GIS Software

Review of OpenReview of Open--Source GIS Source GIS Applications Applications Lance I. Case, GISPIT/GIS Support Specialist

Huber Resources Corp Old Town, ME 04468Web: www.huberresources.com

Michael SmithState GIS ManagerMaine Office of GIS

Agenda

Free vs. Open Source MapWindow QGIS fGIS Others: gvSIG, AccuGlobe Q & A

A Review of Open-Source GIS Tools

Free Software vs. Open-Source Software Free typically means available at no financial cost, but can still

be proprietary (Google Earth, ArcGIS Explorer)

Open Source typically means that the user can acquire and alter the source code, and redistribute their changes. Typically this is achieved within the license agreement, such as the Gnu Public License (GPL). Open-source software is typically free, but does not have to be.

A Review of Open-Source GIS Tools

Sample List of Free (but proprietary) GIS Software Google Earth

ArcExplorer

ArcGIS Explorer

Not to be covered in this talk Google Earth previously covered (thanks Chris!)

A Review of Open-Source GIS Tools

Sample List of Open-Source GIS Software

MapServer/MS4W

PostGIS

MySQL Spatial

GeoServer

deegree/iGeoPortal

GeoNetwork

OpenLayers

GVSig

uDig

The Open GIS Consortium (OGC) develops standards for open geospatial software, and certifies software as OGC-compliant

MapWindow

QGIS

Thuban

GeoTools

GRASS (yes its still around!)

FWTools/GDAL/OGR

GIMP

ImageMagick

A Review of Open-Source GIS Tools

MapWindowEasy-to-use desktop software for WINDOWS only

Support for shapefiles, SID, JPEG2000 and most other formats

Simple editing capability

Built-in support for enterprise database (PostGIS)

Geoprocessing includes clip, buffer, reproject, resample, georeference

Scripting support VB.NET or C#, also OCX can be embedded in other applications

Metadata manager

BUG in WMS support though problem with raster data

Print setup a bit quirky

Edit large files is pretty slow

A Review of Open-Source GIS Tools

MapWindow EditingEditing tools

Vertices in Red

Table editor

Editing of shapefiles > 5000 features can be very slow

A Review of Open-Source GIS Tools

MapWindow Printing

MapWindow

Easy to install User interface is intuitive Attribute editing is easy Spatial editing not so easy

A Review of Open-Source GIS Tools

QGIS (Quantum GIS)Easy-to-use desktop software for multiple platforms Mac too!

Less functionality than MapWindow, but more solidly built

Multi-platform support a big plus

Support for shapefiles, SID, JPEG2000 and most other formats

Built-in support for enterprise database (PostGIS)

Editing capabilities

GPS support

Tricky install

A Review of Open-Source GIS Tools

QGIS Editing

Editing toolsVertices in White

Table editor

Fast editing

A Review of Open-Source GIS Tools

QGIS Printing

QGIS

Not too difficult to install Similar user interface to other GIS apps Could not load MrSID file WMS loaded but did not render correctly Could not start GPSBabel

fGIS

Forestry GIS designed for natural resource managers at Wisconsin DNR

Wicked easy to install & use, in WINDOS only Supports most common vector and

raster data formats Free version no longer supported Sold as TatukGIS Editor

AccuGlobe

Easy to install and use on WINDOS only Supports common vector and raster

formats Easy to edit vector data Map layout is more robust

GIS App Summary

Support most common vector and raster data

Allow creating & editing of vector data Map production should be robust User interface should be intuitive

Websites

MapWindow: http://www.mapwindow.org/ QGIS: http://www.qgis.org/ fGIS: http://www.forestpal.com/fgis.html gvSIG: http://www.gvsig.gva.es/ (select English) AccuGlobe: http://www.accuglobe.net/

Questions and AnswersQuestions and Answers

GIS SoftwareAgendaSlide Number 3Slide Number 4Slide Number 5Slide Number 6Slide Number 7Slide Number 8MapWindowSlide Number 10Slide Number 11Slide Number 12QGISfGISSlide Number 15Slide Number 16AccuGlobeSlide Number 18Slide Number 19GIS App SummaryWebsitesQuestions and Answers