I have done similar work for several clients; for this type of application you need a Geographic Information System (GIS). There a re several good ones but the main 3 are Arc Info (most popular, pricey), MapInfo (great capabilities, reasonably priced) and Intergraph (high end, high cost). I have worked with all 3 of them and like most software you can convert data/maps from one format to the other and in many cases you can read the maps in their original format. I use MapInfo for smaller clients and it provides an excellent solution for a low cost; some of my client use Arc Info and the cost of the software runs about 3 times higher and IMHO, it is not that much better. Intergraph is used by the larger (wealthier) clients such as the Air Force and it is normally used in conjunction with Oracle Spatial database; at this level, you are looking at a lot of money. All the products above have the capability to overlay the maps and drawings over aerial photos (very handy), they are all ODBC compatible so they can interact with most of the available databases.
Javier Valencia, PE President Valencia Technology Group, L.L.C. 14315 S. Twilight Ln, Suite #14 Olathe, Kansas 66062-4578 Office (913)829-0888 Fax (913)649-2904 Cell (913)915-3137 ================================================ Attention: The information contained in this message and or attachments is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you received this in error, please contact the sender and delete the material from all system and destroy all copies. ====================================================== -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Doug Hamilton Sent: Tuesday, October 05, 2004 1:42 PM To: RBG7-L Mailing List Subject: [RBG7-L] - Mapping in R:Base I have a sanitary district that wants to incorporate maps of their laterals and manholes into RB. We can now pull up a customer and know the nearest manhole, sewer main and pumping station. What we would like to do is be able to pull up a map of the property & area and zoom in/out a la Mapquest. Ideally, roads, property lines and maybe some topographic info would be included. Options are (in increasing feasability): 1. Scanning in current engineering drawings. 2. Import drawings from engineering software; some of the maps, however, predate the use of CAD. 3. The director of the district has done some GPS work on a nature trail in conjunction with the county and was able to import & overlay GPS coordinates on existing maps. He said the trail was accurate but on their first viewing it wound up in Utah instead of Wisconsin. They made some adjustments and its now within 10 feet of actual location. 4. Suggestions? Does anyone have experience in this type of application? Any informative websites that I might check? TIA Doug Hamilton
