GDI Design Ltd
GIS Data Capture
GIS Data Capture is the process of collecting and converting geographic information into a format that computers can understand, typically for use in Geographical Information Systems (GIS). It’s essentially the groundwork of any GIS project, as the quality and accuracy of your data determine the value of your analysis.
What data is captured?
- Spatial data: This includes location information like points, lines, and polygons representing things like roads, buildings, and natural features.
- Attribute data: This describes the characteristics of the spatial data, like the name of a street, the height of a building, or the type of vegetation.
There are many methods to capture data, depending on the source and scale of your project:
- Manual digitisation: Tracing features from paper maps or aerial photographs into a digital format.
- Scanning and vectorisation: Scanning paper maps or documents and using software to convert them into digital features.
- GPS and field surveys: Collecting location data directly in the field with GPS devices and recording additional information.
- Remote sensing: Analysing data captured from satellites, drones, or other airborne platforms.
- Existing datasets: Downloading or importing data from government agencies, public datasets, or other sources.
