An Information Model for Maps:
Towards Cartographic Production from GIS Databases
Aileen Buckley, Ph.D. and Charlie FryeSenior Cartographic Researchers, ESRI
Barbara Buttenfield, Ph.D.Professor, University of Colorado-Boulder
Torrin HultgrenGraduate Student, University of Colorado-Boulder
DLM5m resolution
DLM5m resolution
DLM25m resolution
DLM25m resolution
DCM_250KDCM_250K
DCM_10KDCM_10K
DCM_100KDCM_100K
DCM_50KDCM_50K
Digital LandscapeModel
CartographicAbstraction
Digital CartographicModel
Map / AtlasProducts
DCM_Campus25KDCM_Campus25K
DCM_Topo24KDCM_Topo24K
DCM_10MillionDCM_10MillionDLM1km resolution
DLM1km resolution
10K OS Topo
24K DOQ
24K USGS Topo24K Hillshade
50K Wall Map
100K Recreation Map
250K Road Map
10M World Wall Map
30K Campus
MapProduction
GIS Cartography
DATACOLLECTION CARTOGRAPHY MAP USE
Fundamental information transformations in cartography
Geospatialdata
Geographicalenvironment
Map Map image
CensusGround surveyGPSRemote sensingDigitizing
ReadingAnalysisInterpretation
SelectionGeneralizationSymbolizationLabeling
Transform 2 Transform 3Transform 1
From geographical environment to map…
DATA COLLECTION CARTOGRAPHY
Geospatialdata
Geographicalenvironment
Map
Transform 2Transform 1
Computational
Non-computational
PRODUCTIONPROCESS
Non-digital
Non-digitaldocuments
COMPILATIONPROCESS
GIS
Digital
Digitalfiles
GIS database
Outline of remainder of talk
Cartographic data modeling
Map conceptualization
Proposed information model for maps
Use of the model for cartographic production
Types of Maps
Number of users and uses(indicates the level of general application)
Nu
mb
er o
f map
feat
ure
s(a
nd
the
subs
eque
nt c
ompl
exity
of re
latio
nsh
ips
betw
een
them
)
Bike Map
Trail Map
Crime Hot Spots
Suitability Map
AnalysisResults
AtlasThematic Map
Census Data
ThematicMaps
Low High
High
Low
Atlas Reference Map
Topo Map
ReferenceMaps
Special UseMaps
DLM5m resolution
DLM5m resolution
DLM25m resolution
DLM25m resolution
DCM_250KDCM_250K
DCM_10KDCM_10K
DCM_100KDCM_100K
DCM_50KDCM_50K
Digital LandscapeModel
CartographicAbstraction
Digital CartographicModel
Map / AtlasProducts
DCM_Campus25KDCM_Campus25K
DCM_Topo24KDCM_Topo24K
DCM_10MillionDCM_10MillionDLM1km resolution
DLM1km resolution
10K OS Topo
24K DOQ
24K USGS Topo24K Hillshade
50K Wall Map
100K Recreation Map
250K Road Map
10M World Wall Map
30K Campus
MapProduction
Traditional GIS data modeling
Workflow or processmodel
Data modelGeographicalenvironment
Conceptualdata model
(CDM)
Logicaldata model
(LDM)
Physicaldata model
(PDM)
Producte.g., GISdatabase
Functionalmodel(FM)
+Data model
Cartographic data modeling
CCDM LCDM PCDM
Map
FCM
Cartographicworkflow model
Cartographic data model
+
Geographicalenvironment
Process of map conceptualization
Map and graphic design: an intuitive and creative process
•Type of map• Spatial format• Basic layout• Data to be
represented• Mapping technique
• Kinds of symbols• General symbology• Number of classes
and class limits• Symbol and type
relationships• Typography• Colors
• Legibility• Visual contrast• Organizational
hierarchy• Figure-ground
organization
Map conceptualization
Graphicrefinement
Graphicplan
Graphicideation
Map user andMap purpose
Mapconceptualization
Mapconceptualization
Map user andMap purpose
CCDM LCDM PCDM
Map
FCM
Cartographicworkflow model
Cartographic data model
+
Geographicalenvironment
1
7
6
3
2
4 5
8
Cartographic productionmodel
Cartographic data model
REFINEMENT
Graphicrefinement
GraphicplanGraphic
ideationMap user andmap purpose
Mapconceptualization
Geographicalenvironment
Map
FCM
CCDM
LCDM
PCDM
Map conceptualization process
Finalproduct
Publication
Export
PrintEmail
HydroLayerHydro
+
CartographicRepresentations
Representation features(multiple representations)
SymbolizationLabeling
RepresentationRules
Visual ContrastLegibilityFigure-GroundHierarchy
GraphicRules
(for Features)
Map
DataFrame
MapSurrounds
PageTemplate
Map Production Process
+ =+Featureclass
CartographyTable
Style
SelectionClassificationSimplification
GeneralizationRules
Boundaries
Cultural
Transportation
Surface Cover
PLSS
Physiography
Serve
Publish
Page layoutMap elements
Map CompilationRules
Symbology conflictsLabeling conflicts
