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Digitizing

Introduction

Digitizing is the method of converting image data to vector digital data. This allows for easier processing, storage, and analysis. Digitizing is an important fundamental in Geographic Information Systems as it allows for accurate and detailed digital maps, which improve visualization and efficiency. The objective of this lab was to introduce basic digitizing techniques, adding and editing methods, such as splitting, merging, and auto-complete digitizing.

Resources Used

ArcGIS Pro

GIS Fundamentals: A First Text on Geographic Information Systems 6th Edition

Steps/Process

Part 1

The first part of this lab was to understand what digitizing is and to learn how to use online software to digitize a specific area. We were provided with a map of May Township, Minnesota. We were introduced to features such as feature datasets, which allowed us to create layers and feature classes. We created three Feature Classes: buildings, as a point geometry type, roads, as a polyline, and ponds, as a polygon. These three classes would be what we will manually digitize. Before digitizing, we switched the coordinate system to NAD83 (2011) UTM Zone 15N. After ensuring that our coordinate system was correct and setting up a Snapping environment, we began creating our features on the map. In this, we learned how to manually digitize features, correct mistakes, remove features, and modify them. Below is the final product.

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Part 2

The next step of this lab was practicing adding and editing techniques. This involved skills like splitting, merging, and auto-complete digitizing. We first practiced polygon autocompletion, which is essentially drawing a polygon that shares a boundary with another polygon. These skills increase accuracy as it eliminates the need to re-digitize shared boundaries between features. The next skill learned was merging. This allows for features to be digitized in parts or merged after splits and updates. The last skill practiced was splitting, which is the opposite of merging. We practiced all these skills on two separate maps. Below is the final practice.

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Summary

In the past, this was all done by hand, which introduced human error, map distortion, and positional errors. Online software, like ArcGIS Pro, not only speeds up the process but also eliminates human error by margins. Digitization has transformed its capabilities, leading to increased data accuracy, which facilitates collaboration and real-time data integration. It is the backbone of modern GIS and strongly impacts the UAS industry by enabling advanced automation and data analytics. This lab has introduced useful techniques such as snapping, splitting, and polygon autocompletion.

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