Digitalisation
Geodan has been digitalising and converting maps for different clients for more than 15 years now. This often means that paper maps are converted into digital map layers for subsequent use in a Geographical Information System (GIS).
Geodan can offer you the following services:
- Scan paper maps, the result of which is raster maps or bitmaps.
- Georeference and maybe reproject raster maps.
- Optimise raster maps for web access.
- Convert raster maps into vector maps.
- Convert and reproject vector maps.
- Convert vector maps into raster maps.
Scan paper to raster maps
The first step to digitalise analogue material consists in scanning the paper source material. The result is a bitmap or a raster map in black and white, grey scale or full colour. During the scanning process, the selected resolution will be such that even the smallest details that must remain legible will indeed be legible.
Georeference and maybe reproject raster maps
For being able to open a raster map in a GIS, the map must be georeferenced. In this sense, the map on the raster must be in a geometrically correct and known projection. If this is not the case, the raster can be moulded until it fits. Optimise raster maps for web access The raster maps might grow considerably. Hence, reading the map may be a very-time consuming process. Therefore, there are formats that aim at enhancing the reading speed of both a small piece of the map and the complete map at screen resolution.
Convert raster maps into vector maps
A georeferenced raster map is not composed of geographical objects. For converting elements on a map into geographical objects, they must be digitalised. The elements are thereto saved as vectors. It is possible to add codes to every object. Convert and reproject vector maps Every technology has its own format to save digital maps and not every technology can handle all projections. Sometimes, this hampers the exchange of map material between different technologies. Geodan has the required expertise and tools to solve this for you.
Convert vector maps into raster format
Sometimes, vector maps need to be converted into raster maps. In a GIS, it is possible to develop the vector maps, but sometimes the possibilities are too limited or they require too much calculating power. In this case, one of the possible solutions is to convert the maps into raster maps.
