What is the difference between raster and vector maps

Users can visualize, and understand the relationships between geo data in forms of reports, charts, maps etc. One data type or data structure available in GIS is spatial data. It is possible to maintain spatial data as vector data or raster data. In brief, raster data is continuous data whereas vector data is discrete data.

What is Raster Data — Definition, Functionality 2. What is Vector Data — Definition, Functionality 3. Raster data consists of pixels. Each pixel has an associated value. A grid of cells represents this data. In other words, it is a matrix of cells organized into rows and columns. Each cell has a value that represents information. For example, elevation surfaces , temperature and lead contamination.

Discrete rasters have distinct themes or categories. For example, one grid cell represents a land cover class or a soil type. Each class can be discretely defined where it begins and ends. In other words, each land cover cell is definable and it fills the entire area of the cell. Discrete data usually consists of integers to represent classes.

For example, the value 1 might represent urban areas, the value 2 represents forest, and so on. Continuous rasters non-discrete are grid cells with gradual changing data such as elevation, temperature or an aerial photograph.

A continuous raster surface can be derived from a fixed registration point. For example, digital elevation models use sea level as a registration point. Each cell represents a value above or below sea level.

As another example, aspect cell values have fixed directions such as north, east, south or west. Phenomena can gradually vary along a continuous raster from a specific source. A raster depicting an oil spill can show how the fluid moves from high concentration to low concentration. At the source of the oil spill, concentration is higher and diffuses outwards with diminishing values as a function of distance.

Because vector data have vertices and paths, this means that the graphical output is generally more aesthetically pleasing. Topology rules can help data integrity with vector data models. Not only that, network analysis and proximity operations use vector data structures. Continuous data is poorly stored and displayed as vectors. If you want to display continuous data as a vector, it would require substantial generalization.

Although topology is useful for vector data, it is often processing intensive. Any feature edits require updates on topology. With a lot of features, vector manipulation algorithms are complex. The spaghetti data model was one of the first conceptual models to add structure to features in a GIS. It was a simple GIS model where lines may cross without intersecting or topology without attributes. Dan holds a Masters in Electronic Engineering with business experience in development, sales, training and marketing.

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Sign up for a free account. Want to learn more? Get in touch with one of our experts. There is no upper or lower limit for sizing vector images.

In its simplest form, a raster consists of a matrix of cells or pixels organized into rows and columns or a grid where each cell contains a value representing information, such as temperature. Rasters are digital aerial photographs, imagery from satellites, digital pictures, or even scanned maps. Asked by: Jerrod Trafford asked in category: General Last Updated: 27th June, What is the difference between raster and vector maps?

Vector data use X and Y coordinates to define the locations of points, lines, and areas polygons that correspond to map features such as fire hydrants, trails, and parcels.

Raster data, on the other hand, use a matrix of square areas to define where features are located. What does map stand for? What is raster and vector? Answer: The difference between vector and raster graphics is that raster graphics are composed of pixels, while vector graphics are composed of paths. A raster graphic, such as a gif or jpeg, is an array of pixels of various colors, which together form an image.

What is vector data used for? Vectors models are used to store data, which have discrete boundaries like country borders, land parcels and roads. Vector models are useful for storing data that has discrete boundaries, such as country borders, land parcels, and streets.

Characteristic of Points: Represented as a single 'dot 'on the map. What is the term vector?