manifold system

Manifold® System GISManifold® System GIS

Full Featured, Low Cost GISFull Featured, Low Cost GIS

By Rich FriedmanGIS SupervisorCity of Farmington

Manifold® System GISManifold® System GISCurrent Version 6.5Current Version 6.5

IS NOT:IS NOT:– A GIS lightA GIS light– Basic GIS for beginners (although a good option for Basic GIS for beginners (although a good option for

beginners)beginners)– A Novelty GIS packageA Novelty GIS package

IS:IS:– A full, very comprehensive GIS packageA full, very comprehensive GIS package– A very valuable addition to ANY GIS tool setA very valuable addition to ANY GIS tool set– A scalable GIS solution from a stand alone GIS to a full A scalable GIS solution from a stand alone GIS to a full

Enterprise GIS Enterprise GIS – Different both in terminology and user interface from Different both in terminology and user interface from

other GIS softwareother GIS software

Manifold® System GISManifold® System GIS Manifold® System GIS Strengths:Manifold® System GIS Strengths:

– A very complete GIS solutionA very complete GIS solution– Robust feature set, powerful geoprocessing tools, dynamic feature Robust feature set, powerful geoprocessing tools, dynamic feature

labeling, view bots, “active” database columns, full SQL support, and labeling, view bots, “active” database columns, full SQL support, and scriptingscripting

– ““Basic” package includes full editing and analysis of points, lines, Basic” package includes full editing and analysis of points, lines, polygons, images, and surfacespolygons, images, and surfaces

– Integrated Internet Map Server (IMS)Integrated Internet Map Server (IMS)– 3D display including: 3D display including:

» Vector overlay/extrusionVector overlay/extrusion» Image overlayImage overlay» Surface overlay/shadingSurface overlay/shading» Elevation contouringElevation contouring

– Support for import/export of a wide variety of geospatial, data formatsSupport for import/export of a wide variety of geospatial, data formats– Superior ability to import, link, and relate to tabular dataSuperior ability to import, link, and relate to tabular data– Full .ecw image compression engine (unlimited image size)Full .ecw image compression engine (unlimited image size)– Dynamic labeling support Dynamic labeling support

Manifold® System GISManifold® System GIS

Manifold® System GIS Weaknesses:Manifold® System GIS Weaknesses:– Cartographic hardcopy output in not as “refined” as some Cartographic hardcopy output in not as “refined” as some

competitorscompetitors

– Mr. Sid image support is “slow/weak” (uses the free Mr. Sid Mr. Sid image support is “slow/weak” (uses the free Mr. Sid Image de-compressor which is “throttled-down”)Image de-compressor which is “throttled-down”)

– Geographic projection support is VERY good internally, but Geographic projection support is VERY good internally, but import/export of certain data types and projections can be import/export of certain data types and projections can be confusing and slightly problematicconfusing and slightly problematic

– Large images can make project files very large, and increase load Large images can make project files very large, and increase load and save times dramatically (linking images with the Enterprise and save times dramatically (linking images with the Enterprise Edition solves this problem)Edition solves this problem)

– Very little 3Very little 3rdrd party support for training and applications (but there party support for training and applications (but there is excellent user based list server user support)is excellent user based list server user support)

Manifold System ProductsManifold System Products Manifold® System Professional Edition - $245Manifold® System Professional Edition - $245 Manifold® System Professional Edition with Debugger - $295Manifold® System Professional Edition with Debugger - $295 Manifold® System Enterprise Edition - $395Manifold® System Enterprise Edition - $395 Manifold® System Universal Edition - $495Manifold® System Universal Edition - $495 Manifold® Business Tools - $95Manifold® Business Tools - $95

– An optional extension to Manifold System that provides additional An optional extension to Manifold System that provides additional commands for working with drawingscommands for working with drawings

Manifold® Surface ToolsManifold® Surface Tools - $95 - $95– Optional extension to Manifold System that provides additional Optional extension to Manifold System that provides additional

commands for working with surfaces commands for working with surfaces Manifold® 2004 Geocoding Data - $100Manifold® 2004 Geocoding Data - $100

– Optional US street address geocoding database that turns on (enables) Optional US street address geocoding database that turns on (enables) street address geocoding functionsstreet address geocoding functions

(currently upgrades for any level of license costs $50.00)

Professional EditionProfessional EditionGeneral FeaturesGeneral Features

The Professional Edition is the base productThe Professional Edition is the base product Full vector and image editing capabilitiesFull vector and image editing capabilities Full Data Base EditingFull Data Base Editing 3D Visualization, DEM Support, and Elevation 3D Visualization, DEM Support, and Elevation

