Geographic Information Systems

Different types of vector data

1
Representing Spatial Elements

RASTER

VECTOR

Real World

2
 Data in GIS

Spatial Non-Spatial

− Nominal / Categories
Vector Raster TIN
− Ordinal / Ranks
− Interval
Grid
Line / polyline

Image
Point

Polygon

− Ratio
− Cyclic
− Counts and amounts

3
 Representing Spatial Elements
Vector
• Allows user to specify specific spatial
locations and assumes that
geographic space is continuous, not
broken up into discrete grid squares

• We store features as sets of X,Y

4
 Vector Data Terminology
• A vertex (plural vertices) or node is a point that specifies a
position on a line for arcs, polylines polygons.

Internodes

End node
Begin node

5
• Points: A 0-dimensional abstraction of an object represented
by a single X,Y co-ordinate.
• A point normally represents a geographic feature too small
to be displayed as a line or area.
• e.g. the location of a building location on a small-scale map,
water well, sampling site etc.

A point can have

6
Vector Data Types

https://desktop.arcgis.com/en/arcmap/latest/extensions/3d-analyst/3d-polyline-features.htm
• Vector data is composed of discrete coordinates
• e.g. points, line (also polylines) and polygons
• Coordinates are typically provided in geographic format
(latitude/longitude)
• Some point features, such as airplane locations need to also
include a z-value, or height, to correctly locate itself in 3D
space.
• These objects must be modeled as 3D point features.

7
Vector Data Types
• 3D point features embed their z-coordinates inside the
geometry of their feature class.
• This means that z-values are automatically included with
every new point feature, allowing it to represent any 3D
position in space - regardless of whether that point is on,
above, or below the ground.

8
 https://desktop.arcgis.com/en/arcmap/latest/extensions/3d-analyst/3d-polyline-features.htm
• Lines: The simplest 1-dimensional object is a straight line
between two points or polyline when there are more than
two points
• Lines are having direction and magnitude (length) hence
a typical vector data

9
• A set of ordered co-ordinates that represent the shape of
geographic features too narrow to be displayed as an area at
the given scale (e.g. Roads, canals, rivers, contours, street
centrelines or linear features with no area (county boundary
lines)).
• A lines is synonymous with an arc.

A line can have

10
• Some line features such as underground subway lines, need to also
include z-values, or heights, to correctly locate themselves in 3D

https://desktop.arcgis.com/en/arcmap/latest/extensions/3d-analyst/3d-polyline-features.htm
space.
• These objects must be modeled as 3D line features.
• 3D line features embed their z-values inside the geometry, or Shape
field, of their feature class.
• This means that z-values are automatically included with every new
vertex created for the 3D line, allowing it to connect any two points
together, regardless of whether they are on, above, or below the
ground.
• Examples of 3D line features: underground transportation lines, aircraft
flight paths, line-of-sight lines between buildings, and transportation
networks inside skyscrapers.
11
• Polygons (area): It is 2-dimensional object
• A feature used to represent areas. An area is fully
encompassed by a series of connected lines
• A polygon is defined by the lines that make up its
boundary and a point inside its boundary for
identification. Polygons have attributes that describe the
geographic feature they represent.
• Because lines have direction, the system can determine
the area that falls within the lines comprising the
polygon.

12
• Each polygon contains one type of data (e.g., vegetation,
streets, and dispatch locations would be different
polygons)

A polygon can have

13
• Polygon features have two separate parts that can

https://desktop.arcgis.com/en/arcmap/latest/extensions/3d-analyst/3d-polygon-features.htm
potentially be modeled in 3D: their exterior perimeter line
and their interior area.
• In nearly all instances, polygons should be modeled as 3D
features only when the exterior perimeter needs to include z-
values, or heights, to correctly locate itself in 3D space.
• Examples of 3D polygon features mostly relate to areas that
help define a surface.
• Examples include: lake boundaries, building footprints, and
street curb lines

14
THANKS

15