| Features
◆ Easy development
GIS has been becoming an indispensable part of IT. More and more industries are going to employ GIS within their systems. SuperMap Objects, a series of standard ActiveX components, can be used with the various popular programming languages such as Visual Basic, Visual C++, Delphi, C#, Visual Basic .NET, Visual C++ .NET, and ASP. NET to implement the comprehensive functions for their systems.
◆ Independent distribution
SuperMap Objects 2008 is a complete component development platform specially intended for GIS application developers. The application, developed based with this platform, can be distributed and run independently without installing any other SuperMap GIS products. This will decrease deployment complexity and distribution costs.
◆ Powerful functionalities
SuperMap Objects offers 11 controls, 170 programmable objects and over 3,000 interfaces with powerful developing capabilities and suitable encapsulation grain fineness. The functions cover graphics and attribute editing, topological processing, spatial analysis, 3D modeling and analysis, 3D visualization, thematic map creation, symbol library editing and management and layout printing. SuperMap Objects 2008 is now the most powerful component GIS development platform with independent distribution.
◆ High scalability
SuperMap Objects 2008 is a comoponent GIS development platform. Each component can be detached or assembled like building blocks. The users can develop either a large-scale GIS project with the entire components or a medium or small-sized GIS project with a part of components.
Figure 3 High Flexibility of SuperMap Objects
The high scalable architecture allows the users to fully consider the factors of their GIS project, choose suitable components for obtaining high performance, as well as reduce cost and risk.
◆ Build-in large-scale spatial database engine
SuperMap Objects 2008 has the latest spatial database engine - SuperMap SDX+ built inside. For the detailed information about SuperMap SDX+ technology, please refer to Chapter 2 - Large-scale spatial database engine.
◆ Topology and object oriented data structures
SuperMap Objects 2008 supports two types of data structures, topology-oriented and object-oriented. This offers more choices for data organization and reduces developing difficulties
◆ Combination of GIS and CAD
The data structures of GIS and CAD have their own advantages. They are widely used in GIS projects. Therefore, SuperMap Objects 2008 supports these two data models to fully utilize their advantages. Some CAD techniques, for example, intelligent snapping and editing, are introduced to enhance SuperMap Objects 2008 functionalities.
◆ Moderate encapsulation
Objects encapsulation density is an important factor for the ease use of GIS component interfaces. If the components are coarse-grained, then it will be difficult to develop extensible and flexible functions; If they are fine-grained, it will result in a large amount of objects, take long time to initialize the system (the initiation of each COM object consumes CPU and memory resources), and increase a large block of codes to implement.
SuperMap Objects components are designed as a moderate encapsulation grain fineness, therefore, they are flexible and easily to use. Since SuperMap Objects are standard ActiveX controls, they can be seamlessly integrated with the other functional controls or embedded within customer's system. This will reduce developing difficulties and costs, improve system stability, and shorten developing cycle. SuperMap Objects 2008 delivers a rich variety of interfaces to meet the needs of the different GIS projects. It is an ideal GIS development platform to facilitate the users to easily build their expected GIS applications or their own GIS products.
◆ Large-scale GIS development platform
SuperMap Objects 2008 supports multiple large-scale DBMS and a variety of data formats, therefore, it is an ideal solution to build various large-scale GIS systems.
Main Functionalities
◆ Map projection and coordinate system transformation
Map projection settings, map dynamic projection, and projection transformation for vector and raster are available in SuperMap Objects. The polar projection and projection for Hong Kong are newly added to SuperMap Objects 2008.
◆ Data Accessibility and Interoperability
○ Direct access to multi-Source Data
Multi-source GIS, CAD, RS and general purpose image formats can be directly accessed through SuperMap SDX+. The latest version of DWG and DXF of AutoCAD, DGN V8 of MicroStation, encrypted image SIT of SuperMap, map cache file SCT and multi-band TIFF image files are fully supported.
Direct accessing to WMS, WFS, and WCS services of OGC as well as KML format of Google Earth is supported in SuperMap Objects 2008 as the new Web data source engines. For example, when displaying the WMS data, the display properties of each layer can be controlled independently.
○ Convenient data import and export
The data conversion engine of SuperMap Objects supports almost all popular GIS related geographical data, image data, CAD data and attributes data. These formatted data can be integrated into SuperMap database to facilitate various operations, analysis, mapping, and so on. On the other hand, the internal format data can be exported to the external data for better interoperability among heterogeneous systems.
