GIS Modeling in Raster
I just finished up a class using the book: GIS Modeling in Raster by Michael N. DeMers. At first I was a bit overwhelm with the content of the book, but it all soon fell into place. This book has been out for several years now, but it is one of the best available on the subject of rasters (some see this as both a positive and negative).
The book begins by covering the various features that can be represented with rasters. I found it interesting that the square grid is not the only type of grid, but triangle, parallelogram, and hexagon could also be used. Types of rasters discussed included the simple raster, extended raster, quadtrees, and cellular automata.
A key element to rasters is map algebra. This topic covers conceptualizing zero through two-dimensional space with grid cells and conceptualizing three-dimensional space with grid cells. The map algebra chapter provides a very good introduction to manipulations. A variety of operators and functions are covered. For a more detailed section on functional operations, chapter 4 covers trigonometric, exponential and logarithmic, reclassification, selection, and statistical.
Chapter 5, 6, and 7 covers the whole modeling gamut. Chapter 5 starts it off with how to think spatially. Identifying patters within the data is covered. Learning how to use tools such as landscape, literature survey, maps, aerial photography, and statistical techniques to identify these patterns. Within modeling essentials, types of GIS models are discussed. The models include those based on purpose, methodology, and logic. With the basics of modeling covered, the flow of the book moves into conceptualizing the model. This begins with defining your goals, adding the spatial dimension, and identifying data elements. With the model conceptualized, chapter 7 shows how to carry out your model.
The book is summed up with techniques for conflict resolution and prescriptive modeling along with verification, validation, and acceptability. The areas covered here include the orpheus land use allocation model, consensus building, hierarchical techniques, statistical techniques, and displaced fuzzy ideal. Additionally, there are sections on model correctness, parsimony, and model acceptance.
Overall, this is an excellent textbook and great reference source. Although I found it a little hard to read in some spots, I was able to benefit and apply many concepts to my daily work flow. Also note that there is downloadable data made available that corresponds to the chapter concepts.
- Chapter 1: Introduction
- Chapter 2: Nature of the Data
- Chapter 3: Map Algebra
- Chapter 4: Characterizing the Functional Operations
- Chapter 5: Modeling Essentials
- Chapter 6: Conceptualizing the Model
- Chapter 7: Model Formulation, Flowcharting, and Implementation
- Chapter 8: Conflict Resolution and Prescriptive Modeling
- Chapter 9: Model Verification, Validation, and Acceptability
Check out this book for yourself: GIS Modeling in Raster
GIS Cartography: A Guide to Effective Map Design
May 11, 2009 by Timothy
Filed under Cartography, GIS Books
There have been many cartography books published over the years that seem to cover the same information with an out of date feel. Like a breath of fresh air, a new cartography book has enter the mix. GIS Cartography: A Guide to Effective Map Design written by Gretchen N. Peterson has been recently made available.
The first thing that stood out to me was the openness and personable presentation of the author in the introduction. As I read through this book I did not see it as a textbook, but I saw it as if I was sitting across the table from Gretchen discussing keys to GIS cartography. She presents each area in a detailed manor as one speaking from experience.
I liked how the book did not focus on a single software package, but provides ideas that could be applied across the board. The examples and topics are presented in a more up to date application. This allows for the incorporation of new media like PowerPoint slides and web maps. Although this book was written with the early career professional in mind, it has a lot of good stuff for everyone no matter the career level.
A few areas that really stood out to me included the challenge of learning to be creative with map design. Observing art and other non map designs help stimulate the creative juices. There is also an excellent detailed layout design checklist. Each element is discussed extensively throughout the chapter. Another helpful area was map fonts. Learning when to use certain fonts, understanding map viewing distance and its correlation to the font size, and understanding the importance of text direction are some of the topics discussed in the font chapter.
Color is also analyzed and starts at the beginning with the color theory as defined by Sir Isaac Newton. The author presents valuable information on these various color models:
- RGB
- Hexadecimal
- HSV
- HSL
- CMYK
- CIELAB
In addition to the color models, the author discusses figure ground, choropleth mapping, color connotation, blending, and readability. One of the largest sections is on cartographic representation of features. This chapter was very useful as it contains an enormous amount of information that includes specific features and the techniques on how to enhance each one. Some of these features includes:
- Roads
- Rivers and Streams
- Cities & Towns
- Political Boundaries
- Elevation / Hillshade
- Wind
- Temperature
- Land Use / Land Cover
- Utilities
- Soils
Beyond the chapter content, the appendix is filled with invaluable resources such as layout sketches, map examples, and color swatches.
