Integrated Mapping

Providing the tools to manage the map that works with your applications.

GeoAuthor® - GT and GeoPoints

From International Computer Works, Inc. users can choose the editing tools that best match their organization's needs. ICW delivers the correct measure of ease-of-use and sophistication to leverage investments made in existing GIS data while providing the user with the tools to enhance TIGER/Line® Shape Files maintaining TIGER topology. Optionally, build your own base map using the GeoSpatial Technology (GT) in GeoAuthorGT™. Both alternatives integrate with GeoPoints collectively providing dynamic means for constructing and maintaining GIS databases with features used to leverage staff resources and ensure the integrity of data used in other applications.

GeoAuthor® is designed to provide the user with an easy-to-use set of tools with which to create a project for a county or county equivalent using TIGER/Line Shapefiles provided by the US Bureau of the Census. Once the project is created, GeoAuthor® permits the user to make edits to the geometry and tabular attributes of the map data. This includes aligning TIGER to local geometry (i.e. parcel maps, aerial photos, etc.), add missing features (i.e. streets, water, landmarks, etc.), modifying tabular attributes (i.e. names, address ranges, ZIP Codes, etc.) and use the diagnostic routines in GeoAuthor® or in non-TIGER databases, GeoAuthorGT™ to confirm the integrity of the data. GeoAuthor® and GeoAuthorGT™ also include GeoPoints© which is designed to create and maintain geographic databases of points and tabular attributes.

Intuitive menu driven with context sensitive Help system along with context sensitive Computer Based Training videos narrated including closed caption text and comprehensive User's Guides for GeoAuthor®, GeoAuthorGT™ and GeoPoints.

• Pre-edit error trapping to ensure data integrity.
• Flexible data management of complex street names.
• Auto distribution of addresses using either proportionate or unit length with manual override.
• Clear methodology for maintaining topologically stored data for best data editing practices.

Symbology for objects in linear networks and point data are user defined based upon classification codes and edit status. Tabular attributes and unit length distribution of addresses can be user defined.

• Global line style, weight and color have default values which can be modified to user preferences.
• Default pop down pick lists for secondary unit designators can be edited maintaining USPS compliance.
• The preset 1,000 addresses per mile or another length can be set by the user.
• List of classification codes can be expanded to add new feature classes.

Both the linear network and point data can be easily updated and expanded using GIS data created by external agencies. Conflation tools are the silver tuner for making updates and additions easily and accurately.

• Translate external center street line and point data maps to native format.
• Programmatically convert translated GIS data base to GeoAuthor® or GT data structures.
• Use the prepared data sets to add segments or points as new updates.
• Use a Trace function to conform existing lines to new geometry updating tabular attributes simultaneously.

There are two ways to store data in a GIS system, topologically or as objects. Edit an object database and immediately perform analysis. Edit a topologically stored database and you likely have to run a process against the database before you can perform spatial analysis. Topologically stored data has several benefits. GeoAuthor® uses both topology and objects.

• The data created with a topologically stored data base provides better control and greater data integrity because topology necessitates connectivity of lines.
• Topology is necessary to create accurate polygons from closed areas in the linear network.
• In order to route across a linear network, the connectivity of features as seen with topology must exist.
• Making an edit to the geometry of a single line can simultaneously modify multiple regions for which the line represent a boundaries which massively keeps datasets synchronized.