◆ Data editing and processing
○ Editing and snapping
SuperMap Objects offers a variety of geometric objects: point, line, polyline, spline curve, multi-line, parallel line, circle, ellipse, oblique ellipse, arc, rectangle, rounded rectangle, polygon, parallelogram, and etc. The various operations on those objects are interrupt, connect, clip, divide, mirror, rotate, vertex editing, and the other operations for spatial geometric objects.
During drawing and editing spatial objects, SuperMap Objects provides snapping function, which is used to create the positional relations between point and line or among lines. The relations can be point on the line, points covered by the endpoint of a line, points on the middle of the line, points on the extension line, line parallel to the other line, line perpendicular to the other line, fixed angle between lines, line with fixed length, and etc. The snapping function has very helpful prompting tips for users to improve productivity greatly.
Vertical Snapping Parallel Snapping
The parameterized objects are newly supported in SuperMap Objects 2008. When creating an object, you can input the coordinates of the points. When drawing a line, the angle and length can be input to position the line. It is also possible to reserve unfinished part for calculating angle and length etc.
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Figure 5 parameterized objects precise drawing |
○ Raster automatic vectorization
Raster/vector conversion function has been enhanced in SuperMap Objects 2008, especially for conversion from raster data to point, line and polygon. For example, raster rivers and contours can be converted to line features automatically, and the effect is just like that of manual vectorization. This will speed up GIS data collection.
○ Topology validation
There are more than 24 topological rules available in SuperMap Objects 2008 for checking topological errors of GIS vector data. For example, the rule ”Must not have gaps” can be used to check data like parcels, land use data, and census data which do not allow regions having gaps or form voids. The topology validation improves data quality, thus increases the precision of further map editing, spatial analysis, and mapping.
○ Topology process
Topology process for line dataset is improved, including splitting lines at intersections, removing duplicated lines, dangle processing (removing overshoot and extend undershoot), removing redundant vertices, merging pseudo-node, and merging adjacent vertices.
○ Cartography synthesis
A series of cartography synthesis methods are available in SuperMap Objects 2008.
○ Mosaic
Mosaic function is enhanced in SuperMap GIS 2008, especially for adjacent raster sheets. More utility boundary processing methods have been provided; Also pixel format and resolution can be set at your will.
◆ Data management
○ SDX+
SDX+ is significantly improved for performance and reliability with brand new dynamic index technology as well as concurrent editing capability. Those improvements allow users to freely choose indexing strategy from existing Quad tree, hybrid index, tertiary index and dynamic index. Both old and new index can be coexisted together; The data compatibility between two versions can be promised. For more detailed description of SDX+, please refer to Chapter 2.
○ Queries
Attribute query: SuperMap Objects supports standard SQL queries. In SuperMap Objects 2008, the cross database query is supported, and any attribute table, including the tables not managed by SuperMap, in SDBPlus, SDX+ for Oracle or SQL Server database can be associated.
Spatial query: 21 spatial query operators, including 9 basic operators, 3 commonly used operators and 9 combination operators are enhanced in SuperMap Objects 2008. This can meet all needs of selecting features based on various relations. Moreover, the spatial query of text dataset and CAD dataset are supported also.
Distance query: the algorithm for distance query is improved in SuperMap Objects 2008. The function of querying points based on point, line and polygon dataset has been added. For example, querying all power plants within 5km away from level one rivers in China.
○ Temporal database
SuperMap Objects 2008 supports temporal database modeling for users to save, join and delete vector data at any historical time as well as query historical data retrospectively.
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Figure 6 Temporal data presentation |
○ Long transaction
Besides general transaction, SuperMap Objects also supports long transaction.
○ Log
SuperMap Objects 2008 has five levels of event logs in data engine, data format conversion, map display and etc. The logging information includes debugging information, general prompt information, warning information, and error or critical information. All levels of log information can be retrieved and output by the log manager.
○ Attribute table management
The users can create attribute fields, and modify the type of the field etc.
◆ Vector-based spatial analysis
○ Overlay analysis
SuperMap Objects delivers a number of vector based overlay analysis including Intersect, Union, Symmetric Difference, Erase, Identity and Update. The Update function is newly added in SuperMap Objects 2008 for resolving some analysis problems caused by region updating. Additionally, the overlay algorithms are optimized for higher productivity.
