In spite of our sincere wish to slow down a little for careful documenting of the package's new abilities (as it was promised in the previous release) we didn't manage to do it.

We were offered a new order for tracing with (almost unbelievably!) the right to determine the format of initial images. What did it result in? ALL THE IMAGES WERE VECTORIZED IN THE AUTOMATIC MODE! And these were usual topographic maps on the 1:200 000 scale - color ones, rather worn and faded, with rather smeared printing.

The format of raster files we used was - 16 million colors, 500 dpi. Do not consider the resolution too high - the gap between neighboring lines was often equal to 1-2 pixels even in this case.

The focus upon automatic tracing required revision of some tools of course, and this was our recent task. Now we would like to represent the results.

Some explanations for those who didn't deal with automatic tracing. Unlike drawings, there are no real lines in topographic maps, only there fragments (or traces sometimes!) broken by numerous inscriptions and spots of different colors. There are also shifts of primary colors at printing, interpenetration of inks, fading, and whatever else. That is why automatic tracing of such maps is followed by analysis and correction of received vector data. It does not work as "press the button - get the result" but saves hundreds and even thousands of man-hours if you process several tens of topographic maps.

So, the following was done:

OPERATIONS WITH THE IMAGE

Successful vectorizing is largely dependant on the quality of images. No automatic processing is possible without proper images - only tedious manual tracing.


• Processing speed is linked directly with image size and resolution. It is recommended to increase the resolution up to 500-600 dpi but to make the size of the image minimal. Already positioned images received from the customer with huge white margins may be cropped in the project without lost of positioning.
  
  The project tool Crop Image/Specify Borders is completely revised. Similar to its image analogue, it allows both rectangular and arbitrary (trapeziform for instance) cropping. You may use any closed vector contour as cropping boundary, for example the frame of the project.
  
  Besides cropping, the tool may define borders of image representation and thus allows to arrange nonrectangular images into the correct mosaic coverage. Joining of neighboring sheets of a topographic map has become a very simple task.
  
  
• Separation is a powerful technique at extraction of subject layers. If objects of different themes have the same color (red roads and puce contour lines) you may separate them by deletion of roads from the image. To do it, vectorize the roads first and then imprint them into the image using white color and line width up to 20 pixels. The Rasterize Vector Data tool was improved for this purpose.
  
  By the way, there is a convenient method for tracing of center lines of the roads represented by two parallel black lines. Separate the black-and-white thematic layer of black objects and do not invert it but apply adjacency filtering with 2/2 parameters twice. Black lines become much thicker, and white pixels between them represent center lines that may be successfully vectorized automatically.
  
  
• The Extraction of Subject Layers tool has become the main instrument at image preparing for vectorizing. Its design and algorithms were alternated and new options added.
  
  The sequence order of its controls now determines the the order of their applying. The algorithm of separation/sieving of grey tints is improved.
  
  The "Ignore black color" option is added for efficient use of the tool after the Unsharp mask operation.
  
  You may specify now what will undergo filtering at extraction - the lines extracted from the image or the mask applied to it.
  
  
• Extraction of thematic layers from a color image is a nontrivial task, it may require several attempts with different order of tool application and different parameters. It is rather difficult to remind all the details later. That is why the log of image operations is added. It is a text file in the fold where to the processed image is saved. Quick access to the log is provided by the new item of the menu - Operation Journal (или Log?). As a rule, the same sequence of operations is suitable for the entire series of images.
  
  
• Mask filtering was the longest operation in the process flowsheet of image preparing for vectorizing. The situation is improved now, and we even apply mask filters 2-3 times at preparing of one black-and-white image.
  
  This improvement is based on Intel multicore processors and efforts of our programmers who have disintegrated filtering into several flows. PC utilization at filtering is 100%, and the time of the operation does not exceed 2-3 minutes.
  
  At that 100% utilization does prevent extraction of the next image.
  
  
• Some alternations in keyboard control of the Rectangular Crop and Move and Scale Image tools of the project. Displacement step is ONE SCREEN PIXEL now. The more is the screen output scale of the image, the more exact is the operation.
  
  
AUTOMATIC TRACIN UTILITIES


• First of all, operations of line (contour) tracing and filtering are separated. After tracing, you may fulfill several quick tests of "vector debris" filtering. Selection of correct parameters will save you from manual deletion of numerous "branches", "bridges" and other "litter".
  
  By the way, two new parameters are added for "branch" deletion so that cleaning of broken lines has become almost perfect.
  
  
• The Specify Area item of the menu is deleted. The area of automatic tracing should be specified directly from the Automatic Line Tracing dialog box.
  
  
• Automatic tracing is designed as an individual flow. It means, you may do something else during this operation.
  
  
• The Gap Removing operation should be done after "debris" deletion but before final backfitting of vector data. Quality of automatic line restoring from separate fragments controls directly the time of final correction.
  
  If the vector line is represented by small shapeless fragments, it is impossible to restore it basing on their directions. But line trajectory may be reconstructed still if the fragments are considered as points! So the Consider short fragments as points option is added to the utility. It tightens fragments into points regardless of their direction. Line reconstruction through points is based on the Bezier curve as before.
  
  
VECTOR EDITING TOOLS


• Abilities, the Vector Eraser was short of are provided at last:
  
  
  • First, the Eraser can cut lines now. It acts like scissors of the Editor if you keep the CTRL key pressed. The tool has TREE modes now. The White one - to delete vertices, the Red - one touch deletion of lines, and the Blue one - to delete vertices with line cut at the contact point. Use the SHIFT key as before to switch line/vertex deletion;
    
    
  • Second, the tool does not block the Show Vertices mode any more. It just remembers the mode last selected at tool applying and switch it on automatically. By the way, vertices do not hinder working if you specify their size equal to 1 pixel.
    
