Geographic information is available in two formats: raster and vector. Raster is a fast process but the vector is more accurate. Each of the mapping techniques has its own advantages and disadvantages. The vector model identifies locations on the world using points and line segments, whereas the raster model represents locations on the globe using a series of cells.
In this blog we are going to explain the differences between the raster & vector mapping and how they are used for different purposes
Raster Mapping & Vector Mapping -
The best approach to think of raster data is to imagine it as a picture or a digital photograph made up of pixels. The pixels in a raster image grow larger, blurrier, and less usable as you zoom in.
The best approach to grasp vector data is to imagine it as an architect's drawing or a house plan made in a software application. It is composed of moveable and editable points, lines, polygons, and text. A vector image will remain useful even when zoomed in.
Uses & Differences -
Unless you have a photo editing programme, there isn't much you can do with raster files. The only thing you can do with the image is convert it to grayscale, tint it, or turn it into a negative. You can't change or remove features from the map. Raster mapping is an excellent backdrop map to which you can add your own data.
Vector data is thought to be more intelligent. Points, lines, polygons, and text all have properties, so you may select all of the buildings and change them blue, for example. If your map is becoming cluttered, you can also turn off features. You may also utilise the characteristics to link your own data to make your map more useful.
Advantages of Raster Maps -
- Each cell's geographic location is deduced from its position in the cell matrix. As a result, no geographic coordinates are maintained other than an origin point, such as the bottom left corner.
- Data analysis is usually simple to programme and rapid to perform due to the nature of the data storage technique.
- Raster maps, such as one attribute maps, are well suited to mathematical modelling and quantitative analysis because of their inherent nature.
- Discrete data and continuous data both are accommodated equally well and can be integrated more easily.
Advantages Of Vector Maps -
- Without generalisation, data can be represented in its original resolution and shape.
- Graphic output is frequently more appealing to the eye.
- Because most data, such as hard copy maps, is in vector format, there is no need to convert it.
- Data is kept in an accurate geographic location.
- Allows for more efficient topology encoding, and thus more efficient operations such as proximity and network analysis.
Disadvantages of Raster Maps -
- The resolution at which the data is represented is determined by the cell size.
- Establishing the network connection with raster maps is challenging because it's hard to accurately represent the linear characteristics depending on the cell resolution,
- It will become more time consuming to process the linked attributes, if there is a lot. Raster maps, by their very nature, only show one attribute or characteristic for a given location.
- Most of the incoming data comes in a vector form. So to create a raster map, data needs to be converted into raster, this results in increasing processing needs. Data analysts can face data integrity concerns that may arise as a result of generalisation and the selection of an unsuitable cell size.
- Most of the grid-cell system output maps do not meet high-quality cartographic requirements.
Disadvantages of Vector Maps -
- Each vertex's location must be recorded explicitly.
- Vector data is successfully analysed as a topological structure. A data cleaning process is an important step and that is also a time-consuming operation.
- Any changes to the vector data or editing in the vector data demand a re-build of the topology because the topology is static.
- It is a very time consuming task to run algorithms for manipulating and analysing functions as there are huge data sets and a number of features.
- Continuous data(height) can’t be represented adequately in vector form. Significant data generalisation or interpolation is necessary for these data layers.
- It's impossible to do spatial analysis and filtering within polygons.
Which Is better?
There are various use cases for both raster and vector data, as we've shown. Also there are always advantages and disadvantages with both of the techniques. Since raster can be turned to vector and vice versa, there is no need to prefer one over the other.
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