Drawing files created in AutoCAD can be
imported into an IGS drawing file by utilizing an
UltiMap translator routine. This translation is
accomplished using AutoCAD DXF files.
The Revision Control Data Management System
(RCDMS) is the data base management module
of UltiMap. This module allows the building of a
data base through IGS and other modules.
RCDMS allows for many people to be working on
a project and for the sharing and merging of their
respective data. It also provides for project
security through user access options. This
module also has a time stamping feature which
allows for a historical record of a project.
The Topological Access Generator (TAG) module
allows for the creation of schemes to relate
graphical features to nongraphical attribute data
files. The relationship between graphical and
nongraphical data is accomplished by linking
reference numbers assigned to an entity in IGS
with a particular value in an index field of an
attribute data file. Figure 4 shows the tagging
concept.
Q-link is the submodule used to define the
physical layout of a nongraphic data file. New or
imported existing files, such as a DIME file, must
be defined. This definition tells the system what
data are available for processing. Q-join is the
module used to manipulate information files for
efficient data extraction and file updating.
Q-view is the most important submodule of
Q-star and is the most important submodule in
the creation of GIS.
Within Q-view, the user programs the system as
to what data will be processed and what the
processing will be. Q-view allows not only for
retrieval and display of data, but also analysis of
existing data to create new data for management
purposes. Q-view allows for combined analysis
of graphical and nongraphical data or
nongraphical data analysis by itself using
spreadsheet type techniques. Within Q-view, the
user also specified which device the output of a
particular process will be sent to and the output
format.
The UltiMap program is sold by the ULTIMAP
; Corporation of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Beigiencs inde: nacio ULTIMAP provided the software to lowa State
is i University (ISU) along with the documentation at
100.10 «— ————» LINO1 100 14 no charge and provided software and
100.20 <—— ^ UNO? 110 15 ; d.
100.30 = >i SUNOS 150 i. documentation updates as they were develope
Data File
Figure 4. Tag scheme relating reference numbers THE BASE MAP COORDINATE SYSTEM
to values in an index field.
The information to the right of the arrows
represents a small data file with the first field
being defined as the index field. The remaining
fields in the data file represent attribute data
pertaining to graphical entities, perhaps lot lines
in a subdivision. The reference numbers on the
left side of the arrows are the unique reference
numbers assigned to three different graphical
entities, lot lines in our example.
The user specified how the values in the index
field will be linked to a reference number. In
Figure 4, reference numbers 100.10, 100.20, and
100.30 are linked with index field values LINO1,
LINO2, and LINOS3, respectively. When a
particular index field value is indicated through
different UltiMap processes, all attribute data for
the record with that index field value become
available for processing.
This linking, or tagging, concept to tie graphical
and non-graphical data is a basic concept in all
GIS software. Different programs use different
procedures.
The Q-Star Fourth Generation Language (Q-Star)
module is the primary module used in the
development of GIS. Within this module new or
existing data files are prepared for processing
and the system receives its instructions on what
processing is to be done to the available data.
Q-Star consists of three major submodules
including Q-link Q-join, and Q-view.
630
The center of Roland, lowa is the common corner
of Sections 14, 15, 22 and 23 of Township 85
North, Range 23 West of the 5th Principal
Meridian (PM) in the United States Public Land
Survey System (See figure 3). The 5th PM is one
of the many initial points of survey and has a
latitude = 34° 38’ 45" N and longitude = 91? 3'
37" W.
Roland is in Story County, which is a tract of 24
X 24 miles, whose south-east (SE) corner has a
latitude = 41° 51’ 47".93 and longitude 93° 13’
55"20. The South East corner is 81 X 6 - 486
miles North and 20 X 6 = 120 miles West of the
initial point (See figure 5). Also the Township
85N & R23W, whose SE corner is 84 X 6N = 504
miles N and 22 X 6W = 132 miles west of the
initial and 3 X 6N = 18N miles and 2 X 6 = 12
miles West of the SE corner of Story County.
The center of Roland is 3 miles North and 2
miles East of the SE corner of Township 85N and
Range 23W. Each square is a section which is
one mile by one mile. Roland is about, one mile
by one mile, being quarter of Sections 14, 15, 22
and 23. According to the U.S. Public Land
Survey System every section corner and quarter
are monumented. Thus they serve as physical
evidence on the ground.
The base map coordinate system to be designed
must be acceptable to a city engineer and
Surveyor. It must also be suitable for a GIS
application. Using GPS technology, the