    
  • Third, the polyline last touched by the Eraser becomes active when you select the Join Polylines option of the Editor. You have only to specify the second line for joining.
    
    
• The Topology Editor is also alternated - the Pull vertices together mode is added. One click gathers all the nearby vertices into the specify location. Radius of gathering should be specified in the Tool bar in pixels.
  
  Hot keys may be assigned to the pull together/edit vertices modes for their convenient selection.
  
  
• Similar to curvilinear joining of line segments in the Editor, line closing along the Bezier curve is provided when the Shift key is pressed. It is particularly convenient for closing of small contours. Just press the SHIFT+D combination (and then CTRL+Z if you were unlucky)...
  
  
• For Panorama users: the Insert Block tool is alternated. There are three kinds of insertion angle definition now - arbitrary (by the image), fixed, and according to the vector baseline.
  
  The "fix the angle" option is added for the "by the baseline " mode - one-click block insertion at an angle specified relatively the baseline. Two clicks are required if the option is off - one for insertion point specifying and the second for block rotation in 180 deg. relatively the baseline.
  
  The new-inserted block may be rotated in 180 deg. by the Reverse Polyline hot key.
  
  In the "fix the angle" mode, the block has a specified angle relatively the baseline. Reversion of the block in this mode causes reversion of the baseline direction as well.
  
  These are the rules of slope marks (berg-hachures) input (as individual objects!) in Panorama and we had to get out of the difficulty somehow...
  
  
• The Block, Circle, Text, and 3D-Polyline object types are added to the Tale of Attributes. Some bugs are eliminated.
  
  
• The Blocks dialog box is revised. It has become stretchable, pop-up prompts are provided in the table for partly visible values, sorting is improved, block "cropping" at viewing is eliminated.
  
  
UTILITIES


• Report generation (the Information command) is revised. The command is a convenient and useful tool providing real data on the number and length of vector entities in the project. And real information means fair payment and away with wage-leveling! So:
  
  
  • structure of the report is alternated (simplified);
  • the program generates the report as an Excel document rather than a CSV-file;
  • a dialog box is added that allows selection of the data to be represented in the report.
    
    
IMPORT \ EXPORT


• Import from Panorama:
  - Full field descriptions are being exported together with the qualifier. Easy Trace uses them as prompts for brief names of attributive fields;
  - The "Delete the zone number prefix from X-coordinate" option is added : when on, it deletes 1 or 2 first characters of X-coordinates (zone number taken from the passport of the map);
  - The bug is eliminated - the program didn't import semantics into a ready project (with Panorama-like tables).
  
  
• Export into Panorama (symmetric to Import):
  - The option"Add zone number to X-coordinates" is provided;
  - Bug correction: after encounter of an object with undefined _OBJ_TYPE, the program didn't export other;
  - Check of polygon orientation: outer contour should be counter-clockwise;
  - Attribute export for all objects (including text and blocks);
  - Additional check of text-type objects - if the "SEM9" field (i.e. inscription) exists and if it is filled. If empty, the inscription will be copied there to.
  
  

New releases of Easy Trace PRO have usually 3-4 months apart but this version is an exception. The rate of program development didn't leave us time to "polish" and publish the next release. Even now it would be better to wait till completion of new HELP, project examples and descriptions of new technologies but the opening of the International Cartographic Conference in Moscow on the 5th of August gave us the deadline and forced to reveal the beta-version. Final design of the distribution kit will be ready within a month.

Actually, the Beta prefix is not so important. Every new improvement of Easy Trace is immediately checked and used by our vectorizing team, so the version is quite efficient. The only difference is the lack of instructions and explanations and they are coming soon.

So, what is new in Easy Trace PRO v8.4:

• Fundamental simplification of attributive data control thanks to the Attribute Tables dialog box floating above the project field. One click is sufficient for transfer from a record to the corresponding object. It has become very easy to find empty fields and records made in wrong fields. Besides, record filtering in the table is provided. The filter is made as a compound query builder.
  
  
• New powerful ability of the Unsharp Mask tool - mask preparing by patterns taken from the image. Some mask modifying commands are added - rotation, reflection, flip, shifts, undo. Automatic navigation by changed pixels is provided that is extremely useful at mask checkout and performance analysis.
  
  
• Comparison of black-and-white images is developed further to the Unsharp Mask tool, i.e. you may now compare black-and-white files prepared in different ways. Traditionally for Easy Trace, differences of the images are shown by blinking "added" and "deleted" pixels.
  
  
• Several new mask filters are added, for example one for hachures representing bogs in topographical maps. In combination with a new utility it enables automatic bog outlining. Two other filters are also intended for topographical maps - one of them prepare black lines for automatic tracing and the other standardizes points (in a separate image) for further automatic tracing of dot lines.
  
  
• The new Image Thinning command increases efficiency of mask filtering. Joining of gaped lines and deletion of false "bridges" becomes more reliable if thick lines in the image were previously made thinner. Results of semiautomatic tracing also will be better. As the thinned image looks unconventionally, we recommend to use a "sandwich" made of the initial image and the thinned image placed below it .
  
  
• Separation of thematic layers is improved significantly - the tool can see "gray" lines now i.e. lines that resemble black ones. It helps to separate topographical information from color images. Besides, deletion of "non-target" canal data is added that eliminates admixtures of unneeded colors.
  
