ArcGIS vs. MapInfo - Weebly



ArcGIS vs. MapInfoA Geographic Information System Usability Study[Type the abstract of the document here. The abstract is typically a short summary of the contents of the document. Type the abstract of the document here. The abstract is typically a short summary of the contents of the document.][Year]Paul BeréUniversity of Idaho[Pick the date]Introduction. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are incredibly useful toosl with a wide array of applications for digital mapping. They are used by professionals all over the world for mapping and running disaster simulations. There are numerous software packages on the market but the two leading programs with the broadest range of uses are ArcGIS produced by the Environmental Systems Research Institute and MapInfo by the Pitney Bowes Software Corporation. Both of these programs are suitable for use in cartography and analysis purposes, the main difference is the layout of the programs and how things are done within them due to their different designs. Some functions are better suited for each. This review is intended for someone with a GIS certificate who is seeking the program that best suits their GIS needs and preferences for a job or project.Methods. In the following analysis of the two programs it is assumed that the reader has a significant base knowledge of GIS such as the various forms of metadata formats and when it is best to use each. For ArcGIS version 10.1 was used and for MapInfo Professional version 11.5 was used. The test was performed on my ASUS laptop model ULV0VT, running Windows 7 with a U7300 1.30 GHz processor. I had access to the ArcGIS software package courtesy of the University of Idaho. I was able to obtain my own copy of MapInfo online. I performed a series of tasks in each and have listed them below.-Opening a new document-Loading Metadata-Viewing Metadata-Layering Data-Shifting between data layers-Constructing new files--Running spatial analysisAfter performing the tasks I created the following table with my findings.Task/CategoryArcGISMapInfoRe-draw or re-position map regions (eg., planning zones, zip codes, town boundaries.)No “UnDo” command.Cannot edit Arc/Info format data; can edit “shape file” format data.Cannot add points (vertices) to re-shape an existing region shape. Can display but cannot import regions defined by more than 5,000 pointsStrong map editing features.Can build and edit regions defined by up to 32,000 points.Can reverse edits with?UnDo?bine, split, and trim map regions.Merge adjacent regions (shape file format only). No “polygon overlay” operations, so cannot split one region with another or trim one region to fit the adjacent region bine regions, split one region with another region, and “erase” an area of overlap between regions.Adjacency, “buffers”, and proximity: What's happening nearby.Can select within a buffer but does not create the buffer zone for use in further analysis.Very limited ability to build new map layers from combinations of old layers.Easy implementation of “near” functions.Buffer regions built automatically with ring or buffer objects retained. Buffer size controlled by data putes “near” and distance functions, but via relatively complex method.Most sophisticated features to compute intersections and overlaps among regions.Screen Digitizing: e.g., Update maps using aerial photosCan display photo images (raster data) as backdrop. Significant limitations: No way to interrupt screen re-draws, therefore much slower.Can display photo images as backdrop. Can interrupt screen re-draws.Ease with which users maintain data files, track data lineage, and general system administration.Shape-file map data is easy to maintain. Binary Arc/Info format data cannot be moved between directories or stored in the same sub-directories without risk of losing attribute data links.Limited method for tracking metadata (for data lineage purposes).Typically operates under Windows or WindowsNT so good compatibility with other Windows systems.MapInfo format data can be copied between directories or stored in the same sub-directories without risk of losing attribute data links.MapInfo format data is binary-compatible between Windows, Macintosh & UNIX versions of MapInfo.Limited method for tracking metadata (for data lineage purposes).Typically operates under Windows or Windows NT so good compatibility with other Windows systems.Theme maps: Data driven color-coding and symbolization.Rich set of options including ranged fills, pie diagrams, and dot density fills.Supports “transparent” crosshatching fills.Awkward key legend box features.Richest set of thematic options including ranged fills, pie diagrams, and dot density fills plus use “natural break,” standard deviation, and other categorization methods.Supports “transparent” fill patterns.Recommendations. Each of these programs has their own strengths and weaknesses. MapInfo is more basic and good for dealing with relatively small data sets. Its strength is its simplicity, since the program uses a less complex model it has shorter load times is less prone to system crashes. Another strength it has is when it comes to actually vector data. You can alter the data directly by doing things such as adding segments to existing lines without having to create a new file elsewhere and reload it. ArcGis is much more complex and thus requires greater system requirements and is prone to crash occasionally due to the large volumes of data it processes at once and the complex model it uses. It is a bit more modern in its appearance, has an improved/easier to use graphic user interface in my opinion, and just looks more impressive overall. It is also much better for analysis purposes such as running models for events due to its greater data capacity and thus greater accuracy. It also has the benefit of making it much easier to create a geodatabase. Summary. Basically what it comes down to is MapInfo is better for creating and editing maps, where ArcGIS is better suited for Analysis. While ArcGIS has become the industry standard here in the United States it is far more difficult to learn due to its complexity and depth, it also costs about 10 times as much. ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download