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Digitization

Digitization is the process of converting analog materials like paper maps into digital formats readable by electronic devices. There are three primary methods for digitizing spatial information: manual methods like tablet and heads-up digitizing, and an automated method involving scanning and vectorization. Tablet digitizing uses a digitizing tablet and puck for data entry, while heads-up digitizing combines scanning with manual digitizing on screen. Automated digitizing uses tools to convert raster scans into vector lines, requiring a clean scan, though manual cleanup may still be needed.

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323 views9 pages

Digitization

Digitization is the process of converting analog materials like paper maps into digital formats readable by electronic devices. There are three primary methods for digitizing spatial information: manual methods like tablet and heads-up digitizing, and an automated method involving scanning and vectorization. Tablet digitizing uses a digitizing tablet and puck for data entry, while heads-up digitizing combines scanning with manual digitizing on screen. Automated digitizing uses tools to convert raster scans into vector lines, requiring a clean scan, though manual cleanup may still be needed.

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sirajuddinkhan.edu
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DIGITIZATION

Digitization is the process of converting analog


material (paper, artifacts, books) to a digital
format, readable by an electronic device.
Digitizing is the process where features on a
map or image are converted into digital format
for use by a GIS.
• Often, digital data for a GIS project is not available, so it must be
created from other existing sources like paper maps.
• Digitizing converts the features on the map into three basic data types:
 Points – zero dimensional objects
 Lines – one dimensional objects
 Polygons – two dimensional objects
Why Digitize?
• New maps
• Map features are wrong
• Missing features
There are three primary methods for digitizing
spatial information:
Manual Methods include:
• Tablet Digitizing
• Heads-up Digitizing
An Automated Method includes:
• Scanning and Vectorization
Tablet Digitizing
Tablet digitizing requires a person to
enter coordinate information through the
use of a digitizing tablet and digitizing
puck.
• A digitizing tablet is a hardened
surface with a fine electrical wire
grid under the surface.
• Digitizing tablets are either
hardened, more stationary tables
or rollup boards designed for
portability.
• A digitizing puck is an electrical
device with cross hairs and
multiple buttons to perform data
entry operations.
• An operator then enters the
information using the puck.
Heads up digitizing
• Heads up digitizing is a combination of scanning and manual
digitizing.
• The main steps in heads up digitizing typically include:
 Scanning the map – a user can scan the map at a high
resolution.
 Registering the map – using the same transformation
methods previously discussed, the user can enter control
points on screen and transform the scanned image to real
world coordinates.
 Digitizing the map – the user can zoom to specific areas on
screen and trace points, lines, or polygons on the map.
Because the maps are already in the correct geographic
coordinate system anything digitized on top of the map
will also be in the correct coordinate system.
Automated Digitizing
• Tools to automatically convert a raster scan to
vector lines.
• Requires a very clean scan.
• Scans can be cleaned using raster cleanup tools.
• The vector files usually require cleanup after
conversion.
• If you start with a clean image it can save a lot of
time.
• If your image is not clean manual digitizing may
be faster.
Automated Tools
Arc Scan Extension in ArcGIS
 New extension since 8.3
 Has clean up tools
 First tools for ArcGIS that work well

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