove all sections with free ends in order to simplify a network or to modify the symbolization. This task can be used to modify the scale of a network, for instance.

Flat text aggregation

Searches for identical text strings to limit the number of occurrences displayed.

Surface aggregation

Aggregate and simplify a set of polygons by using tolerance parameters. The types assigned at the origin can also be replaced.

Complex surface aggregation

Especially for the cartographic generalization this task will produce a top-notch result with a complex set of polygons.

Layout of overlapping curves

The task can be used to shift all or part of the curves according to their proximity to other curves. It is mainly used to improve the graphic rendering. The main parameter is the offset distance required.