What is GIS?
Open Source GIS Software
FlowMap
FlowMap is a freeware application
designed to analyze and display flow data. This application was developed at the
Faculty of Geographical Sciences of the Utrecht University in the Netherlands.
Platforms: Windows OS
GMT Mapping Tools
GMT is a free, public-domain collection
of ~60 UNIX tools that allow users to manipulate (x,y) and (x,y,z) data sets (including
filtering, trend fitting, gridding, projecting, etc.) and produce Encapsulated PostScript
File (EPS) illustrations ranging from simple x-y plots through contour maps to artificially
illuminated surfaces and 3-D perspective views in black and white, gray tone, hachure
patterns, and 24-bit color.
Platforms: UNIX, Macintosh
GRASS
Geographic Resources Analysis Support System (GRASS) is the public domain GIS software
application originally developed by the US Government.
GRASS
is probably the most well-known open source and original GIS
software applications. GRASS is a raster-based GIS, vector GIS, image processing
system, graphics production system, data management system, and spatial modelling
system. GRASS can be downloaded for free.
Platforms: Linux, Macintosh, Sun Solaris, Silicon Graphics
Irix, HP-UX, DEC-Alpha, and Windows OS
gvSIG
gvSIG is
an open source GIS application written in Java.
Platforms: Windows, Macintosh, Linux, UNIX
MapWindow GIS
MapWindow GIS is open source GIS application
that can be extended through plugins. The application is built using Microsoft’s
.NET
Platforms: Windows
OpenJUMP GIS
OpenJUMP GIS is an open source GIS written
in Java through a collaborative effort by volunteers. Formerly known as JUMP
GIS, the application can read shapefiles and GML format files.
Platforms: Windows, Macintosh, Linux, UNIX
Quantum GIS
Also referred to as QGIS, Quantum GIS is
an Open Source Geographic Information System (GIS).
Platforms: Linux, Unix, Mac OSX, and Windows.
SPRING
SPRING is a GIS and Remote
Sensing Image Processing system with an object-oriented data model which provides
for the integration of raster and vector data representations in a single environment.
Platform: Windows, Linux, UNIX, Macintosh
TNTLite
TNTLite MicroImages, Inc.
provides TNTlite as a free version of TNTmips , the professional software for geospatial
data analysis. The free TNTlite product has all the features of the professional
version, except TNTlite limits the size of Project File objects, and TNTlite enables
data sharing only with other copies of TNTlite (export processes are disabled).
Can either be downloaded or ordered on CD.
Platforms: Windows
uDig GIS
uDig GIS is a free, open
source GIS desktop application that runs on Windows, Linux and MacOS. uDig was designed
to use OGC’s OpenGIS standards such as WMS, WFS and more. One-click install allows
you to view local shapefiles, remote WMS services and even directly edit your own
spatial database geometries.
Platforms: Windows, Linux, Macintosh
Open Source Web Mapping
GeoMajas
Written in java, GeoMajas is an open source GIS framework for the web.
GeoServer
Java based open source server software that allows users to edit and share
geospatial data and uses open standards to spublish GIS data.
MapGuide Open Source
First introduced as open source by Autodesk in 2005, MapGuide Open Source allows
for the development of web based mapping.
MapFish
An open source mapping development framework for web mapping applications based
on the Pylon Pythons web framework.
MapServer
MapServer is an Open Source development environment for building spatially enabled
Internet applications. The software builds upon other popular Open Source or freeware
systems like Shapelib, FreeType, Proj.4, libTIFF, Perl and others.
OpenLayers
Javascript library that is open source for displaying GIS data within a browser
environment. OpenStreetMap uses OpenLayers for its main map display (aka the "Slippy Map").
TileMill
Built on open source libraries (Mapnik, node.js, backbone.js,express and CodeMirror).
The Chicago Tribune included TileMill in a series entitled
Making Maps
using PostGIS, Mapnik, TileMill, and Google Maps.
Open Source GIS Components and Packages
EDBS Reader
A free (GPLed) reader software for the EDBS format has been released: EDBS_extra
2.0. This open source utility is written in 'C'. The page is mostly in German.
fmaps
GIS/RS application for Linux and Gnome platforms. Open source code is available
for downloading from this site.
GeoTools
GeoTools is an open source, Java GIS toolkit for developing standards compliant
solutions. It's modular architecture allows extra functionality to be easily incorporated.