  
• In the preview mode, all raster tools can now show four arbitrary areas of the image at once. You needn't any more "run" along the big image to estimate possible results of the tool applying in different image parts.
  
  
• The Rasterize Vector Data utility is revised. It has become easier to delete the data you have already vectorized from the image and thus to enable automatic tracing of remaining information. The following sequence of steps is particularly effective: Image thinning + Subtraction of THIN vector lines + Mask filtering + Automatic tracing.
  
  
• Many raster tools are improved - they became faster and may be applied to the specified area. It enables you to ignore margins and helps to check the image processing technology on a small image fragment.
  
  
• A new technology is developed for thematic layer extraction from low-resolution images with a small number of colors. It is a resource-intensive processing of images stretched twice. Scope of processing is quadruplicated but it will be surely be repaid by time saving during vectorizing.
  
  A special tool is also developed, which restores the initial size of the image with connectivity control of selected lines.
  
  
• Import and export to the MAP format (Panorama) is deeply revised. Transmission of Panorama semantics to the names of Easy Trace attributes is provided. Just try to prepare data for Panorama in ET and appreciate saving of time!
  
  
• New abilities are added for export / import to the DGN format - objects of the Complex Chain and Complex Shape types are supported .
  
  
• At JET import (Easy Trace inner format), it is possible now to form a file of reference points (CPT) applying a file of image positioning (TFW, TAB) for use at transformation. Necessary parameters appear automatically on the Transform page after cpt-file generation.

• The dialog box for tracing strategies forming and editing is completely revised. Adjustment of tracers - main ET tools - has become even easier.
  
  
• The Curvilinear Tracer obtained the modes of one-click polygon forming and cutting. It is enough to click any point inside the future polygon.
  
  
• Interpolation is improved for the Dotwise Tracer. Automatic tracing of dot lines became more correct.
  
  
• Hatched Area Tracer is improved. It outlines hatched polygons (bogs in topographical maps) much better now.
  
• Vector entities of the Block and Text types have got attributes at last similar to other vector objects.
  
  
• The Eraser tool for vector objects is completely renewed. Now it can erase INDIVIDUAL VERTICES in polylines. This feature of the tool is very useful at preparing of automatically vectorized lines to merging and line form optimization.
  
  
• The Z-tool can now process three more layers - auxiliary contours, water edge lines and bathymetric contours. Besides, it has become much more "clever". You needn't take the Editor at all any more - the tool can change the type of any isoline if it is wrong.
  
  The usual F and V keys help to find contours without Z-values. Just press the hot key to be "carried" to the next object that need your attention.
  
  
• Generation of inscriptions at vector object input is improved.
  
  
• A new idea has appeared in Easy Trace - marked objects. Arbitrary objects may be selected with the help of selection criteria forming in the Group Editor. If you make them marked, it will be possible later to navigate by them applying hot keys or submenu commands as it is possible for error marks.
  
  
• The Topology Check-up utility is alternated: you may specify supporting layers now. The program does not check them by considers at topology verification. It helps to avoid finding of false errors.
  
  
• The Auto Tracing utility has new options now, and its adjustment has become more simple and obvious.
  
  
• An utility is added for automatic input of contours' Z-values. Up to 97% of isolines receives height values automatically if their ends are snapped to the frame.
  
  
• The Polyline Joining utility is revised deeply and fundamentally. It has become really "clever".
  
  
• The way of storage of attribute icons, custom tools, and filling patterns is changed. They are collected in a common file now, and do not "fall off" at project transfer from one computer to another. Acceleration of project copying is an additional bonus...
  
  
• View modes are somewhat alternated. In the Polyline Ends mode, closed lines may be ignored to make the picture more informative. Besides, you may decrease the size of vertices to facilitate visual perception of the entire situation.
  
• The Unverified Objects Verification view mode is elaborated to browsing of all marked objects. Mark deletion at attribute review remains.
  
  
  And that is far from being all. Numerous small improvements and bug deletions will be described some time later.
  
  

Nothing accelerates progress of the package so efficiently as the projects we do ourselves. Our recent projects were based on color images and required a lot of polygon forming out of hatched areas (bogs) and color fillings (forests, lakes, etc.).

Strange though it may seem, we mostly do it in automatic mode. In addition, forest borders were strictly coordinated with lines of rivers and roads when necessary.

In the course of the work we improved old tools of the package, created new ones, and found some useful ways of their combined applying. Articles about these discoveries will be added to the Technology page in the near future, and now we shall just mention them briefly.

It remains only to wonder why these simple and useful ideas were not realized long ago. To avoid such omissions in future, Easy Trace Group most earnestly asks the users to send us any criticism, wishes and suggestions you have about the package.

• We strongly recommend to dim colors of the image as much as possible. It does not cause problems for visual recognition of objects but vector lines become well distinguishable against a dark background. At that you may assign similar hues to vector layers without fear to confuse them.

  There was previously a problem with dim images - tools' cursors and "rubber bands" of tracers were poorly distinguishable in them. So, we have changed the cursors where necessary, and now they are clearly visible against any background as well as ones of editors.
  
  

Initially ...	Dimmed ...




• Another seemingly insignificant alternation concerns the "Snap distant" term. Previously, a tool could seize an object or a vertex when the distance to it didn't exceed this value measured in screen pixels and dependent on size of the square representing the vertex. It was a conflicting idea - small squares better represent the line but are difficult to hit and vice versa.