The book is a great read from front to back; however, you can pick and choose to read the chapters you want. I highly recommend this book for its reading ease, valuable information, and current applicable techniques.
Check it out: GIS Cartography: A Guide to Effective Map Design
About the Author (from http://petersongis.com):
Gretchen holds a BS in Natural Resources from Cornell University and is a GISP. She is the author of GIS Cartography: A Guide to Effective Map Design. She is a member of the GISCI Application Review Committee.
Gretchen has been conducting GIS analysis and development in the Pacific Northwest for over 9 years. Prior to founding PetersonGIS, Gretchen was a GIS analyst for a private consulting firm where she designed the GIS salmonid refugia model for Kitsap and Jefferson Counties in Washington State. Before moving to Washington State, she conducted research in the field on the Common Tern in Oneida Lake, New York and worked as a GIS data specialist at the New York Water Resources Institute.
Is GIS Really for Dummies?
A new book has just recently been published called GIS For Dummies by Dr. Michael N. DeMers. Dr. DeMers is an associate professor in the Department of Geography at the New Mexico State University. This book helps introduce the Geospatial industry to those who may not be familiar with Geographic Information Systems. If you are not sure what GIS is, then I would suggest that you check it out! It seems to cover a little bit of everything.
For those of you have been in the GIS industry for a while, I question the actual need for this book. I understand that a lot of people think they are GIS professional, but are far from it. They would definitely benefit. I find it interesting that the authors describe its readers with this statement:
Whether you’re in charge of creating GIS applications for your business or you simply love maps, you’ll find GIS For Dummies is packed with information.
Do application developers really compare to map lovers? There is a big gap there. I do not think that one book can really cover adequately this entire spectrum. As a GIS professional, I would think that if there is a particular topic we want to learn then we will find a more specific GIS book.
Although I have yet to read this book, I would be very curious to see what this books holds. As stated on the back of the book, the following can be found within the pages:
- How to get paper maps into your computer
- How to create animated GIS output
- Different ways to measure distance
- How to organize your spatial data
- What raster and vector mean to a cartographer
- How to choose a GIS software vendor
- How GIS can help you determine appropriate land use
- Dozens of applications for GIS queries and analyses
All I can say is that you should form your own opinion. As an individual, you will find your own personal benefits that others will not. You will only get out of this book what you expect. Expect nothing, get nothing.
GIS For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech))
Other Books by Dr. Michael DeMeres
Fundamentals of Geographical Information Systems
Basics of Geographical Information Systems
Getting to Know ArcGIS for 9.3
ESRI has just announced an updated version to one of their best selling books entitled Getting to Know ArcGIS. This information coming out on December 1st through a ESRI Press Release. The enhancement has added about 18 pages and updates the exercise data to be compatible with ArcGIS 9.3.
This book is a great resource for those who are looking to learn the ArcGIS interface. As the press release states:
The workbook introduces GIS concepts and capabilities and describes the features and functionality in ArcView, ArcEditor, and ArcInfo, the core products in the ArcGIS Desktop line. Step-by-step exercises, accompanied by richly detailed illustrations, teach basic GIS tasks such as how to conduct spatial analysis, make maps, and build and edit spatial databases.
However, if you do not have ArcGIS 9.3 then the older version would be fine. Both books contain the same quality information. There is a slight price difference in the books though.
Getting to Know ArcGIS (9.2 and earlier)
Related GIS Pathway Posts
Getting to Know ArcGIS
GIS is a massive topic. You can spend your entire lifetime studying this field and still not know it all. And on top of that, studying can only get you so far. You will begin to learn so much more by taking the initiative to explore hands on above and beyond any textbook.
Even though I feel you can learn more by exploring, I would suggest you take a look at the Getting to Know ArcGIS Desktop book. This book is full of rich information covering GIS in the ArcGIS software environment. The basics of ArcView, ArcEditor, and ArcInfo at version 9 are covered. And it is obvious that this book cannot keep up with technology because later versions have already come out. And although this is true, version 9 basics apply across the board even if you are using 9.3 or later. I cannot stress enough the importance of know these basics since they will be your foundation of any building block you may apply.
