Easy Trace: Advanced software for Automatic Raster to Vector Conversion

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).

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:

Scanning and raster data input.
Raster processing (preparation).
Raster to vector conversion.
Editing, joining, and verification of vector data.
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 is useful for quick preparation of an operational report based on several rasters of different scales.

2. Raster processing (preparation)

Geometrical correction and filtering.
Positioning.
Merging of raster fragments.
Color separation and forming of a set of thematic layers (for color rasters).
Raster editing.
Preparation for printing (Pasterization).

3. Raster to vector conversion(digitalization)

Tracing modes: automatic, semiautomatic (self-teaching), manual, orthogonalizing, linearizing, contouring of filled and hatched areas.
Optional input of attributive data at tracing.
Multi-criteria quality control and entity editing.
Actually unlimited number of vector layers as well as objects per layer.
Semiautomatic input of height values (Z-coordinate).
Accelerators for input of standard attribute data values.
Possibility to create custom tools on the base of standard tracers.
Support of the chain-and-node and polygonal structure.
Interactive or automatic forming of vertices and nodes at line intercrossing in accordance with the table of relations.
Snapping mode "the next point/vertex", line part copying, automatic line closing.
Automatic verification of the output data on the base of a test set being stored in the project.

You may use Easy Trace to prepare a topologic base.

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.

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.