  So, vertex size and snap distance are independent parameters now. To specify the snap distance value, open Service->Project Parameters->View.
  

  DIGITIZATION

• The autoclose mode of tracers enables easy polygon forming when a closed ark-and-node contour is ready. But you have to specify two points on the boundary of future polygon, and it may be rather difficult sometimes.
  
  A new mode is provided for tracers now in addition to the manual and automatic ones - One-click polygon creation. You just click any point inside the polygon you want to create and it will be formed automatically if there is a topologically correct closed contour around this point formed by fragments of lines and polygon boundaries.
  
  The mode was particularly useful at coordination of automatically traced polygons that represented forests with polylines of rivers and roads, which bordered them. Of course, we applied the Topology Correction utility first to form common vertices at polygons and polylines crossings.
  
  
• It is necessary to edit borders of polygons (especially traced automatically) at polygon cover coordination with linear objects.
  
  Polygon extension is very simple - start and finish the polyline of its new boundary on the existing one in the autoclose mode and then add the new-created polygon to the polygon you are editing.
  
  Now, a new mode is provided for equally simple deletion of a polygon part - Cut of polygons part. It is available at manual and automatic tracing and also in the One-click polygon creation mode . Just press SHIFT to switch the mode on/off. The cursor becomes red or gets additional symbol (x) in the polygon deletion mode to indicate difference from common tracing.
  
  
• Individual buttons are provided in the Parameters Bar of tracers for automatic and manual tracing mode to exclude ambiguity at mode selection.
  
  
• The algorithm of line segment copying is generally revised (this operation is particularly important at forming of adjoining polygons and coordination of polygonal and linear objects). Besides, all polyline vertices automatically become visible when the mode is on and return to the initial presentation mode when it is off.
  
  
• At attributive data input for a polyline during tracing or immediately on its completion, the line will be represented as if selected with the Editor. It simplifies visual control - which line receives the attributes.
  
  
• The following way of duplex line tracing (roads, etc.) proved to be useful. In color images, it is enough to trace the color "clamped" between two black lines after forming of an additional color set. For a black-and-white image, make an additional raster layer with the help of the Invert command and add it to the project.
  
  (Note, that the package also provides another way to vectorize the roadway and its axial line - you may trace one of the lines and apply the Band Polygon command).
  
  The algorithm of color set forming by a template from a "seed-point" was revised for better road tracing along the color between two black lines.
  
  
• The Auto Tracing Utility is alternated a little: automatic "View all" scaling mode at start of the utility is canceled. At selection of autotracing parameters, you may now compare them inspecting a chosen part of the image (without searching this part after every test).
  
  

  UTILITIES

• The Autodetect Swamps utility is added to the utility group designed for after-treatment of vectors after automatic tracing. It is well known that bogs in topographical materials are represented by a conventional symbol (a series of horizontal lines) whereas GIS interprets them as polygons. ALthough Easy Trace has a specialized tool for bog tracing , some maps may be too complicated for it. For example, in Siberia one sheet of a topological map 1:400 000 may contain several thousands bogs of complex shape.
  
  The Autodetect Swamps utility automatically creates polygons requiring just little manual correction basing on digitized hatches. On the whole, the process comprises:
  • isolation of hydrography layer with the Subject Layer Extraction tool ;
    
    
  • filtering - the Swapms extraction strategy;
    
    
  • automatic vectorization;
    
    
  • "trash" deletion, identification of hatches, and polygon forming with the Autodetect Swamps utility

hydrography layer is isolated...	... filtered
traced automatically ...	hatches are identified and polygons formed

Note: the utility may be useful even if you are not going to trace bogs at all! Rivers, lakes, and bogs are often represented in the same blue color in topographical maps. When hatches of bogs are identified, digitized, and deleted from the source image, you receive "pure" hydrography. In our project for example there were more than one thousand lakes and rivers only in two map sheets. We managed to separate them from bogs and trace automatically.

• The set of mask filters is increased - new filters are added for arial objects and for hatches (bogs).
  
  
• The Topology Optimization utility got a new feature - you may now specify editable and "frozen" (unalterable) layers. Similar to the Topology Correction utility, there is the snowflake mark near "frozen" layers, and the pencil mark near editable ones.
  
  

  EDITOR

• Attributive data input as a separate operation (rather than a step of object tracing) is convenient when the map contains a lot of objects with similar attributes. It both speeds up digitization and enables you to use the Group Editor . On the other hand, search and selection of objects without attributes takes much time even in the specialized view mode of their "highlighting" .
  
  Now the Editor provides automatic targeting of objects without attributes with the help of the and keys in the "Objects without ID" mode. I.e. you needn't change scale and manually scroll the working window in search of such objects.
  
  Actually, we applied the same mechanism as for navigation by error marks, which is already habitual for ET users. It is also added to the Z-input tool for search of contours without Z values.
  
  
• The navigation itself is somewhat improved. First, a "buffer zone" along the border of the working window is provided. It saves from situation when the error mark is partly visible on the border and the error it indicates is already outside the screen.
  
  Second, it is convenient to place long objects in the center of the working window. That's why the When moving to the next object always place it to center of the screen option is available now in the System Settings dialog box ("Others" page). It controls object positioning at execution of the «Next error » and «Previous error » commands.
  
  When the option is off, an object situated within the working window and outside the 10% buffer zone will not be placed in the center.
  