Explore it today and build a foundation for your future.
Related Blogs
GIS System Architecture Design
Anyone who spends a bit of time in the GIS industry will find the importance having a solid system foundation. If you or your company is new to GIS, then it would be wise to adequately plan the system infrastructure before investing in a system. But how do you know what to plan for? It can easily be overwhelming and costly if not well educated in this topic.
For help with this topic, Dave Peters with ESRI has put out a new book called Building a GIS: System Architecture Design Strategies for Managers. This book has laid the following areas to help present the facts before any decision is made.
Part I: Understanding the technology
Part II: Understanding the fundamentals
Part III: Putting it all together
Related Information:
Press Release: Directions Media
System Architecture & Design Zen…
http://gisdk.blogspot.com/2008/07/building-gis.html
http://www10.giscafe.com/nbc/articles/view_article.php?articleid=562364
Programming with ArcObjects
November 3, 2008 by Timothy
Filed under GIS Books, GIS Programming
I have been doing some light programming in GIS for about two years now. I had figured out how to download various scripts and VBA code snippets and piece them together to preform various tasks. By doing this, I was beginning to pick up some basic concepts in the Visual Basic for Applications environment.
I recently pick up this book, Getting to Know ArcObjects. It was really helpful. It has helped me to understand VBA a lot more. It covers various applications including customizing ArcDesktop, Creating Forms, Automating Page Layouts, Creating UIControlButtons, Automating Labels and Symbology and so much more. The chapters are layed out with instructive text and then a hands on tutorial.
Once I got this book, I worked through it in 5 days. If you have been wanting to learn more about programming in GIS then this is the book for you. Check it out today!
Getting to Know ArcObjects (With CD-ROM)
Find other book reviews here!
Teaching Kids the World of GIS
Kids are like sponges. They will soak up anything. It is up to us to help provide children with quality material that they will be able to use for a life time. Here are some good websites, books, and games that teach kids about GIS.
Websites
- GIS 4 Kids
- National Geographic Games for Kids
- Maps 4 Kids
- GIS Kids Slideshow
- Kids GIS
- Mapmaker, Mapmaker, Make Me a Map
- KidsGeo
- Geb Geography For Kids
Our World GIS Education Series
A new book series was just released in June 2008 by ESRI Press. This “Our World GIS Education” series helps teachers present GIS to their students.
Putting geography, spatial thinking, and GIS in front of the students early on helps educate each student in an adventurous way that will impact them for a lifetime.
Thinking Spatially Using GIS: Our World GIS Education, Level 1 (Our World GIS Education)
- Basic Tools of GIS / Recognizing Patterns and Analyzing Map Trends
Mapping Our World Using GIS: Our World GIS Education, Level 2 (Our World GIS Education)
- Data Collection, Mapping, and Critical Analysis with GIS
Analyzing Our World Using GIS: Our World GIS Education, Level 3 (Our World GIS Education)
- Inquiry-based learning in geography through GIS
Making Spatial Decisions Using GIS, Level 4 (Our World GIS Education)
- GIS in Problem Solving and Decision Making
Learning GIS with the Kindle
Amazon.com had made it a little easier to access GIS books. The Kindle is a device that allows you to access your books, newspapers, magazines, and blogs at a click of a button. You can carry this 10.3 ounce device anywhere. It works great outside as well as indoors. The screen has been designed to reduce eye strain. The cool thing is that the topics available are endless. The GIS list for the kindle provides some great topics.
One thing I like about the Kindle is the ability to do a search on a certain topic and it will return all downloaded books found with the topic. There is also a dictionary for when you need to look up a certain word from withon the text. This can be a big help when reading GIS topics. Now you can carry the content of all those massive GIS books in one small device.
Here are some of the GIS topics available for the Kindle:
- Open Source GIS: A GRASS GIS Approach
- Programming ArcObjects with VBA: A Task-Oriented Approach
- Pro Oracle Spatial for Oracle Database 11g
- 3-D Structural Geology: A Practical Guide to Surface and Subsurface Map Interpretation
- Spatial Technology and Archaeology
- Web Cartography
Click here for more info on the Kindle.