Contour GenerationContour Generation Full ECW and JPEG 2000 compression (unlimited Full ECW and JPEG 2000 compression (unlimited

file size)file size) Image Registration, Image Mosaic, Image FusionImage Registration, Image Mosaic, Image Fusion Unlimited Project SizeUnlimited Project Size

Professional EditionProfessional EditionGeneral Features (continued)General Features (continued)

Integrated Internet Map ServerIntegrated Internet Map Server Integrated GPS Capability (with NEMA Integrated GPS Capability (with NEMA

compliant GPS devices)compliant GPS devices) Statistical and Spatial AnalysisStatistical and Spatial Analysis Spatial Overlays (over 27 different Spatial Overlays (over 27 different

operators) and Buffersoperators) and Buffers Data transfer rules by individual column for Data transfer rules by individual column for

spatial data manipulationspatial data manipulation

Professional EditionProfessional EditionGeneral Features (continued)General Features (continued)

Spatial Editing including:Spatial Editing including:– Boolean unions, dissolves,and clipsBoolean unions, dissolves,and clips– Polygon islands and holesPolygon islands and holes– Transfer selections from vector drawing layers to image Transfer selections from vector drawing layers to image

layers or surface layers and vice versalayers or surface layers and vice versa Automatic Contouring of surfaces into areas or Automatic Contouring of surfaces into areas or

lineslines Chart Creation and EditingChart Creation and Editing User interface CustomizationUser interface Customization Geospatial SQLGeospatial SQL

Professional EditionProfessional Edition

Supports:Supports:– Vectors (points, lines, Vectors (points, lines,

polygons)polygons)

– Raster (image) DataRaster (image) Data

– 2D and 3D Surfaces2D and 3D Surfaces

– Terrain SimulationsTerrain Simulations

– Multi-layered mapsMulti-layered maps

– User defined and auto User defined and auto generated labelsgenerated labels

– Wide Range of Data Base Wide Range of Data Base & Tabular Data Formats& Tabular Data Formats

Scripting (programming) Scripting (programming) support for:support for:– ActiveXActiveX

– OLE DB & ODBCOLE DB & ODBC

– MS Internet Information MS Internet Information ServerServer

– COMCOM

– Visual BasicVisual Basic

– ASP & ASP.NETASP & ASP.NET

– MS .NET FrameworkMS .NET Framework

– MS XMLMS XML

– MS JscriptMS Jscript


Wide variety of vector, raster, terrain, and Wide variety of vector, raster, terrain, and database data import tools (over 80) database data import tools (over 80) including: including: HDF EOS, .shp, .mid/.mif, .e00, HDF EOS, .shp, .mid/.mif, .e00, SDTS, TIGER/Line (through 2002), DLG, SDTS, TIGER/Line (through 2002), DLG, VMAP/VPF, NTF, TAB, DXF, TAIF, VMAP/VPF, NTF, TAB, DXF, TAIF, DGN, DEM, SDTS DEM, NITF, Space DGN, DEM, SDTS DEM, NITF, Space Shuttle SRTMShuttle SRTM


Data export includes: .shp, .mid/.mif, .dxf, Data export includes: .shp, .mid/.mif, .dxf, mfd/mdb, SDTS and .e00 (Enterprise Edition mfd/mdb, SDTS and .e00 (Enterprise Edition required for .e00 export); image required for .e00 export); image formats: .bmp, .ecw, JPEG formats: .bmp, .ecw, JPEG 2000, .png, .gif, .jpg, .tga, .emf, .tif and 2000, .png, .gif, .jpg, .tga, .emf, .tif and GeoTiff; .bil surface format; database table formats GeoTiff; .bil surface format; database table formats such as Access .mdb, Excel .xls, Paradox .db, such as Access .mdb, Excel .xls, Paradox .db, Dbase .dbf, Lotus Wkx, HTML and ASCII text .csv Dbase .dbf, Lotus Wkx, HTML and ASCII text .csv formats as well as to any OLE DB or ODBC formats as well as to any OLE DB or ODBC database or to database providers such as Oracle, database or to database providers such as Oracle, SQL Server, DB2 or MySQL if installed SQL Server, DB2 or MySQL if installed

Professional EditionProfessional EditionEditing ToolsEditing Tools

Copy and paste from Copy and paste from and to drawings, and to drawings, images and data basesimages and data bases

Standard Vector Standard Vector Editing Plus:Editing Plus:– Extend,trim, bearing, Extend,trim, bearing,

angle offsetangle offset

– SnappingSnapping

– Image “tracing”Image “tracing”

