Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are involved
with the capture, storage, manipulation, retrieval and display of spatial
data. Spatial data refer to objects on the earth’s surface which
have horizontal/2D coordinates, often with a 3rd (vertical plane/3D)
and 4th dimension (time). Different data types are used to portray the
objects, each suitable for different phenomena. This data can then be
studied and/or combined to reveal spatial relationships and produce
answers to questions in this regard.
To see examples of geographic applications Creo Design has used GIS
for, click here.
Remote Sensing (RS) refers to data types which are
captured from a distance or remotely ‘sensed’, e.g. aerial
photographs and satellite pictures. These pictures have different characteristics
in terms of spatial, spectral, and temporal resolution. As such, these
data types have different applications depending on the client’s
requirements. In some instances the high level of detail, characteristic
of aerial photographs or high-resolution satellite images, permits landuse/landcover
mapping based on visual interpretation. Other data sources, notably
satellite images with a high spectral resolution, allow data extraction
from the images by manipulation of the different bands. Processes include
spectral enhancement of images to distinguish between different features,
or the matching of spectral response curves to satellite sensor bands
in order to identify certain objects/materials.
To see examples of geographic applications Creo Design has used RS for,
click here.
