GIS Tech News #16
17 Apr, 2006 By: Kenneth WongFM Meets GIS
Industry events highlight the latest trends in using geospatial technologies to augment facilities management
Facilities managers are excellent jugglers. They juggle cubicle space allotments, regular maintenance works, renovation works, fire drills, building permits, safety codes and much more. Consequently, their discipline has seen a convergence of technologies: CAD, IT and ERP (enterprise resource management), to name but a few. Even GIS (geospatial information systems) is part of the facilities manager's toolbox today.
When facilities managers gather at trade shows, the topic of conversation is often the smooth integration of these disparate technologies with their primary software systems. The upcoming International ARCHIBUS/FM Users’ Conference and the recent Location Intelligence Conference both offer opportunities to examine the role of GIS in FM (facilities management). Read More>>Spatial Technologies: Terrain Modeling in a 3D World
by James L. Sipes
The ability to represent landforms in both 2D and 3D is beneficial for any professional who works with the land. 3D terrain modeling depicts landforms not only on the different continents but also ocean floors and the surfaces of other planets.
DTM & DEM
DTMs (digital terrain models), also called DEMs (digital elevation models), are computer models of the surface of the Earth. DTM and DEM typically are used interchangeably. Technically, a DTM refers specifically to a terrain model, and DEM refers to the surface of water, vegetation or another feature.
DEMs include spatial elevation data used to depict 3D landforms. A DEM file consists of a gridded pattern of cells with each cell assigned a specific elevation. The finer the grid, the more detailed the resulting landform model. A grid system is the most common way to represent surfaces because it is the simplest way to store elevation points. As a result, a grid format can be used in many different applications. Read More >>
UPCOMING GIS EVENTS
Cadalyst'scomplete list of upcoming events is always available on our Web site. Cadalyst's sister publication, Geospatial Solutions, also offers a full calendar of GIS-related events.
2006 Washington GIS Conference
May 8-10, 2006
Tacoma, Washington
“Putting GIS to Work for Washington State” is the theme of this year’s Washington GIS Conference, sponsored by WAURISA (Washington State Chapter of the Urban & Regional Information Systems Association).
WHAT'S NEW AT CADALYST.COM
Visit the GIS Tech News archives to view current and past issues online.
New Newsletter -- Location-Based Services: Cadalyst’s sister publication, GPS World, just launched LBS Insider, a free e-mail newsletter that covers the latest trends, developments and solutions in location-based services. Click here to subscribe.
Get the Code for April!Cadalyst’s April code from Hot Tip Harry is now available for download. This month's $100 winner is AutoCAD Excel Interface from Q.J. Chen, a routine that transfers text information stored in a grid layout (table) into an Excel worksheet by just locating the corners of the table.
Cadalyst Daily Update: For all the latest news and new products, subscribe to Cadalyst Daily e-newsletter. Plus, every issue includes a feature you won’t find anywhere else -- hardware and CAD software reviews, success stories, AutoCAD tips and much more! Here’s a sample of what you missed in the past couple of weeks:
- Utility Taps Images to Help Keep Citizens Safe: PG&E of California relies on high-resolution aerial photographs to assess areas surrounding natural gas pipelines.
- Review -- AutoCAD 2006 and AutoCAD LT 2006 Bible: Learn all the basics with this nonindustry-specific book.
- Pushpin LE: Placebase releases Google Map-like product for commercial applications.
Click here for links to all the latest articles in Cadalyst magazine and on Cadalyst.com.