Graphic ConflictRules
Visual Balance
GraphicRules
(for the Page)
+
Map compilation
Model generalization:•Selection•Classification
computational processgraphic refinements
CDM
SymbolizationLabeling
RepresentationRules
Visual ContrastLegibilityFigure-GroundHierarchy
GraphicRules
(for Features)
SelectionClassificationSimplification
GeneralizationRules Map
GIS data
Symbology conflictsLabeling conflicts
Graphic ConflictRules
graphic refinement
Cartographic Generalization
Simplification (reduction of detail or modification that reducesclutter)
Elimination (e.g., nth point removal algorithms)Selection (e.g., Douglas routine)Displacement or Repositioning
Classification (modification of the taxonomy or map legend categories)
Aggregation (typification, collapsing, merging, resampling)Partitioning (using metric or non-metric class breaks)Overlay (in vector space and in raster space)
Enhancement (systematic introduction of detail)Smoothing (e.g., high- or low-pass filter, or DEM pit-pass fill-in)Exaggeration (e.g., retaining features even if they might not maintain visibility "at scale")Refinement (e.g., adding road casing to symbology to highlight highways)Generation (e.g., adding detail through fractal models)Interpolation (e.g., generating a terrain grid or contour lines from individual elevation points)
Map compilation
Model generalization:•Selection•Classification
computational processgraphic refinements
CDM
SymbolizationLabeling
RepresentationRules
Visual ContrastLegibilityFigure-GroundHierarchy
GraphicRules
(for Features)
SelectionClassificationSimplification
GeneralizationRules Map
GIS data
Symbology conflictsLabeling conflicts
Graphic ConflictRules
graphic refinement
CartoCulturalFeaturesCarto
Boundaries
CartoCultural
CartoHydro
=
Generalization
CartoTransportation
CartoSurface Cover
CartoPLSS
CartoPhysiography
MapDocument
Feature by feature
+ =CulturalInformation + Cultural
features
Symbolization
GraphicRules+
Labeling
GraphicConflicts
Generalization Rules
Featureclass
Simplifylines
Simplifiedfeatures
Select basedon attributes
Selectionof features
CartographyTable
Save to layerClassifiedfeatures
Classify Layerfile
Layerfile
Representation Rules
Featureclass
Match symbolsto style
Symbolizedcarto features
JoinCarto
features
CartographyTable
Style
Save to layerLabeled cartofeatures
Load labelexpressions
Graphic Rules
Legibility -- ability to be seen AND recognizedVisual Contrast -- extent to which a symbol contrasts with its background and adjacent symbolsFigure-Ground -- spontaneous visual organization of the graphic display into two contrasting perceptual impressionsOrganizational Hierarchy -- internal graphic structuring that portrays levels of relative importance; visual distance between layersVisual Balance – how to draw a readers eye and how the data are distributed and the layout of the geography
Example of Graphic Rules
Legibilityability to be seen AND recognized
Visual Contrast
Figure-Ground
Organizational Hierarchy
Visual Balance
little square symbols&
two different colors
square = fort
red = English
Graphic Rules / Graphic Conflicts
Modifiedfeatures
Layer
Change order Ordered layersAdd to
data frameLayers on map
Layer
Order file
Check colorsfor
visual contrast
Modifiedfeatures
Checkfeature sizefor legibility
Modifiedfeatures
Checkcolor conflicts
Modifiedfeatures
Check densityof features
CompilationElements
MapLegendSlope GuideNorth ArrowConversion GraphAdjoining Sheet GuideElevation GuideBoundary GuideNotesCoordinate notesScale BarGlossaryTitle / SubtitleLocator MapTrim GuideMap SpecificationsMeter Reference Guide
Finalpage map
Example of Compilation Rules
Data frame
Changeplacementof elements
Modifiedpage map
Add to page Page mapMap template
Relative placement
relationships
Modifypositions
Highlightedproblems
Check fordiscrepancies
Map surroundelements
Future Directions
“What we want to do is to put the power back in the hands of the cartographers – allowing them the freedom to override the decisions that the computer made in order to provide absolute clarity. It’s about letting the cartographer put the art back into cartography where it’s needed.”
Paul Hardy, Cartography Product Manager, ESRI