[OpenLayers-Users] GIS Data Access to Maps

[Alex Mandel]

On 08/12/2013 09:54 AM, Owen Densmore wrote:
> Does OpenLayers allow access to the geo data (raster/vector) it displays?
> 
> If so, can the data be in formats other than the raw initial map layer?
> 
> It would be great if the geo data were accessible in a JavaScript format
> like an array for raster and/or geojson for vector/properties.
> 
>    -- Owen
> 

Owen that depends on the source for the data. OpenLayers is merely a
client tool to view data from other sources.

Example, WMS can be downloaded in any number of image formats, WFS, as
vector in geojson, kml, gml, etc...

If the data is loaded as a raster the browser has access to it as an
image file, if its a vector format then you should have access to the
raw format coming in. With that you can add additional tools to convert
in other ways. Generally though if you want to get data from a single
point you use a GetFeatureInfo(this can be requested in json format)
request on the point and if you want some analysis you usually send a
request to a server to do the analysis and return the results back to
the browser.

Thanks,
Alex