  

  Z-INPUT TOOL

• The following alternations are made in the Z-input tool :
  
  
  • The "Go to the nearest uninitialized contour" command is added to the tool submenu. When selected, the working window shifts and the nearest contour without Z-value appears in the center;
    
  • The commands "Delete Z labels" and "Parameters" are deleted from the tool's Parameters bar;
    
  • "Z-checking" option in the Parameters bar is renamed for "Confirm"
    
    
• "Z Parameters " dialog box is alternated:
  
  
  • the fields Zmin and Zmax are transferred to the "View" page ;
    
  • the Basic Z value field is added in the "Main" page (to be used when zero Z value is not provided for intermediate or index contours, e.g. -50, 50, 150...);
    
  • Z palette gets renewed at alternation of the range of possible Z values.
    
    
• Z indication mode is improved:
  
  
  • non-contour polylines (ones belonging to the layers, which are not listed in the table in the "Main" page) are drawn in gray. They don't hamper Z input any more and you needn't switch them off;
    
  • presentation of text objects (also in gray) is restored (it was canceled when the "Show Text " mode was added ).

• Scientific type of number presentation in the "Z" field is canceled. "E" may be now used as a hot key.
  
  

  MISCELLANEOUS

• The Project Parameters->View dialog box is alternated: there are only two color sets now - for black-and-white and color images correspondingly. Size of cursor, vertex, etc. is common for both color sets.
  
  
• Bug is corrected in the Line Forming utility (Auto Tracing group) - it ignores ends of unclosed polylines now to avoid forming of numerous unwanted segments.
  
  
• A lot of new prompts are added that appear in the Status Bar at different situations. Besides, special fields are provided for option explanation in some dialog boxes.
  
  

• Upper bound of line width in regular and group editors is increased up to 20
  
  
• Auto-detecting circles utility is fixed: there was an error of radius reduction to templates specified.
  
  
• Auto-detecting ortho-objects utility: option allowing deletion of original polylines is added
  
  
• The bug of closing command of ortho-tracer is fixed.
  
  
• Inscriptions generation utility:
  
  
  • the parameter “Put inscriptions to the layer” is stored for every inscription template separately;
    
    
  • the parameter “Start editing of inscription” is moved to Attributes dialog.
    
    
• Project inspection utility: the error of start scale definition is fixed.
  
  
• Text editor: the error of text extent definition is fixed. This error sometimes caused the problems of text catching.
  
  
• Topology utilities: the error of test import is fixed.
  
  

• The Inscription Tool first developed for the previous ET version proved to be extremely useful and thus we made efforts for its further improvement. First of all, you may now specify an area you want to review rather than to revise entire project. It means that the tool may be applied for "nonrectangular" projects, for selective inspection of a user-specified zone, and inspection may start at any area of the project.
  
  Besides, you may now change review scale (frame size) and frame overlapping without operation restart from the beginning.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• At last! The Point, Block, and Text tools may be now among Custom Tools. Besides, there may be up to 3 Custom tools' bars now!
  
  It seems insignificant, but try to work at a project comprising more than FIFTY layers! It will not be long before you realize that about one third of your working time is devoted to selection of required layers in the project layer list. One hour more, and you are ready to break your PC ...
  
  So, group in the three bars MAIN custom tools for creation of linear and point objects, but do not fall into extreme - you needn't ALL layers in the panels!.
  
  Note that every tool has its own settings.
  
• An improvement that gives second wind to the autoclosing mode. It is enough now to click inside a space bordered with polylines (roads, rivers, polygon boundaries, etc.) to form a polygon out of it. You needn't any more select a line of its future boundary and copy two points - just click inside. This is true for Curvilinear, Broken, Orthogonal, and Dotwise Tracers
  
  
• Control over project view modes is improved.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  First of all, concurrent screen output of black-and-white and color images is alternated. Previously, OR operation was used at overlapping of black-and-white images on color ones, which gave their unnatural presentation. Now, the following options of black-and-white image output are available:
  
  • invisible - the images are quite "transparent", only tracing tools "see" them;
  • visible - black-and-white images overlay color ones without distortion of their color;
  • OR mode, as previously. It may be useful for comparison of black-and-white images.
  
  
  To select the last mode, click the Combine colors at overlapping of black-and-white images option in the Service -> System settings -> Others page. This option substituted the "Forbid transparent presentation of black-and-white rasters" one .
  
  
• A view mode is added, which switches the text off. Automatic generation of inscriptions is extremely effective for control of completeness and accuracy of attribute data input, but numerous inscriptions may hamper tracing and check of tracing quality. The mode simplifies search of objects skipped at tracing and solution of geometrical problems.
  
• Control of attribute-based inscription generation is improved:
  
  • the "Alignment of generated text" parameter is added. Its possible values are LEFT and CENTER, independently for every template;
  • the "Text height" parameter is now independent.
  • slope angle also may be different in different templates. I.e., street name may be written along the line, but inscription in a polygon will be horizontal;
  • layer list is organized alphabetically.
    
    
• Development, storage and use of mask filters is completely revised. A new module is added - Repository. It contains strategies, filters, and masks that may be used for quick development of new filters.
  
  Quick analysis of alternations caused in the image by a mask filter is provided - they are shown as blinking pixels.
  
  And a lot of other features! In general, mask filtering became understandable at last, and it is described in the article .
  
  
• Not only mask filters can compare two black-and-white images - a new tool is added just for this purpose.
  
