[Mapserver-dev] Advanced support of grid format (visualization, interrogation, analysis)

[Thomas E Burk]

Claude,

We have added some of this capability several years ago. An example is at: 
http://terrasip.gis.umn.edu/projects/egis/avhrr/ . A handful of people, beyond us, 
used it.

That was before GDAL became an integral part of MapServer so we need to bring that 
effort up-to-date accordingly and, hopefully too, make it part of the MapServer 
distribution.

I don't monitor the dev list regularly so if you have ideas on how to get such an 
effort funded, please let me know. That's basically what we've been looking for.

Tom

PS - The app is old and there seems to be some issues with it. Choose the AVHRR BIP 
(1C) image and the Image Analysis should work enough that you'll get the idea.


>From: Claude Philipona <claude-mapserver at skirando.ch>
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>Date: Thu, 2 Oct 2003 22:30:48 +0200
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>Hello,
>
>What is exactly the state of grid format handling in Mapserver? Present and
>near feature. We have some people asking for some "advanced" features, with
>fundings available. I don't know if somme of the needs are alreday
>available or planned...
>
>Here is a first rough description of their needs:
>
>For GIS application, there are several models for representing the real
>world (object based, field based) : simple vector, topological vector,
>TIN, raster,...  Each of these models have advantages and drawbacks and
>are more suited for particular problems (topological vector for
>utilities management, raster for DTM analysis, etc.).  Raster format is
>often used for background data (orthos, satellite,...) but can also be
>used for all kind of continous data (visualisation, interrogation,
>analysis for : DTMs, slope, orientation, convexity, radiation data,
>pollution, income,...) and discrete data (soil occupation,...)
>
>All web mapping solutions include the support of simple vector
>(visualisation, interrogation) and raster (visualisation) ? but few (or
>none) include the complete support for raster data (interrogation,
>analysis).  In desktop or professional GIS, these functions are included or
>in extensions (Spatial Analyst for Arcview, Vertical Mapper for MapInfo,
>etc.). The objective would be to extend Mapserver to support simple
>analysis function for raster (or grid) data (interrogation first,
>analysis). Mapserver uses GDAL lib that supports some grid formats
>(Arc/Info Binary Grid (.adf), Arc/Info ASCII Grid, Military Elevation Data
>(.dt0, .dt1), GRASS Rasters, USGS ASCII DEM (.dem), ?).
>The objective of the developpement would be to add to Mapserver
>the possibility to support visualisation, interrogation (and eventually
>simple analysis) for continuous data. The objective would not be to
>develop complex analysis functions available in desktop or professionnal
>GIS (at first) but to add some basic functions to present the results of
>these analysis. 
>Mapserver could return the pixel value for gridded data (elevation, slope,
>pollution concentration, average income,..). Simple function allowing to
>get information for a gridded format (height in the example below). We
>could use this function to build a more sophisticated function like a cross
>section.
>
>This  developpement could be funded by several Mapserver users. It could
>give Mapserver an interesting competitive advantage.
>
>These developpements should be done conforming to OGC and ISO standards
>: there are many initiatives addressing portions of the overall scope of
>this Topic Volume. Important among them is the ISO TC/211 initiative to
>add a work item to address raster and image data types. OGC and ISO
>TC/211 intend to work closely to achieve common specifications.
>
>
>Would you have interest in adding such features in Mapserver?
>
>Claude
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