Theoretical and Practical Deliberations with regard to Semi-Automated Cartographic Generalization

Abstract

Cartographic information originating in 'map-space' has a central role in the communication of spatial information. Cartographic information used for visualizing geo-referenced data, is always created at a certain scale, where a physiognomic simplification is carried out resulting in substantial reduction and abstraction. This takes place as part of an extensive modelling process which includes cartographic generalization and visualization. This process, caused by the complexity of steps in generalization, and supported in a cartographic information system cannot be carried out automatically. INTERGRAPH's Map Generalizer® is an interactive tool for semi-automated cartographic generalization. In this experiment its functions are applied to cartographic modelling of linear and areal map objects. Different algorithms were used and the best parameters for transferring hydrology, relief, and forest geometry from a scale of 1:50 000 to 1:200 000 were determined.