An Information Model for s: Towards Cartographic Production from GIS Databases Aileen Buckley, Ph.D. and Charlie Frye Senior Cartographic Researchers, ESRI Barbara Buttenfield, Ph.D. Professor, University of Colorado-Boulder Torrin Hultgren Graduate Student, University of Colorado-Boulder
Digital Landscape Model Cartographic Abstraction Digital Cartographic Model Production / Atlas Products DLM 1km DLM 1km resolution DCM_10Million 10M World Wall DCM_250K 250K Road DCM_100K 100K Recreation DLM 25m DLM 25m resolution DCM_50K 50K Wall DCM_Campus25K 30K Campus DCM_Topo24K 24K DOQ 24K Hillshade 24K USGS Topo DLM 5m DLM 5m resolution DCM_10K 10K OS Topo
GIS Cartography
Fundamental information transformations in cartography DATA COLLECTION CARTOGRAPHY MAP USE Transform 1 Transform 2 Transform 3 Geographical environment Geospatial data image Census Ground survey GPS Remote sensing Digitizing Selection Generalization Symbolization Labeling Reading Analysis Interpretation
From geographical environment to map DATA COLLECTION Transform 1 CARTOGRAPHY Transform 2 Geographical environment COMPILATION PROCESS Geospatial data PRODUCTION PROCESS Non-digital Non-computational Non-digital documents Digital Computational Digital files GIS GIS database
Outline of remainder of talk Cartographic data modeling conceptualization Proposed information model for maps Use of the model for cartographic production
Types of s High Number of map features (and the subsequent complexity of relationships between them) Special Use s Trail Analysis Results Bike Suitability Reference s Topo Thematic s Atlas Reference Census Data Low Crime Hot Spots Atlas Thematic Low Number of users and uses (indicates the level of general application) High
Digital Landscape Model Cartographic Abstraction Digital Cartographic Model Production / Atlas Products DLM 1km DLM 1km resolution DCM_10Million 10M World Wall DCM_250K 250K Road DCM_100K 100K Recreation DLM 25m DLM 25m resolution DCM_50K 50K Wall DCM_Campus25K 30K Campus DCM_Topo24K 24K DOQ 24K Hillshade 24K USGS Topo DLM 5m DLM 5m resolution DCM_10K 10K OS Topo
Traditional GIS data modeling Geographical environment Conceptual data model (CDM) Logical Data data model (LDM) Physical data model (PDM) Data model + Product e.g., GIS database Functional model (FM) Workflow or process model
Cartographic data modeling Geographical environment CCDM LCDM PCDM Cartographic data model + FCM Cartographic workflow model
Process of map conceptualization and graphic design: an intuitive and creative process user and purpose Graphic ideation Graphic plan Graphic refinement conceptualization conceptualization Type of map Spatial format Basic layout Data to be represented ping technique Kinds of symbols General symbology Number of classes and class limits Symbol and type relationships Typography Colors Legibility Visual contrast Organizational hierarchy Figure-ground organization
user and purpose 1 conceptualization 2 Geographical environment 4 5 6 CCDM LCDM PCDM Cartographic data model 7 + 8 3 FCM Cartographic workflow model
user and map purpose Graphic ideation Graphic plan Graphic refinement conceptualization process REFINEMENT conceptualization Publication Final product FCM Cartographic production model PCDM Cartographic data model LCDM CCDM Geographical environment
Feature class Cartography + + Style = Table Hydro Layer Boundaries Cultural Cartographic Representations Representation features (multiple representations) Generalization Selection Classification Simplification Representation Symbolization Labeling Graphic (for Features) Visual Contrast Legibility Figure-Ground Hierarchy Graphic Conflict Symbology conflicts Labeling conflicts Transportation Surface Cover PLSS + Physiography Production Process Compilation Data Frame Export Print Email Serve Page layout elements Graphic (for the Page) Visual Balance + Surrounds Page Template Publish
Model generalization: Selection Classification computational process graphic refinements compilation graphic refinement CDM Generalization Representation Graphic (for Features) Graphic Conflict Selection Classification Simplification Symbolization Labeling Visual Contrast Legibility Figure-Ground Hierarchy Symbology conflicts Labeling conflicts GIS data
Cartographic Generalization Simplification (reduction of detail or modification that reduces clutter) Elimination (e.g., nth point removal algorithms) Selection (e.g., Douglas routine) Displacement or Repositioning Classification (modification of the taxonomy or map legend categories) Aggregation (typification, collapsing, merging, resampling) Partitioning (using metric or non-metric class breaks) Overlay (in vector space and in raster space) Enhancement (systematic introduction of detail) Smoothing (e.g., high- or low-pass filter, or DEM pit-pass fill-in) Exaggeration (e.g., retaining features even if they might not maintain visibility "at scale") Refinement (e.g., adding road casing to symbology to highlight highways) Generation (e.g., adding detail through fractal models) Interpolation (e.g., generating a terrain grid or contour lines from individual elevation points)
Model generalization: Selection Classification computational process graphic refinements compilation graphic refinement CDM Generalization Representation Graphic (for Features) Graphic Conflict Selection Classification Simplification Symbolization Labeling Visual Contrast Legibility Figure-Ground Hierarchy Symbology conflicts Labeling conflicts GIS data
Feature by feature Cultural Cultural + Generalization Information + features = Symbolization Labeling Carto Cultural Features Carto Boundaries Carto Cultural Carto Hydro Carto Transportation Carto Surface Cover Carto PLSS Carto Physiography + = Graphic Graphic Conflicts Document
Generalization Feature class Select based on attributes Selection of features Simplify lines Simplified features Cartography Table Classify Classified features Save to layer Layer file
Representation Style Feature class Join Carto features Match symbols to style Symbolized carto features Cartography Table Load label expressions Labeled carto features Save to layer Layer file
Graphic Legibility -- ability to be seen AND recognized Visual Contrast -- extent to which a symbol contrasts with its background and adjacent symbols Figure-Ground -- spontaneous visual organization of the graphic display into two contrasting perceptual impressions Organizational Hierarchy -- internal graphic structuring that portrays levels of relative importance; visual distance between layers Visual Balance how to draw a readers eye and how the data are distributed and the layout of the geography
Example of Graphic Legibility ability to be seen AND recognized Visual Contrast Figure-Ground Organizational Hierarchy Visual Balance little square = fort symbols & two red different = English colors
Graphic / Graphic Conflicts Layer Order file Add to data frame Layers on map Change order Ordered layers Layer Check feature size for legibility Modified features Check colors for visual contrast Modified features Check color conflicts Modified features Check density of features Modified features
Compilation Elements Legend Slope Guide North Arrow Conversion Graph Adjoining Sheet Guide Elevation Guide Boundary Guide Notes Coordinate notes Scale Bar Glossary Title / Subtitle Locator Trim Guide Specifications Meter Reference Guide
Example of Compilation Data frame Relative placement relationships template Add to page Page map Change placement of elements Modified page map surround elements Check for discrepancies Highlighted problems Modify positions Final page map
Future Directions What we want to do is to put the power back in the hands of the cartographers allowing them the freedom to override the decisions that the computer made in order to provide absolute clarity. It s about letting the cartographer put the art back into cartography where it s needed. Paul Hardy, Cartography Product Manager, ESRI