○ Proximity analysis
Buffer analysis, one of the vector-based spatial proximity analyses, is widly used. A number of buffer analysis functions are available for various data types, for example, creating multi-buffer for point, line and region features, rounding or flattening end type for line buffer, or asymmetry ends. Buffer analysis algorithm is optimized in SuperMap Objects 2008, especially for the linear buffer zone. A highly efficient buffer, created from a large amount of complex objects is achieved. The example below shows asymmetric buffer created along a railroad.
Figure 7 Asymmetric buffer
Distance calculation among point dataset is available in SuperMap Objects 2008. For example, given the geographical distribution of schools in a town and crime spot data, all schools less than 1km away from the crime spot can be calculated.
○ Route analysis
SuperMap Objects delivers path analysis function based on network data model, including optimal path analysis and traveling salesman path analysis. When performing path analysis, the user can set turnning table, barrier nodes, barrier edges and traffic rules according to the actual requirements, and then output analysis results as a driving guide. It can handle a large amount of analytical demands from public transportation or logistics with high veracity and performance.
○ Closest facility analysis
In the network analysis module, the closest facility analysis is available for emergency management and public services. For example, when an accident happens, the 120 emergency center can query the closest emergency medical center within 10 minutes’ driving and the optimized route; the hotels within 15 minutes’ reach from an airport or train station and the driving direction. The nearest facility analysis i able to find both of the optimal route under certain conditions and the closest facilities with least cost among a number of analysis results.
○ Service zone analysis
The network analysis module can create a service zone for the specific facilities. Also, it supports overlay processing of the service zones.
○ Resource allocation
The network analysis module supports resource allocation applied in power supply and school selecting, for example. The cross and bi-direction allocation of resource are available in network analysis module.
○ Suitable location analysis
The network module supports suitable location analysis. This analysis can be used to select a location for a public facility (e.g. school, library) and ensure the distance between this facility and any position within its service area is minimum.
○ Logistics
SuperMap Objects 2008 added Logistics that is used to solve logistic problems. For example, given a certain amount of target points and some known positions, and then calculate how many vehicles are needed to optimally deliver goods to those destinations.
○ Dynamic segmentation
The dynamic segmentation is enhanced to support creating route dataset using both points with measurements and lines, rectify the measurements along the line with the correct points, create event table according to the spatial data, and locate the spatial position according to the event table.
○ Tracking analysis
The tracking analysis for water pipe or facilities pipe is added in SuperMap Objects 2008. It can search upstream, downstream, loop query, the source or junction of a point, the common upstream of multiple points, and downstream junction. Additionally, it can do cross map frame tracking analysis.
◆ Raster-based spatial analysis
○ Proximity analysis
The raster-based path analysis is provided for creating linear or weighted distance raster, direction raster, or service area raster.
○ Conditional extraction
SuperMap Objects 2008 included the conditional raster extraction function. Grid/DEM raster data can be extracted based on the multiple nested conditions.
○ Generalization analysis
A number of raster generalization analyses are available in SuperMap Objects 2008. It includes raster aggregation, raster reclassification, and raster re-sampling.
○ Hydrology analysis
SuperMap Objects offers various professional hydrological solutions, such as flow direction, flow length, flow accumulation calculation, basin partition, terrain characteristic line abstraction, and accumulation basin calculation.
○ Surface interpolation
A variety of surface interpolations are provided in SuperMap Objects. They are Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) interpolation, ordinary Kriging and spline interpolation, and etc. A surface can be directly created by sampling data. The DEM or TIN terrain model can be generated with contour, sampled elevation points, or other terrain data.
○ Raster statistics
SuperMap Objects offers raster-based statistical functionality, such as greater than, less than, and equal to. The raster-based neighborhood statistics supports various shapes of objects, such as circle, round, rectangle, sector, and etc. It also supports the general statistical indicators, including maximum, minimum, average, and standard deviation. The raster-based regional statistical function can summarize statistical information of every region and optimize the efficiency of over 10,000×10,000 pixelraster.
○ Map algebra
SuperMap Objects supports a range of raster algebra operations and added the conditional raster extraction. The Grid/DEM raster data can be extracted according to the multiple nested conditions. More and more operators are provided for raster algebra operations, including Greater than, Less than, Equal to, Greater than or Equal to, Less than or Equal to, Or, Not, and Xor. The algebra operations above can be implemented by building expressions.
