EASY TRACE

 

Compare R2V and Easy Trace 7.5 PRO software packages (Solamente en Inglés)

Easy Trace User Guide PDF (3K) Solamente en Inglés

 

Advanced raster to vector converter: a powerful semiautomatic tool that enables the operator quickly and easily "take a map to pieces", process and assemble them again.

We had been calling our package “a vectorizer” till the very last time. But Easy Trace PRO today is rather a system (or a program complex maybe) for cartographic data management. This change is caused not by megalomania – it is based on a sober and unbiased estimation of results achieved after a decade of efforts.

Just look – is it right indeed to call simply “vectorizer” a tool sufficient for quick editing of a big city’s vector model? A tool that supports the entire process flowsheet from scanning up to creating of the complete attributive coverage after multicriterion verification. Plus object representation according to their attributive data values, plus means for work shear between many operators, plus…

But it’s better to support the statement by evidence. Here is one of the projects processed in Easy Trace:

 

 

Easy Trace version: 7.7 PRO Scale: 1 : 2000 Map sheet size: 50x50 cm Number of sheets: 436 Data layers: 13 Vector objects 321 238 Attributive records: 1 407 091 Taget GIS: ArcGIS Number of operators: 25 Execution time: 2 months Sheet processing cost: 70USD

 

What is the field of Easy Trace application? REAL DATA PROCESSING first of all. These are xerocopies and badly shabby originals laden with long-term current alternations, i.e. most typical source data for modern GIS.

However, the field of the package application in practice has overstepped the limits we outlined at its elaboration. It is worth something to read in filled forms: “field of activity - crystallography” or “engraving”, isn’t it?

The package has also some other advantages that should be mentioned. These are its universality and carefully elaborated interface of tools – editors and semiautomatic tracers. The first feature makes possible data preparing for any GIS, and the second provides significant time saving even at completely manual vectorizing!

In the near future we shall apparently adapt the software for interpretation of airphotos. We expect the package to show up all benefits of advanced tools for vector data input and editing at this field. But even now, before any adaptation, our users successfully apply the package for 2D – interpretation of orthophotomaps.

What are our own requirements that Easy Trace must meet? We want the package:

• To support the whole process of data preparation, from raster up to vector data with linked attributes;
• To ensure processing of real (low-grade, badly shabby) materials;
• To provide means for parallel operations at secured subsequent data integration into a single whole.
• To be easily run by not so highly skilled operators.
• To demand minimal expenses at introduction of the suggested data input technology.

It’s up to you to decide weather we have succeeded in all these after your acquaintance with the package demo-version. It has ALL abilities of the full-blown one including import and export, and the ONLY LIMITATION concerns the size of available rasters (~ 2000 ? 2000 px), number of layers (~ 16) and number of vector objects per layer (~60).

 

 

Map of a petrochemical plant (fragment). The program supports blocks – a special type of vector objects, useful very much at input of a great number of identical elements.

So, what is the foundation of the package, and what can it do?
Easy Trace technology is based on the idea of a practically unlimited mosaic raster-vector field. Raster files may be greater than 2 G and of any colority. The multi-layer raster mosaic may consist of arbitrary combination of rasters differing in scale and colority. Number of raster layers is unlimited, and every layer may contain up to one million objects. Thus, a vector coverage of an entire city - several hundred thousands of objects and their attributes – may be assembled at a SINGLE working place.

Cartographic data transfer from paper to GIS usually consists of the following stages:

1. Scanning and raster data input.
2. Raster processing (preparation).
3. Raster to vector conversion.
4. Editing, joining, and verification of vector data.
5. Data export into GIS.

Let us dwell on some Easy Trace abilities provided for each of these stages.

1. Scanning and raster data input

• Scanning directly under Easy Trace shell.
• Support of arbitrary raster sets irrespective of their scales and colority.
• Input data of the following formats: PCX, BMP, RLE, TIFF, JPEG, CALS, CIT, DIB.
• Multi-layer "transparent" raster sets.
  

 

Easy Trace es útil para la preparación rápida de un informe operacional basado en diversos rásters de distintas escalas.

• Procesamiento de ráster (preparación)
• Corrección y filtración geométrica.
• Posicionamiento.
• Fusión de fragmentos de ráster.
• Separación de colores y formación de un juego de capas temáticas (para rásters de color).
• Edición de rásters.
• Preparación para la impresión (Pasterización).
• Conversión de ráster a vector (digitalización)
• Modos de rastreo: automático, semiautomático (auto aprendido), manual, ortogonalización, línearización y trazado de curvas de nivel de áreas rellenas o techadas.
• Ingreso opcional de datos atributivos al rastreo.
• Control de calidad de múltiples criterios y edición de la entidad.
• Número ilimitado de capas de vectores, así como de objetos por capa.
• Ingreso semiautomático de valores de altura (coordenada Z).
• Aceleradores para el ingreso de valores de datos atributivos estándar.
• Posibilidad de crear herramientas a la medida con base en rastreadores estándar.
• Soporte de estructura de cadena y nodos, así como poligonal.
• Formación interactiva o automática de vértices y nodos en los cruces de líneas según el cuadro de relaciones.
• Modo para hacer de golpe (snapping mode) "el próximo punto/vértice", copiado de parte lineal, cerrado de línea automático.
• Verificación automática de los datos de salida con base en que se almacene una prueba en el proyecto.

 

 

You may use Easy Trace to prepare a topologic base for an electronic scheme of a plant or a town. The tools for project integration and simultaneous topology verification allow you to divide the work among several working places equipped with the package.

4. Data editing, joining, and verification

• Editing: interactive object-oriented, group, topological.
• Object-oriented control and editing of vector entities.
• Import of vector fragments.
• Generation and filling of database tables (DBF format) for linear and point objects of a layer separately.
• Import of raster/vector data from different widespread GIS for subsequent merging or editing.
• Constant control of data input with the help of thematic data representation or generation of inscriptions.
• Automatic joining of vector fragments into a single whole.
• End control and data export into GIS.
• Revelation and mark of errors, automatic navigation of the Topology Editor at their correction.

5. Data export into GIS

• Export of vector data and raster logging files.
• Compatibility with: ArcINFO, ArcView, AutoCAD, Credo, MapInfo, MicroStation, WinGIS, etc.
• Output vector data of the following formats: SHP, DXF, MIF, GEN, DGN, CSV, ASC, TOP.
• Raster logging files of the following formats: TFW, CPT, TAB.
• Coordinate transformation at export and import based on a set of reference points.

 

Easy Trace allows quick adding of data to already existing ones in target systems. The scales of the existing topologic base and your new data may differ.

Specialized QC tools at attributive data input, possibility to divide the work among many operators and then join these parts, topology verification causes multiple decrease of time spending.
Carefully optimized, friendly interface is also a big advantage of the package. It has absorbed a lot of most successful decisions typical of professional GIS and CAD systems. The package provides laconic, sharp-cut input tools for the operator and means of data control and integration for the project manager.

The practice proves the possibility to create large temporary groups of operators able to fulfill large-scale projects in the shortest time applying the package. Simplicity of familiarization, integrated tools of tracing control, and means for assured data merging force one to revise the views upon the cost of electronic map production.

More than 2000 working places in 24 countries are equipped with Easy Trace today.The package has accumulated our ten-year experience, and it will have a significant place among your tools.