– Shared EditShared Edit

Topology CreationTopology Creation Move, Rotate, and Move, Rotate, and

Scale Vector DataScale Vector Data Split (with)Split (with) SplineSpline

Vector FunctionsVector Functions

Professional Edition:Professional Edition:3D Visualization3D Visualization

Animation from:www.manifold.net

Professional Edition with Professional Edition with DebuggerDebugger

Same features as the Professional Edition Same features as the Professional Edition plus sophisticated Debugging tools for plus sophisticated Debugging tools for programmersprogrammers

Enterprise Edition FeaturesEnterprise Edition Features All the features of the Professional Edition All the features of the Professional Edition

PLUS:PLUS: Integrated debugger system for scriptingIntegrated debugger system for scripting Export to ESRI .e00 formatExport to ESRI .e00 format Storage in Centralized DBMSStorage in Centralized DBMS

– Any Manifold component can be stored within a Any Manifold component can be stored within a database, on an “Enterprise Server”database, on an “Enterprise Server”

– Supported ODBC compliant database management Supported ODBC compliant database management systems include IBM DB2, Microsoft SQL Server, systems include IBM DB2, Microsoft SQL Server, and Oracle (others such as MySQL are known to and Oracle (others such as MySQL are known to work)work)

Multi-user Coordination enforces access control Multi-user Coordination enforces access control and controlled editing of shared componentsand controlled editing of shared components

Use One Component in Many Projects – Data Use One Component in Many Projects – Data links allow access by several projects to a single links allow access by several projects to a single component kept within the Enterprise Server. component kept within the Enterprise Server.

Diagram from Manifold System

Help

Advantages of Enterprise Edition Advantages of Enterprise Edition ArchitectureArchitecture

Faster performance, at times by a factor of 100 or Faster performance, at times by a factor of 100 or more in interactive GIS operations as compared to more in interactive GIS operations as compared to older architecturesolder architectures

Reliable, conflict-free editing of complex data in a Reliable, conflict-free editing of complex data in a multi-user environment multi-user environment

Freedom to choose almost any DBMS vendor Freedom to choose almost any DBMS vendor Connect to multiple DBMS servers - within the Connect to multiple DBMS servers - within the

same project Manifold can transparently include same project Manifold can transparently include multiple components from different Enterprise multiple components from different Enterprise servers hosted by different DBMS vendorsservers hosted by different DBMS vendors

Advantages of Enterprise Edition Advantages of Enterprise Edition Architecture (continued)Architecture (continued)

DBMS safety. If the DBMS crashes while DBMS safety. If the DBMS crashes while working on an Enterprise project the project is still working on an Enterprise project the project is still safe and can be saved with no loss of datasafe and can be saved with no loss of data

Network fault tolerance. If the network crashes Network fault tolerance. If the network crashes while working on an Enterprise project the project while working on an Enterprise project the project is still safe. is still safe.

Ability to use Internet for remote DBMS Ability to use Internet for remote DBMS connectionsconnections

Off-line working capability such as with laptops Off-line working capability such as with laptops when traveling away from a direct connection to when traveling away from a direct connection to an Enterprise serveran Enterprise server

Manifold® Universal EditionManifold® Universal Edition

All of the features of Professional and All of the features of Professional and Enterprise EditionsEnterprise Editions

With two extensions includedWith two extensions included– Business ToolsBusiness Tools– Surface ToolsSurface Tools

Universal Edition provides a Cost savings Universal Edition provides a Cost savings of $80.00 over purchasing the extensions of $80.00 over purchasing the extensions separatelyseparately

Manifold® Business Tools Manifold® Business Tools ExtensionExtension

Districts (Advanced) - Redistricting using a Districts (Advanced) - Redistricting using a condensed, expert level dialog.condensed, expert level dialog.

Districts (Visual) - Redistricting via an easy-to-use Districts (Visual) - Redistricting via an easy-to-use visual, interactive dialog.visual, interactive dialog.

Drive-Time Zones - Computation of drive-time Drive-Time Zones - Computation of drive-time zones via an easy-to-use, interactive dialog.zones via an easy-to-use, interactive dialog.

Optimal Route - Finding an optimal route to Optimal Route - Finding an optimal route to designated locations using a condensed, expert designated locations using a condensed, expert level dialog.level dialog.

Manifold® Business Tools Manifold® Business Tools Extension (continued)Extension (continued)

Optimal Route (Visual) - Finding an optimal route Optimal Route (Visual) - Finding an optimal route to designated locations via an easy-to-use, to designated locations via an easy-to-use, interactive dialog.interactive dialog.

