Digitizing (Editing) of GIS Map Layers
Digitizing in GIS is the process of converting geographic data either from a hardcopy or a
scanned image into vector data by tracing the features. During the digitizing process,
features from the traced map or image are captured as coordinates in either point, line, or
polygon format. Or, to encode map features as x, y coordinates in digital form.
Digitizing is the process of interpreting and converting paper map or image data to vector
digital data. Or, DIGITISING is the conversion of an analogue map into a digital format.
Types of Digitizing in GIS
There are several types of digitizing methods. Manual digitizing involves tracing
geographic features from an external digitizing tablet using a puck (a type of mouse
specialized for tracing and capturing geographic features from the tablet). Heads up
digitizing (also referred to as on-screen digitizing) is the method of tracing geographic
features from another dataset (usually an aerial, satellite image, or scanned image of a
map) directly on the computer
screen. Automated digitizing
involves using image processing
software that contains pattern
recognition technology to generated
vectors.
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Types of Digitizing Errors in GIS
Since most common methods of digitizing involve the interpretation of geographic
features via the human hand, there are several types of errors that can occur during the
course of capturing the data. The type of error that occurs when the feature is not
captured properly is called a positional error, as opposed to attribute errors where
information about the feature capture is inaccurate or false. These positional error types
are outlined below, and a visualization of the different methods is shown at the bottom of
this section.
N.B: During the digitizing process, vectors are connected to other lines by a node, which
marks the point of intersection. Vertices are defining points along the shape of an
unbroken line. All lines have a starting point known as a starting node and an ending
node. If the line is not a straight line, then any bends and curves on that line are defined
by vertices (vertex for a singular bend). Any intersection of two lines is denoted by node
at the point of the intersection.
Dangles or Dangling Nodes
Dangles or dangling nodes are lines that are not connected but should be. With dangling
nodes, gaps occur in the linework where the two lines should be connected. Dangling
nodes also occur when a digitized polygon doesn‟t connect back to itself, leaving a gap
where the two end nodes should have connected, creating what is called an open polygon.
An open polygon caused by the endpoints not snapping
together.
Switchbacks, Knots, and Loops
These types of errors are introduced when the digitizer has an unsteady hand and moves
the cursor or puck in such a way that the line being digitized ends up with extra vertices
and/or nodes. In the case of switchbacks, extra vertices are introduced and the line ends
up with a bend in it. With knots and loops, the line folds back onto itself, creating small
polygon like geometry known as weird polygons.
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Example of a weird polygon where the line folds
back on itself.
Overshoots and Undershoots
Similar to dangles, overshoots and undershoots happen when the line digitized doesn‟t
connect properly with the neighboring line it should intersect with. During digitization a
snap tolerance is set by the digitizer. The snap tolerance or snap distance is the
measurement of the diameter extending from the point of the cursor. Any nodes of
neighboring lines that fall within the circle of the snap tolerance will result in the end
points of the line being digitized automatically snapping to the nearest
node. Undershoots and overshoots occur when the snap distance is either not set or is set
too low for the scale being digitized. Conversely, if the snap distance is set too high and
the line endpoint snaps to the wrong node. In a few cases, undershoots and overshoots
are not actually errors. One instance would be the presence of cul-de-sacs (i.e. dead ends)
within a road GIS database.
The circle represents the area of the snap
tolerance. The line being digitized will
automatically snap to the nearest nodes
within the snap tolerance area.
Slivers
Slivers are gaps in a digitized polygon layer where the adjoining polygons have gaps
between them. Again, setting the proper parameters for snap tolerance is critical for
ensuring that the edges of adjoining polygons snap together to eliminate those
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gaps. Where the two adjacent polygons overlap in error, the area where the two polygons
overlap is called a sliver.
Gap and Sliver Errors in Digitized
Polygons
Summary Visualization of the Main Types of Digitizing Errors
Types of Digitizing Errors in GI
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Quick Guide: Digitizing (Editing) GIS Map Layers
NOTE: If you want to create a new layer from scratch to digitize into, you will need
to first create a blank (empty) layer in ArcCatalog.
a. Open ArcCatalog
b. Browse to the folder where you will want the new layer to reside
c. Right-click in the white space in the right side of ArcCatalog
d. Select New… Shapefile (or Geodatabase, your preference)
e. In the dialog box that appears, name you new file and select Feature Type of point,
polyline, polygon, multipoint, or multipatch, depending on what type of features you
want to draw
f. select a coordinate system (if desired) and click OK
g. You can now drag and drop this newly created layer into ArcMap for digitizing.
Open ArcMap and add the layer to be digitized and any necessary background layers
1. Open ArcMap with a new or existing map document (.mxd)
2. Add the layer to be digitized (whether creating new features or editing existing features)
3. Add whatever background layers you need for reference to do your digitizing.
4. If you are digitizing from an image (raster layer), add it
5. Click the View menu, Toolbars, and Editor Toolbar
6. On the Editor Toolbar, click Editor, Start Editing
7. You will be asked which folder you want to start editing in. This should be the folder
that contains the layer you want to digitize into.
8. Click OK
9. In the Editor Toolbar, make sure that the Target (drop down list) is set to the layer you
want digitize.
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NOTE: You can always “Stop Editing” by going to Editor, Stop Editing. You will be
asked whether you want to save your edits ornot. Thus you may elect not to save edits,
and your layer will only reflect changes you made up to the point where you last saved
your edits.
If modifying existing features:
1. Click the “Edit Sketch Tool” icon(looks like a black triangle on the Editor Toolbar)
2. In the map double-clickthe feature that you want to edit. You should see the feature
become highlighted with little squares where the vertices are.
3. If you hover over a vertex, you will notice the cursor changes and you can click and
drag the vertex to move it.
4. You can also insert a new vertex anywhere along a line or edge of an area (polygon)
by right-clicking and choosing Insert Vertex.
5. You can delete a vertex by right-clicking on it and selecting Delete Vertex.
NOTE: After you have created or modified a feature and are happy with your result,
click on the Editor Toolbar, and SAVE EDITS. Do this OFTEN while editing.
If drawing new features:
1. Click on the Pencil Toolin the Editor Toolbar
2. You will now begin drawing the trails by clicking on the map.
3. Left-click to add points. While editing, you can use “CTRL Z” on the keyboard to
undo your last added point, or use it several times to undo several points. An entire
segment can be undone by using the Editor Tool (black arrow) on the editor toolbar to
select a segment, then press the “Delete” key.
Remember: After every few good moves you make, go ahead and save your work to the
layer by clicking Editor on the Editor Tool bar and then clicking Save Edits. This way if
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you make a mistake after, you can always stop editing without saving your recent edits,
but everything you‟ve done before you „saved edits‟ will still be saved.
Adding attributes to a feature you just created
10. Now, to add the attributes for the segment you just created, click the Attribute Button
on the Editor Toolbar. It‟s the next-to-the-last one on the right that looks like an icon for
a table. (See image below).
11. A dialog box should pop up. Click in the value column to the right and enter the
appropriate information for each row.