[OSGeo-Discuss] Whitebox Geospatial Analysis Tools 3.0 'Iguazu'

Tue Jun 4 12:31:27 PDT 2013

Hello, 

I am pleased to announce the release of Whitebox Geospatial Analysis Tools 3.0 'Iguazu'. This latest release is a major milestone for the Whitebox project and includes many improvements. To download the software, please visit the Whitebox project web site at:

Whitebox GAT Web: http://www.uoguelph.ca/~hydrogeo/Whitebox/index.html

Release Notes:

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Whitebox is a Geographical Information System (GIS) and remote sensing software package for advanced analysis and visualization of geospatial data.

RELEASE NOTES:

Version 3.0 - Iguazu

This version is codenamed Iguazu, after Iguazu Falls located at Foz do Iguaçu, on the border of Brazil and Argentina. Iguazu Falls is a spectacular landform. I have decided to code-name each subsequent release of Whitebox after interesting places that I have traveled to as a result of the Whitebox project. This naming convention is in-line with the geographical nature of the software.

Whitebox 3.0 has seen numerous changes and improvements since the last public release (v. 2.1). These are too numerous to list, but the major areas of change are related to the way that geographic data are displayed and the way that map elements (e.g. north arrows, legends, scales, titles, etc.) are handled. In previous versions of the software, there could only be one map area and it took up the entire view area. Whitebox now uses a page-view approach where the map
area is just one of many possible cartographic elements, which include things like map areas (more than one can be displayed on a map, e.g. if you want an inset map), titles, north arrows, scales, legends, neatlines, text areas, and images. Data layers, including raster and vector files, are displayed within MapArea cartographic elements. IMPORTANTLY, THIS CHANGE MEANS THAT WHITEBOX MAP FILES ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH OLDER VERSIONS. Whitebox 3.0 will not open *.wmap files from previous versions. This, in addition to the large number of additions, is the reason for the new major version number increment. Cartographic elements can be treated in much the same way as objects are treated in a typical drawing package. For example, you can select elements, align and distribute elements, and group elements. The properties of elements can be
readily modified by right-clicking over them in the data view area. The tools for navigating through the map (i.e. the page) and the map area (i.e. the data layers) has been greatly simplified.

Version 3.0 comes with the addition of many new tools for spatial analysis, many of which are the result of improved support for vector data in Whitebox. In addition, Whitebox now has more advanced abilities to view and edit shapefile database files (.dbf). The vector selection feature is now operational, allowing for the ability to query a shapefile's attributes simply by selecting the feature in the map area. Shapefiles may also be created through basic on-screen
digitizing functionality.

Whitebox now requires Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 7.0, meaning that you will need to update to the most recent JRE version before you run Whitebox. If you double-click the Whitebox JAR file and nothing happens, it is likely because you haven't yet made this update. Visit the Oracle website for instructions on how to update Java.

Innumerable bug fixes have been included, along with substantial code refactoring. These are too numerous to list individually.

RECOMMENDED COMPUTING REQUIREMENTS

Whitebox will run on any computer running the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 7.0 or higher, including computers running MS Windows, MacOS, and Linux operating systems. It is recommended that computers have at least 4 GB of memory (RAM). A solid state drive (SSD) is recommended for those working on massive data files, as it greatly increased performance.

REPORTING BUGS AND USER FEEDBACK

Any bugs or other software issues can be reported on the Whitebox issue tracker:

http://code.google.com/p/whitebox-geospatial-analysis-tools/issues/list

Any feedback from your user experience can be directed to Dr. John Lindsay
(jlindsay at uoguelph.ca).

John Lindsay, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Department of Geography, University of Guelph
Guelph, Ont. N1G 2W1   CANADA
Phone: (519) 824-4120 x56074
Fax: (519) 837-2940
Email:  jlindsay at uoguelph.ca
Department Web: http://www.uoguelph.ca/geography/people/faculty/lindsay.shtml
Whitebox GAT Web: http://www.uoguelph.ca/~hydrogeo/Whitebox/index.html