  
• Object Attributes dialog box is essentially alternated.
  The "Parameters" button is added , which allows to specify the following options:
  - open the dialog automatically for every next object at attribute check-up;
  - jump to the next object if OK button is clicked at attribute check-up;
  Besides:
  - Empty line is admissible now when the Auto option is checked (it is equal in rights with other values).
  - If parameters of attribute-based inscription generation are not specified, the "Generate Inscription" button is accessible all the same - the program prompts you to make settings if you click it.
  - Text section in the drop-down list of attribute values was limited to 8 lines, and longer lists demanded scrolling. Now the program calculates text section's size reasoning from size of other sections and specified maximal size of the drop-down list.
  - Point and comma both may separate integer and fractional parts.
  
• The Check Polygon Cover utility is significantly improved - it may now check partly formed covers.;
  
  
• Bookmarks became less actual when Inspector was developed, but nevertheless:
  - a new-added bookmark appears at the bottom of the list and becomes current,
  - the Go to Next (F5) and Go to Previous (Shift+F5) commands restore the current bookmark first if you change scale or position after you have put it;
  - "Delete current bookmark" command is added.
  
  
• The Object Attributes dialog box appears if you "transfer" an object from one layer to another (if the "Acquire attribute input at object creating" option is on for the target layer).
  
  
• A hot key is provided for the Polyline Resize / Shifting tool - J by default. Object capture by the tool is improved. For example, it is enough to click inside a polygon to widen it.
  
  
• Positioning of lengthy objects of the _ERRORS_ layer and "unchecked" objects became better. The object is always on the screen when you jump to it.
  
  
• Hatched Area Tracer ("Bog Tracer") is improved:
  - right click completes polygon forming;
  - the tool is affected by the "Acquire attribute input at object creation" option;
  - the program automatically rounds butt-ends of polygons.
  
  
• The "Display vector information at scrolling" option is deleted as an outdated one. Instead, the "Fill polygons at scrolling" option is added. It is on by default. On the other hand, it may be reasonable to switch it off if you use a high-resolution LCD display but a weak video board.
  
  
• Bug correction. Warning about insufficient resources could appear when loading images about 1 GB large, even if you specified a suitable disk for temporary data location.
  
  
• Bug correction in the Project Attributes dialog box - text in the attributive fields looked double sometimes.
  
  
• Bug correction in the Mark Objects as (Un)verified utility. The program didn't put marks but inverted them if "Selected objects" option was on.
  
  

Object attribute requirements, quite simple yesterday, have become rather complicated today. Our last projects comprised tens of attributive data fields for each of fifty layers. Why so many? Well, just in a case!!!

But the customer is always right, so, what are the ways to get out of the difficulties?

- total revision of all attributes (an extremely laborious task and does not guarantee against errors);
- automatic control of attribute data values and their interrelations (these relations should be known beforehand and an external software is required for attributive table analysis);
- generation of inscriptions according to attribute values with their further comparison with ones in the image.

There are other ways to simplify attribute input and check by they all require thoughtful project preparation ( whereas alternations of the qualifier are often being made just in motion!).

First of all, they comprise careful setting of domains (ranges of possible values) for every attributive field, as well as refusal to fill some fields at all. It does not mean of course that these fields remain empty, by they may be filled automatically as there values depend on values in other fields.

It may be much easier to make a simple software for post-processing - final modification of attributive tables after vectorizing. For example, fields Number of Storeys, Fire Resistance, Material and Dwelling/Non-Dwelling were provided for buildings. Our operators typed values in one field only and a simple program sorted them out by the fields later.

It may be also reasonable to increase number of vector layers and decrise ranges of possible attribute values. Less variants - less mistakes.

In general, orginize your work constructively! Well, let us return to the news...

• Generation of attribute-based inscriptions proved to be very useful at attribute data control. But difficulties arise when the image is overfull with inscriptions. If this is the case, the only convinient way to deal with the numerous generated inscriptions is to place them over corresponding inscriptions in the image. This approach simplifies accuracy controll also as it is difficalt indeed to miss mismatches.
  
  Two options are added to the Generate Inscriptions Utility for inscription positioning:
  
  
• Start editing of generated text - the program starts editing mode jsut after attribute input, and the new-generated inscription is already selected and ready for move;
  
  
• Always place the text horizontally - for layers with areal (polygonal) objects.
  
  
Inscriptions made of gaps only as well as decimal point and following zeros of numbers with empty decimal part are not output any more.


• Unlike automatic check of topology for linear and polygonal objects (after forming of a set of tests of course!) check of attribute values taken directly from the image requires an orderly review of the vectorized map sheet. At that you may move the viewport with the cursor keys but any zooming disturbs the order of review and you only approximally return to the point where it happened.
  
  The Inspection mode is provided now for an orderly and scrupulous inspection of material. Specify the scale and the way of review, and you are sure not to miss any centimeter of the project.
  
  The project field will be divided in a stipulated number of shots with a specified mutual overlapping. The M and N hot keys are provided to jump to the next or previous shot. At that you may "go for a walk " along a lengthy object or zoom in when necessary. Next press of the M key (next shot) returns you to the shot from where you started. Press the key once more to jump to the next shot.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Attribute Domain Setting is simplified - double klick in the cell of the table opens the dialog box for the selected attribute.
  
  
• Output of point heigh marks in the View Z mode is alternated - the points have the color of the layer now rather than the colors corresponding to their Z values. It makes them more noticeable on the screen.
  
  
• Precision of the Medial Line tool is now specified in fractions of raster pixel, as it is much more obvious .
  
  
• Corrected bugs and shortages:
  
  • The bug is corrected, which caused monstrous drawing deceleration for polygons with TRANSPARENT filling and THICK boundary line. A rear but indicative case - the bug was not in the program code but in API Windows. Polygon drawing is now being done in another way...
    
