[postgis-users] Flow Diagram Graphics

[Andreas Neumann]

do you have an example on what it looks like?

What data-types do you use? Polygons and connecting lines? Text, Point 
objects?

I still think that using SVG as output generated by a small script (PHP, 
Perl, Python, etc.) should be a good solution.

The AsSVG() command in Postgis doesn't create complete SVG files. It 
just converts the geometry to SVG geometry (parts of SVG elements). 
You'd have to create the file header, the structure and the styling of 
the elements yourself.

Here are a few SVG related tutorials that might help you:

http://www.carto.net/papers/svg/samples/

specifically:
http://www.carto.net/papers/svg/samples/serverside_svg_php.shtml
http://www.carto.net/papers/svg/network_requests/index.shtml
http://www.carto.net/papers/svg/postgis_geturl_xmlhttprequest/

Hope this helps,
Andreas

Bob Pawley wrote:
> Actually it's an engineering drawing that is known as a Process and 
> Instrument Diagram - a little more complex than a normal flow diagram, 
> it shows processes, piping to and from the processes and the devices 
> that are required to control the process.
> 
> I have it to the point of being able to add up to four process graphics 
> and identify the input and outputs that are needed. I'm using standard 
> Postgis functions to move and position each graphic. The graphics are 
> driven by a PostgreSQL database.
> 
> It seems to be quite doable using Postgis functions, however the graphic 
> display is the problem at the moment.
> 
> Bob
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Andreas Neumann" <a.neumann at carto.net>
> To: "PostGIS Users Discussion" <postgis-users at postgis.refractions.net>
> Sent: Thursday, August 21, 2008 10:03 AM
> Subject: Re: [postgis-users] Flow Diagram Graphics
> 
> 
>> Hi Bob,
>>
>> Do you mean flowcharts in the sense of an org-chart? Rectangles or 
>> other shapes connected with arrows?
>>
>> I am not so sure if this is the strength of GIS software. There are 
>> tons of commercial and OS Software packages out there for flowcharts, 
>> starting with Visio and Inspiration on the commercial side, and 
>> continueing with dia, graphviz, kivio and others on the OS side. Most 
>> of these packages support SVG export - some of them are also 
>> scriptable - means usable on a webserver.
>>
>> I agree that SVG makes a lot of sense for presenting flow-charts.
>>
>> Do you need to generate those flowcharts automatically - db-driven?
>>
>> What specific GIS feature are you intending to use for the flowchart 
>> generation?
>>
>> Andreas
>>
>>
>>
>> Bob Pawley wrote:
>>> As some of you may know, I am working with Postgis to create a flow 
>>> diagram. So far, considering the challenges and my learning ability, 
>>> I have been making good progress.
>>>
>>> I have been using QuantumGIS as a graphical tool. However I now think 
>>> it is time to seek a graphic display that is more suitable for my 
>>> purpose.
>>>
>>> Ideally, I would want the display area to be full screen, limited pan 
>>> and zoom and be able to lock the needed Postgis table(s) to the display.
>>>
>>> I have looked at developing SVG for this purpose, but it looks rather 
>>> intimidating for my level of competance.
>>>
>>> Would anyone have an idea for a solution that they may wish to share??
>>>
>>> Bob
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> postgis-users mailing list
>>> postgis-users at postgis.refractions.net
>>> http://postgis.refractions.net/mailman/listinfo/postgis-users
>>
>> -- 
>>
>> -- 
>> Andreas Neumann
>> Böschacherstrasse 6
>> CH-8624 Grüt (Gossau ZH)
>> Switzerland
>> Phone: ++41-44-2736668
>> Email: a.neumann at carto.net
>>
>> Web: http://www.carto.net/neumann/
>> SVG Examples: http://www.carto.net/papers/svg/samples/
>> SVG.Open: http://www.svgopen.org/
>> _______________________________________________
>> postgis-users mailing list
>> postgis-users at postgis.refractions.net
>> http://postgis.refractions.net/mailman/listinfo/postgis-users 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> postgis-users mailing list
> postgis-users at postgis.refractions.net
> http://postgis.refractions.net/mailman/listinfo/postgis-users

-- 

--
Andreas Neumann
Böschacherstrasse 6
CH-8624 Grüt (Gossau ZH)
Switzerland
Phone: ++41-44-2736668
Email: a.neumann at carto.net

Web: http://www.carto.net/neumann/
SVG Examples: http://www.carto.net/papers/svg/samples/
SVG.Open: http://www.svgopen.org/