Representation

of
Spatial Objects
Dr. Gatot H. Pramono
[email protected]

ITM 625 – [03] Rep Spatial Obj 1

 Objectives
To understand the following concepts:
Modeling of geographic space:
entity- and field-based models
Modes of representation:
tessellation, vector, half-plane
Geometry representation:
spaghetti, network, topology

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 Scope
 The space of interest is Rd (Euclidean
distance) in which the dimension d is 2.
Objects are referred to x (abscissa) and y
(ordinate) axises.
Map projection is ignored.
Limited only in the particular area of
interest.

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 Geog Space Modeling
It can be classified as:
Entity-based models
(object- or feature-based models)
Field-based models
(space-based models)

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 Entity-Based Model
It views the world consisting of objects,
entities or features.
A geographic object is composed of:
Identity
Spatial object
Common description
Interpretation depends on the description
Types of spatial objects:
Points (0-D): when shape is not useful or small
object
Polyline (1-D): representing networks
Polygon (2-D): showing the coverage or area

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 Polyline
Polyline is a finite set of
line segments or edges
such that each vertex
is shared by 2
segments, except for 2
endpoints (extreme
points).
Types:
Closed: 2 extreme
points are identical
Simple: no intersection
Monotone: projected
on a line at one point

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 Polygon
Surfacic objects are used for
representing entities with
large areas surrounded by
polyline (boundary)
Types:
Simple: bounded by simple
polyline
Convex
Monotone: simple polygon
which can be split into 2
monotone polylines
To be noted:
Choice is based on scale
It can be approximated by
high order polynomial, but it
needs more storage capacity.

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 Convexity
A convex polygon has:
Interrior with convex set
Internal angles < 180º
Every point is visible from other points

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 Field-Based Model
Each point in space is associated
with a value.
A continuous model.
Similar to raster representation.
Example: precipitation, temperature
and polution.

ITM 625 – [03] Rep Spatial Obj 9

 Representation Modes
These are practical implementations
of geometric information.
Difficulty: infinite point sets of the
euclidean space.
The represantation modes are:
Tessellation: discrete
Vector: data structure
Half-plane : data structure

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 Tessellation
Represented as grid (cells)
Known as discrete model, spatial resolution
model, tiling or meshes
High resolution results in high memory space
Analysis is usually converted to vector
Can be divided as:
Fixed (regular) mode: raster; remote
sensing images
Variable (irregular) mode: zoning for
social, demographic or economic data

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 Tessellation
Regular tessellation

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 Tessellation
Irregular tessellation:
cadastral zones & Thiessen polygons

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 Vector Mode
Objects are constructed from points and
edges
Not much storage space is required
Complex data structure
Representation:
Point: x & y coordinates
Polyline: list of vertex
Polygon: list of vertex with closed
polyline
Region: a set of polygons

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 Vector Mode
Polyline: simple, non-simple, not the one

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 Vector Mode
Field-based data:
TIN (triangulated
irregular network)
which consists of:
Point: elevation
Edge: slope
Triangle: aspect

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 Half-Plane Mode
A line segment is a convex polytope of
dimension 1, defined by intersection of two
half-lines
A polyline is a polyhedron of dimension 1,
obtained by union of some line segments
 A convex polygon with n edges is defined
as the intersection of n half-planes defined
by lines
A nonconvex polygon is constructed from
several convex polygons

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 Half-Plane Mode
Convex &
nonconvex
polygons

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 Geometry Representation
Focuses on entity-based models and
vector-based representation
About representation of collections of
spatial objects
About relationships among objects of the
same collection
Representations:
Spaghetti
Network
Topological

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 Spaghetti Model
The geometry of any spatial objects is
described independently of other objects
Advantages: simplicity & easy data input
Weaknesses:
Topology is not stored
Redundancy: boundary of 2 regions is
represented twice
Mixing of point, line and polygon
Intersection is not recognized

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 Network Model
Topology among points and
polylines is stored
It contains nodes and arcs
Initially used for network
applications: transportation
services & utility
management
Types:
Planar: edge intersection
is defined as node
Nonplanar: edges may
cross but not intersect

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 Topological Model
Similar to planar network model
Arcs as polylines and boundary of
2 polygons
Redundancy but good for access:
polygons are accessible from
polygons and arcs
Advantage: topology, update
consistency
Problems:
Some spatial objects have
no
meaning in the real world
Complex structure may slow
down computation
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