GeoTools aims to support OpenGIS and other relevant standards as they are developed.
MITAB
MITAB is an Open Source (i.e. Free) C++ library to read and write MapInfo .TAB (binary)
and .MIF/MID files. It is based on the OGR library which is an implementation of
the Open GIS Consortium Simple Feature specification.
OpenEV
OpenEV is a library, and reference application for viewing and analysing raster
and vector geospatial data. Download for Windows 98/NT/2000, Linux, Irix or Solaris
systems.
OpenMap
OpenMap is a FREE JavaBeans open source software component for viewing spatial data.
JavaBeans is a component specification for software written in the Java language.
In contrast to other GIS software components which offer both data viewing and analysis
capabilities, OpenMap is primarily for data viewing and offers very little in the
way of analysis functionality.
rmap
rmap is a package that will allow you to generate images of the earth from a distance
or fairly zoomed in. The code is a small C binary that reads a datafile of vectors
to generate the image.
Tkgeomap
Tkgeomap is a set of extensions to the Tcl/Tk scripting language for manipulating
and displaying geographic data.
Topology Framework
.NET
(TF.NET)
TF.NET represents a managed topology manipulation API capable of handling managed
objects representation of topological KIGWEBEntities based on other popular APIs, exposing
it's JTS-based common topology manipulation core to them. Supported external managed
APIs include: OSGeo Feature Data Objects (FDO) geometries, OSGeo MapGuide Server
(FDO-based) geometries and Autodesk ObjectARX geometries (a.k.a. KIGWEBEntities) and,
most recently, Oracle's ODP.NET. Functions provided include: Spatial predicates
(based on the DE-9IM model), Overlay functions (intersection, difference, union,
symmetric difference), Buffer, Convex hull, Area and distance functions, Topological
validity checking, Coordinate systems manipulation (transformations), Topological
graphs manipulation, and more. TF.NET libraries are free, licensed under GNU
LGPL and available for download from Google Code page.
Vhclmaps
Vhclmaps is a package of map viewers and spatial data servers that work with map
databases.
Related Resources:
OSGeo
Also referred to as the Open Source Geospatial Foundation, this entity supports
the collaborative development of open source GIS software.
Open Source Imagery Processing
Open source software for processing imagery.
State of Open Source GIS
Intensive survey by Paul Ramsey published in September of 2007 that reviews open
source GIS grouped by programming language. The survey looks at C, Java, .NET
and web-based GIS.
Commercial and Proprietary GIS Software
AGISMap
AGIS for Windows is a mapping and simple GIS
package specifically designed to be easy to use, and distributed as shareware via
the world wide web.
Platforms: Windows
Autodesk
Autodesk has a series of software applications
designed to meet GIS needs in a variety of areas that interfaces with their CAD
software.
Platforms: Windows
Bentley Systems, Inc.
Bentley provides software for the "Design, construction, and operation of the world's
infrastructure". The company’s software serves the geospatial, building, plant,
and civil vertical markets in the areas of mapping, architecture, engineering, construction
(AEC) and operations. Bentley offers a wide range of products for surveying, GPS,
photogrametry, remote sensing, imaging, conversion, mapping, cartography, and other
geospatial applications built on MicroStation Products:
Bentley Map – Desktop GIS, Bentley Cadastre – Desktop land
management GIS, Bentley Descartes – Desktop image editing, analysis, and processing, Bentley
Geo Web Publisher – GIS web publishing and viewing, Bentley PowerMap Field
– Field-enabled GIS and redlining.
Platforms:
Windows
Cartographica
Commercial software package for Mac OS featuring: Support for a huge number of import
formats, including popular Raster formats, manual editing and georeferencing, automatic
geocoding, integration with online mapping, output to large-format printers. Thirty-day
demo available for download.
Platforms: Macintosh
DeLorme
DeLorme is the producers of
XMap
, a GIS application
"with 80% of the functionality found in a traditional
GIS at 15% of the cost"
. Performs such functions as geocoding, image
rectification, 3D visualization and coordinate transformation.
