Digitizing in GIS is the process of converting geographic data either from a
hardcopy or a scanned image into vector data by tracing the features. During
the digitzing process, features from the traced map or image are captured as
coordinates in either point, line, or polygon format.
Types of Digitizing in GIS
There are several types of digitizing methods. Manual digitizing involves
tracing geographic features from an external digitizing tablet using a puck (a
type of mouse specialized for tracing and capturing geographic features from
the tablet). Heads up digitizing (also referred to as on-screen digitizing) is the
method of tracing geographic features from another dataset (usually an aerial,
satellite image, or scanned image of a map) directly on the computer screen.
Automated digitizing involves using image processing software that contains
pattern recognition technology to generated vectors.
Types of Digitizing Errors in GIS
Since most common methods of digitizing involve the interpretation of
geographic features via the human hand, there are several types of errors that
can occur during the course of capturing the data. The type of error that
occurs when the feature is not captured properly is called a positional error, as
opposed to attribute errors where information about the feature capture is
inaccurate or false. These positional error types are outlined below, and a
visualization of the different methods is shown at the bottom of this section.
During the digitizing process, vectors are connected to other lines by a node,
which marks the point of intersection. Vertices are defining points along the
shape of an unbroken line. All lines have a starting point known as a starting
node and an ending node. If the line is not a straight line, then any bends and
curves on that line are defined by vertices (vertex for a singular bend). Any
intersection of two lines is denoted by node at the point of the intersection.
Dangles or Dangling Nodes
Dangles or dangling nodes are lines that are not connected but should be.
With dangling nodes, gaps occur in the linework where the two lines should be
connected. Dangling nodes also occur when a digitized polygon doesn’t
connect back to itself, leaving a gap where the two end nodes should have
connected, creating what is called an open polygon.
An open polygon caused by the endpoints not snapping together.
Switchbacks, Knots, and Loops
These types of errors are introduced when the digitizer has an unsteady hand
and moves the cursor or puck in such a way that the line being digitized ends
up with extra vertices and/or nodes. In the case of switchbacks, extra vertices
are introduced and the line ends up with a bend in it. With knots and loops,
the line folds back onto itself, creating small polygon like geometry known
as weird polygons.
Example of a weird polygon where the line folds back on
itself.
Overshoots and Undershoots
Similar to dangles, overshoots and undershoots happen when the line
digitized doesn’t connect properly with the neighboring line it should intersect
with. During digitization a snap tolerance is set by the digitizer.The snap
tolerance or snap distance is the measurement of the diameter extending from
the point of the cursor. Any nodes of neighboring lines that fall within the
circle of the snap tolerance will result in the end points of the line being
digitized automatically snapping to the nearest node. Undershoots and
overshoots occur when the snap distance is either not set or is set too low for
the scale being digitized. Conversely, if the snap distance is set too high and
the line endpoint snaps to the wrong node. In a few cases, undershoots and
overshoots are not actually errors. One instance would be the presence of
cul-de-sacs (i.e. dead ends) within a road GIS database.
The circle represents the area of the snap
tolerance. The line being digitized will automatically snap to the nearest nodes within the snap
tolerance area.
Slivers
Slivers are gaps in a digitized polygon layer where the adjoining polygons
have gaps between them. Again,
setting the proper parameters for snap tolerance is critical for ensuring that
the edges of adjoining polygons snap together to eliminate those gaps.
Where the two adjacent polygons overlap in error, the area where the two
polygons overlap is called a sliver.
Gap and Sliver Errors in
Digitized Polygons
Summary Visualization of the Main Types of
Digitizing Errors
Going through the error inspector report, you can right-click
individual errors for quick fixes. Here are the types of topology
fixes you can perform:
MERGING: The overlapping portion will be subtracted from one
polygon and added to the other polygon.
SUBTRACT: The overlapping portion will be removed
completely from both polygons.
CREATE FEATURE: The overlapping portion will be removed
completely from both polygons and added as an entirely new
feature.
Preventing Errors by Using the
Snapping Environment
Using snapping in GIS can prevent errors from happening
altogether. The snapping environment determines the distance
that newly digitized points, lines, and polygons will occupy the
same location as existing features.
When new features are created in the editor, they will be
automatically snapped to existing features. For example, you
can snap to edges, points, ends, intersections, midpoints, and
tangents.