    
  • The program preserves line thickness at import now. Generally speaking, line thickness is useful at digitization only for object classification control. But if you have to alternate the project-prototype "while running", you may want to import some already digitized data back into it. That is the case line thickness import is provided for.
    
    
  • The bug is corrected, which caused line thinning in blocks at import of a block set from another project. Unexpected transparency of blocks filled in the source project was a particularly unpleasant surprise.
    
    
  • The bug is corrected in the Generate Inscriptions by Object Attributes dialog box - the program deleted the " Put inscriptions on the layer of labeled objects " mark if you clicked the Cancel button .
    
    
  • The Blocks dialog box: automatic expanding is provided for the block number column (that cut off three-figure numbers previously).
    
    
  • Compulsory substitution of black color in raster layers for the "default" color at project loading is canceled. The "default" color should be specified explicitly once, when you add the image to the project .
    
    
  • Generation of inscriptions: if no inscription template is specified for a layer and the "generate inscriptions" option is marked in the Object Attributes dialog box the program does not suggest any more to generate the missing template after attribute alternation .
    
    
  • A mean of description correction is provided for linetypes incompatible with ACAD standards .
    
    
  • The Attribute Value Parameters dialog box for point objects: a bug is corrected, which caused rescaling after alternation of screen output parameters for a group of objects .
    
    
  • Hatched area tracer ("Bog Tracer") was damaged in one of previous versions (and when? No information from users!) so that it often formed contours with chaotic protuberances. The tool is completely recast, and polygon merging algorithm is alternated to avoid forming of "sausage garland" instead of a united polygon.
    
    
  • The Medial Line of Polygons tool: the bugs are corrected that could cause program hang or error messages.
    

They say, only most experienced users apply 10 % of possibilities provided for Microsoft Word. The situation is even worse in electronic cartography. There are a lot of CADs and GISes with quite different formats and forms of data storage. New formats appear, e.g., for palm computers with GPS Navigator. In addition, topology model and attributive data standards become tougher almost every day. Trying to be independent, Easy Trace has to consider them all.

Even small alternation in the program concerning topology and attribute data input may cause a great result, 1+1 is THREE in this case. Corresponding sections of HELP are completely rewritten to provide an integrate review of Easy Trace todays abilities in forming, editing and verification of complex topological and attributive data.

Besides, the number of tips in dialog boxes and understandable prompts in the Status Bar is increased. If the user does not understand and thus does not apply an option, one may consider it non-existent at all.


• Help articles about forming of the topological model, thematic displaying, and attribute applying in Easy Trace are completely rewritten. You will find them in the Easy Trace HELP sections "Database. Working with attributes -> Database operations" and "Vectorizing Technologies -> Topology in Easy Trace".
  
  
• Import from ArcGIS is improved. The domains of the CLASS_ID field are being imported now. Although ArcGIS does not regards them as normal domains (they are called "subtypes"), it helps a lot at Easy Trace adjustment to the qualifier applied in the ArcGIS-prototype. You need not "draw" them into tables manually, the program automatically takes the domains for attribute table setting at import from MDB files.
  
  
• Special folders (added SHX-fonts, icons of conventional signs, filling patterns and icons of customer tools) belong to the project now rather than to the program. They are stored in the project folder now and thus you may move it to another working place without any problem.
  
  
• Thematic displaying of lines is improved - the rounding of line thickness is up to 0.1 pixel instead of 0.5.
  
• The Topology Correction utility is enhanced. It now considers not polylines only but also points and insertion points of blocks.
  
  
• Import of the block set from AutoCAD: 3D-polylines of blocks are being imported as usual (planar) lines.
  
  
• Context help is now provided for error marks. Select an error and press F1 to open the HELP page describing this error.
  
  
• Tips are added to dialog boxes of the Generate Inscriptions by Object Attributes and Topology Structure optimization utilities and Tracer setting .
  
  
• The following bugs are corrected:
  
  
  • Error mark generating utilities check if any mark has been generated before they start the editing mode for correction.
    
    
  • Special error marks are provided for missed vertices and vertex duplication in the Topology Check-up utility. Previously, the program generated the "Cross-intersection" and "Vertices-intersection" marks instead .
    
    
  • Coordinate transformation at Import/Export: the program ignores empty lines in the CPT-file now. Previously, it considered such CPT files as ones with wrong format.
    
    
  • Medial Line tool: the bug is corrected, which could cause clipping of rather long "tails".
    
    
  • Generate Inscriptions by Object Attributes dialog box: maximal length of inscriptions is increased up to 100 mm in the hard copy instead of previous 10 mm.
    
    
  • Topology Correction utility: the bug is corrected, which arose when the "Consider polyline ends only" option was on. Previously, the result depended on the order of polylines, i.e. on the order of layers and polylines belonging to each of them .
    
    
  • The Transfer Z to/from Database dialog: the bug is corrected, which caused program termination if there were no fields in the project suitable for Z data storage .

