Friday, September 7, 2012

uDig Welcomes back Axios Spatial Editing Tools

The much loved Axios Spatial Editing Tools are back! These tools are included in latest uDig 1.3.2 release and do not require a separate download.


Thanks to the supportive community I was able to apply for Google Summer of Code 2012 and succeeded in porting the Spatial Tools available to the latest uDig. This success is due to the large commitment of Anne Ghisla (OSGeo SoC Administrator), Mauricio Pazos and Andrea Antonello (my two mentors) and Jody Garnett (teacher of a wonderful kick-off course). Thank you!

The project outcome is available to all of you in the uDig 1.3.2 release.

The Spatial Editing Tools provide facilities to perform key geometry editing tasks:
  • Split
  • Merge
  • Create Arc
  • Create Parallel
  • Trim
These tools behave as they did in uDig 1.2 but ...

Merge

In addition to the Merge Tool, there is now a new Merge Operation!

A new work flow has been created: now it is possible to select features using Box Selection Tool (or Table view), right-click on them and fire a "Operations --> Merge Selected" action.
This allows feature selection to be controlled directly in the Map window, relying on the selection refinement capabilities of the Box Selection Tool (Ctrl+Click to remove, Shift+Click to add).

In shorts, Merge Tool usage should be now much more 'user-friendly'!


A sequence through the new Merge Tool "Operation" work flow.

Spatial Tools

To follow a set of sequences showing the spatial tools in action.
Using the Arc Tool.
Using the Parallel Tool.
Using the Trim Tool.
Using the Split Tool.


More information will be soon available in the User Documentation (stay tuned!)

Thursday, September 6, 2012

uDig 1.3.2 Released

The uDig Community is pleased to announce the release of the uDig 1.3.2.

This point release packs significant new functionality. Thanks to our Google Summer of Code students for taking part in this years program. Macro Foi completed his work porting the advanced edit tools into this release.

There are a large number of people to thank for the nuts and bolts of this release. Cliff Broadbent and Sam Guymer transitioning the project to the tycho build system. Andrea Antonello setup the dropins folder for easy plugin installation. Jody Garnett and Frank Gasdorf ported the documentation and walkthroughs into Restructured Text resulting in a nice clean look.

This release is made in conjunction with GeoTools 8.1.

Release Details

Download the package appropriate to your platform, install (or unzip) and run:

About uDig 1.3.2

The 1.3.2 release showcases active assistance when writing CQL expressions and filters. This technology will be used to making editing styles a more rewarding and dynamic experience.

The 1.3 series features some great usability improvements with a new tool palette and easy to access tool options. For developers the uDig platform provides access to the latest open source libraries from an Eclipse RCP environment.

Here are some new features you can look forward to:

  • Import SLD 1.1 Styles
  • Edit Tools included - no longer require a separate download
  • Area - define your area of interest based on CRS, current screen or a bookmark. You can use the area of interest to filter a Map Layer or just the Table view. This is a great way to focus on just the content you are interested in.
  • Query Layers using a dynamic filter editor, there is also a checkbox to filter using the area of interest. Can be used to answer simple feature containment questions.
  • Powerful data processing with the Transform operation. Use a dynamic expression editor to generate new datasets.
  • Provide an expression to label features, allowing the Information view to list features by name.
  • Updated Info and Profile tools for raster data
  • Teradata support
  • Spatial Toolbox view allowing access to OMS3 processing; with tutorial!
  • New import and export formats: CSV and KML.
  • For details on these and other features check out the What is new!

Usability

  • Active assistance when editing CQL Filters and Expressions
  • Tool Palette with easy to use Tool Options for quick access to preferences (blog)
  • Cheatsheets offering guided assistance for new users (blog)
  • Control Tool interaction with your layers with the ability to mark background layers

Documentation:

For developers:
  • Latest GeoTools 8.1 release
  • Latest JTS 1.12
  • Latest ImageIO-EXT 1.1.4