○ Surface analysis
SuperMap Objects provides a series of surface analyses, including slope and aspect calculation, surface area calculation, flood simulation, visibility analysis, fill and cut calculation, hillshaded map, orthograph generation, isoline abstraction and the other analysis functions.
In SuperMap GIS 2008, the functions, isoline generation by multiple points, isosurface by ranges, and automatic isosurface extraction, are also added.
Below is a DEM map for a certain area (left) and an isosurface extracted (right)
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Figure 8 Isosurface extraction |
◆ Map display
○ Map operations
Interactive map operations can be carried out via visible map controls at runtime, such as zooming in/out, panning, etc.
○ Multi-level map cache
Any map, especially map with multiple layers or rich elements, can be cached in a certain picture format according to the specific scale. Currently, .gif, .bmp, .jpg, .tiff and .png image formats are supported. The cached pictures can be used by either WebGIS development platform or image plug-in engine provided in SuperMap Deskpro or SuperMap Objects. They can also be loaded as a background with overlaid partial vector data to greatly enhance data displaying and processing productively.
○ General cartography
It is very easy to create a variety of map frames based on the national fundamental scales by using the standard map frame generating tools provided by SuperMap Objects. You can add residence locations, waters, land use, contour, and the other national fundamental geographical data with other map elements within a standard frame.
○ Thematic mapping
SuperMap Objects offers a variety of thematic maps: unique value, ranges, graduated symbols, graph, dot density, and label thematic maps. The graph maps include line chart, area chart, step chart, scatter chart, column chart, 3D column chart, pie chart, 3D pie chart, rose chart, 3D rose chart, stacked column chart, 3D stacked column chart, and etc. In SuperMap Objects 2008, the functionalities and representation of thematic maps are enhanced.
○ All thematic maps have filtering function and predefined thematic styles;
○ All thematic maps can be set as “Always on top”;
All thematic maps can be created by using the field from the associated attribute table;
○ The settings of thematic maps can be saved as XML templates;
○ Label thematic maps offer text-filtered display, automatic label avoidance, flowing text, along-line labeling and label rotation. Label text can be displayed repeatedly along very long line element. The extremely long label text will be wrapped to the next line or properly omitted with suspension points to assure the best display effect. Additionally, the fractal numerical labeling, manually adjusting text label offset and text with background frame are supported.
◆ In graphic thematic maps, the circular chart is newly added as the enhancement of the rose chart to support free degree settings. The SQL script can be built to directly query the external attribute tables. Each element of the graph map can be individually moved byusing the Action method of the Map control. For the detailed thematic mapping, please refer to SuperMap Objects’ online help.
○ Map display effect is enhanced in SuperMap Objects 2008.
○ Anti-alias effect can be applied to line, text, symbol and thematic map. Its visual effects can be saved into the map in the workspace without affecting the source data. This functionality makes the map more smooth and artistic.
○ Raster layer color table. When Grid/DEM dataset is displayed on a layer, the user can define the color table, set the color of null cells, or choose to use transparent color. The raster color table scheme can be saved into the map.
○ Map bookmark and user-defined display area. SuperMap Objects 2008 supports map bookmarking for quick accessing to a certain area of the map. The user can also specify a display area when the map is displayed in full extent.
○ Map display clipping. SuperMap Objects 2008 supports user defined clipping area to only display the specified area of the map and save it for layout or print.
◆ Map layout output
The SuperLayout control delivers map layout functionalities and provides annotations, Word Arts, symbols, lines, polylines, rectangles, round rectangles, eclipses, polygons, maps, complex chart frame, north arrow, scale bar, legends, pictures and tables. The operations to these objects above are cut, copy, center, move, and zoom, multi-layout elements alignment, equidistance, grouping options, and clipping on any region of the map. The SuperLayout Control supports a variety of plotters and printers, acts the smart page printing based on the paper size, as well as prints the layout to one bitmap or to one or multiple bitmaps.
In SuperMap Objects 2008, WMF and EMF file formats with higher display resolution are available for map output. This enables the instant printing with better resolution on any machine even though SuperMap product is not installed.
Layout legend is improved and richer layout elements are added in SuperMap Objects 2008. Each single item of the layout legend can be separately adjusted, including titles, sub titles, legend fonts and their places. Additionally, the thematic map legend is provided to improve the artistic look of the layout by adding corresponding legends to the layout legend.
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What's SuperMap Component GIS Development Platform?