Send Email - Automatically send email to map Send Email - Automatically send email to map objects. Used to send spatially-targeted email.objects. Used to send spatially-targeted email.

Topology Factory - An interactive dialog to view Topology Factory - An interactive dialog to view and repair common topological errors in drawings.and repair common topological errors in drawings.

Expanded programmatic access to routing and Expanded programmatic access to routing and other functions.other functions.

Manifold® Surface ToolsManifold® Surface Tools

New Surface Transform command dialog allows New Surface Transform command dialog allows arbitrary transformation of surfaces, including arbitrary transformation of surfaces, including computations that involve multiple surfaces such as computations that involve multiple surfaces such as subtracting one surface from another. A very rich subtracting one surface from another. A very rich collection of operators allows many different types of collection of operators allows many different types of tasks to be accomplished.tasks to be accomplished.

Transfer Heights command enables rapid transfer of Transfer Heights command enables rapid transfer of surface values from surfaces to points.surface values from surfaces to points.

The Visible Area (View Shed) command shows areas The Visible Area (View Shed) command shows areas that are visible from given points. The height of viewing that are visible from given points. The height of viewing points may be automatically adjusted from a height field.points may be automatically adjusted from a height field.

Manifold® Surface Tools Manifold® Surface Tools (continued)(continued)

Options in surface generation include creating Options in surface generation include creating surfaces from drawings and tables using surfaces from drawings and tables using triangulation, Median-Polish Kriging, and Kriging triangulation, Median-Polish Kriging, and Kriging interpolation (Linear, Power, Rational and interpolation (Linear, Power, Rational and automatic model choices).automatic model choices).

Interpolation of missing pixels and Interpolate Interpolation of missing pixels and Interpolate Row.Row.

The ability to work with new Profiles and The ability to work with new Profiles and Elevations components that show cross-sectional Elevations components that show cross-sectional cuts through a given path over a surface.cuts through a given path over a surface.

Manifold® Surface Tools Manifold® Surface Tools (continued)(continued)

Sophisticated watershed capabilities and Sophisticated watershed capabilities and other hydrology functions includeing:other hydrology functions includeing:– Automatic computation of:Automatic computation of:

» streams, flow direction, flow accumulation, streams, flow direction, flow accumulation, watersheds and upstream areas. watersheds and upstream areas.

– Objects created by hydrology computations can Objects created by hydrology computations can be automatically ordered by data attributes be automatically ordered by data attributes giving their Strahler or Shreve ordering.giving their Strahler or Shreve ordering.

Expanded programmatic access to surface Expanded programmatic access to surface operations.operations.

Surface ToolsSurface ToolsImage/Surface Functions Image/Surface Functions

Only available in Surface Tools

Only available in Enterprise Edition

ProsPros Full featured GIS package with functions usually Full featured GIS package with functions usually

associated with very expensive programsassociated with very expensive programs Strong Development CycleStrong Development Cycle A scalable GIS solution from a stand alone GIS to a A scalable GIS solution from a stand alone GIS to a

full Enterprise GISfull Enterprise GIS Great set of training videos available at a very Great set of training videos available at a very

reasonable costreasonable cost Volume purchase discounts available in addition to an Volume purchase discounts available in addition to an

already outstanding price/performance/feature ratioalready outstanding price/performance/feature ratio Runtime Editions available for developers and IMS Runtime Editions available for developers and IMS

serversservers

ConsCons

Unique interface and workflow makes Unique interface and workflow makes transition from other GIS software more transition from other GIS software more difficultdifficult

Small company means fewer users, and less Small company means fewer users, and less third party supportthird party support

The vast GIS tool set may be slightly The vast GIS tool set may be slightly overwhelming for new GIS usersoverwhelming for new GIS users

Manifold Links and ResourcesManifold Links and Resources Manifold Home PageManifold Home Page

– http://www.manifold.nethttp://www.manifold.net Article on use of Manifold IMS in Hurricane Article on use of Manifold IMS in Hurricane

Katrina research: Katrina research: – http://www.gismonitor.com/news/newsletter/archive/09http://www.gismonitor.com/news/newsletter/archive/09

1505.php1505.php Manifold Training VideosManifold Training Videos

– http://www.gisadvisor.comhttp://www.gisadvisor.com Procedure comparison of Manifold and ArcGIS 8Procedure comparison of Manifold and ArcGIS 8

– http://dspace.library.cornell.edu/handle/1813/165http://dspace.library.cornell.edu/handle/1813/165 List Servers/ForumsList Servers/Forums

– www.Georeference.orgwww.Georeference.org– www.directionsmag.comwww.directionsmag.com

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