Every year, our customers become more and more particular about attributive data set of vectorized objects. Classification systems get more complicated and attributive records usually comprise several fields. Accordingly, it has become more difficult to control accuracy of objects' attributes. For the convenience of one in charge of the control, attribute inscriptions should coincide with corresponding inscriptions in the image. That's why:


• The Generate Inscriptions by Object Attributes utility is improved:
  
  
  • the unit of text height is mm of paper now;
  • you may put inscriptions to the layers of the objects they relate to;
  • inscription of a unclosed polyline will be generated over its longest segment;
  • defining of the insertion point and direction is improved at inscription generation for closed polylines;
  • if a single object should be labeled (when you close the Object Attributes dialog box), the program tries to place the inscription within the area represented on the screen;
  • for one-line inscriptions generated while in the tracing mode, the Editor will be taken automatically to specify the insertion point and text inclination;
  • if you try to generate inscriptions on a frozen layer, the program prompts you to unfreeze it or to cancel the operation;

• It is needless to open the Object Attributes dialog box in the Unverified Objects' Indication mode at good visualization of attributes. The mark verified/unverified will be deleted automatically if you use the Shift+F/Shift+V combination (instead of usual F/ V hot keys) to navigate to the next/previous unverified object.

• Relief vectorizing remains a topical task as well QC of the operation results. The Break Search utility is added to check smoothness of resulting vector lines. Accordingly, a new error mark is provided - "Polyline break".

• The Convert Blocks to Points utility is added. The blocks selected with the Editor or belonging to the selected layer become points. If the target layer where the points will be generated is linked with an attribute table, block names and inclination angles may be saved to it as attributes.
  
  The utility may be useful at transfer from a collection of ACAD drawings to a full value GIS. For example, at pipeline management.

• The Topology Check-Up utility considers point objects (points and blocks) at last. The errors mean the following for these objects:
  
  
  • «Dangling node» marks a point object that does not coincide with any vertex or node of any polyline. On the other hand, a polyline end coincident with a point object does not form a dangling node ;
  • «Vertex» marks a point object that coincides with a vertex, but not a node of any polyline;
  • «Pseudo node» indicates doubling of point objects of the same layer. The At Attribute Coincidence option is ignored.

• Output of Project Information is modified to simplify automatic calculation of operator labour cost:
  
  
  • regional settings are no more in use at output of information on length of polylines belonging to a layer and number of vertices per length unite (to avoid gaps between digits, which were difficult to deal with);
  • data on length of polylines and number of point objects is now represented in the first two columns of the report.
  
  It is simple to make an EXCEL table for calculation of standard time at map sheet vectorizing basing on the average time required for input of a point object and 1 km of vector line belonging to a certain layer. Thus, payment by results can be easily introduced for operators.

• The tool of contour enlarging/contraction is useful if you want to input only centerline of a road represented by a double line. It can now draw "parallel curves" for unclosed polylines. It means that you vectorize one roadside and then shift the curve to location of the centerline missing in the image.

• A similar task - centerline drawing - but for elongated polygons - can be solved by the Polygon Centerline tool. A typical example of the tool applying is forming of a river net for scaled-drawn rivers.

• The Check Polygon Cover utility is improved. It became faster and check of some rear ambiguous cases is added.

• Editing of non-empty attributive data table's structure has become available at last!
  
  Previously, we often faced the situation when the customer asked to add several forgotten fields to the datatable when a pilot project was half-ready...
  
  Records remain mostly unchanged at table editing. "Mostly" means that data will be surely lost if you delete the field it is written in, and long records will be shorten if you make corresponding fields shorter. You will be warned anyway...
  It should be noted that manipulations over the table don't influence settings of thematic displaying.
  
  The following operations are available:
  
  • change of the fields' order;
  • field adding and deletion;
  • adding of the specialized fields _X_CPT_ and _Y_CPT_ designed for coordinates of reference points in the target system (to be used for transformation of vector objects' coordinates at Import or Export);
  • copying of table structure not from a DBF-file only, but also from a table linked to another layer of the current project;
  • editing of field names and formats in the table directly, without opening of a special dialog box.

• The hot key for thematic displaying on/off is changed - it is Alt+D now;

• First and end points of a polyline in the Polyline Vertices mode are now marked with filled squares similar to the Polyline Ends mode.

• Two view modes are added for the Binarize and Create Color Set tools:
  initial image is displayed at Shift pressing,
  pixels included in the current mask only are displayed at Ctrl pressing;


As it has been already mentioned above, a great "mistake correction work" was done in ET v. 8.2 due to applying of a new compiler and some slackness of the vectorizing market after the New Year.


• Bug correction: the Topology Correction utility distorted polyline form badly due to "swinging" of high-order filters (trimming of filter accuracy and length are changed as well as estimation of preliminary smoothing);

• Bug correction: after Undo applying in the Subject Layer Extraction tool, alternated RGB values of the selected pixel remained in the Parameters Bar of the dialog box.

• Bug correction: the Z Check utility (in the "Check-up contours crossed by rivers" mode) marked a false error on the last (with stream) crossed isoline.

• Bug correction: polygons with holes could be damaged at export sometimes (if the "remove bridges" option was on).

• Bug correction: coordinates were shown wrongly in the Control Points dialog box at Export/Import with coordinate transformation using control points from a layer, although it didn't influence the operation itself;

• Bug correction: the Topology Check-up and Topology Correction utilities stopped when number of vertices in a polyline exceeded 8190. The program now does not alternate such lines but copies them to the layer of errors and generates a corresponding message with the operation completed.

• Bug correction: line form optimization didn't occur at tracing of a self-crossing line;

• Bug correction: point import from a CSV file was impossible unless all 4 values (point type, X, Y, Z) were specified;

• Bug correction: the program didn't cut out "holes" from polygons at import from MDB/MXD;

• Bug correction: import of "holed" polygons and check-up of coordinate correctness for points and polylines vertices are provided for data import from MAP (GIS Panorama);

• Bug correction: abnormal termination of the program occurred if you specified an object different from polyline with the Shears tool in the "existing polygon" mode (at Control pressed);