Platforms: Windows
ESRI
Environmental Systems Research Institue has been creating GIS software for over
30 years. Recognized as the leader in GIS software, it's been estimated that about
seventy percent of GIS users use Esri products. Esri overhauled their software packages
into an interoperable model called ArcGIS
(the desktop GIS is referred to as ArcMap). In addition, Esri has developed
plug-ins called
extensions
which add to the functionality of ArcGIS. Demo and light versions
of Esri software are available for downloading. You can also find free data to use
with Esri products. Platforms: Windows
IDRISITaiga
IDRISITaiga is "an integrated GIS and Image
Processing software solution, provides nearly 300 modules for the analysis and display
of digital spatial information." It is developed and distributed on a non-profit
basis by the Clark Labs, a project within the Graduate School of Geography at Clark
University in Worcester, MA.
Platforms: Windows OS
Further Resources: Idrisi Resources
Intergraph
Intergraph makes several
GIS applications
. Most of the GIS packages are designed with an Open GIS
in mind and therefore can work with a variety of other GIS software formats. Intergraph has
developed products that help merge GIS with information technology (IT)
and business process improvement tools. Intergraph offers the GeoMedia family
of solutions and Modular GIS Environment MGE Suite of mapping and GIS applications.
Using an open architecture, the GeoMedia product suite integrates geospatial information throughout the enterprise and provides the tools needed to develop business-to-business and custom client applications using industry standard development tools. GeoMedia offers uninhibited access to all geospatial data formats without the need for data translations. Currently in Version 4.0 the GeoMedia family is made up of GeoMedia, GeoMedia Professional, GeoMedia WebMap, and GeoMedia WebEnterprise.
The Modular GIS Environment (MGE) product suite provides production-ready capabilities for automating, managing, analyzing, and presenting GIS data, and is completely interoperable with GeoMedia.
Platforms: Windows OS
Further Resources: Intergraph
Manifold
Manifold System provides comprehensive, professional
grade GIS software for $245 that includes a very wide array of features. Manifold
imports data from over 80 different GIS formats, including all formats used by Federal
government sites for free Internet downloads, and Manifold allows seamless, simultaneous
work with vector drawings, raster images, terrain elevations and raster data sets
either as 2D displays or 3D terrain visualizations. Manifold includes exceptional
DBMS capabilities, full development facilities and includes a built-in Internet
Map Server for fast and easy publication of GIS projects to the web without programming.
Options include US Street address geocoding and the Enterprise Edition, for centralized
geospatial data storage on enterprise servers that can be used by many GIS operators
at once. Manifold was the first GIS to attain "designed for XP" status with Microsoft
and the Manifold Internet Map Server works perfectly within ASP.NET servers. For
info, see http://www.manifold.net/professional.
Platforms: Windows
Ortelius
Ortelius is a "map illustration" software
package that adds one more selection to the very limited mapping software options
out there for Macintosh users. A free trial download is available.
Platforms: Macintosh
MapInfo - Pitney Bowes Business Insight (PBBI)
PBBI's flagship software is MapInfo, a
suite of GIS software. MapInfo Professional is their leading GIS product containing
the most advanced analytical tools. MapInfo also offers plug-ins called add-ons
to enhance the functionality of MapInfo Professional. For the development side,
MapInfo offers Map-X. Through an Active X component, developers can embed mapping
applications into other applications such as Excel. Although it can be used for
a variety of analysis, the makers of MapInfo market the software more towards the
business sector. Demo versions are available for downloading for some of MapInfo's
products.
Platforms: Windows OS
Maptitude
The
Maptitude Mapping
Software
is a full-featured mapping package for Windows. Designed for ease-of-use,
data visualization and geographic analysis, Maptitude comes with comprehensive nationwide
and worldwide maps, including complete US street maps, and Census tract
and ZIP Code boundaries and demographics. Caliper also produces TransCAD for transportation
and logistics. TransCAD is used for solving key analytical problems in transportation
planning, management, and operations. TransCAD is used extensively for transportation
database development and maintenance, demand forecasting, operations management,
and vehicle routing and scheduling.
Platforms: Windows OS
Map Maker
Map Maker Pro is a low-cost and easy to use,
yet powerful, map making and Geographical Information System for Windows. It is
designed to enable non-expert users to start producing useful maps after only a
few hours study. A variety of tools allows you to navigate around a map, measure
distances and areas, draw polygons, lines and symbols, and display and edit data.
Platforms: Windows OS
MyWorld
My World GIS is a full-featured GIS designed
for educational use. My World provides a carefully selected subset of the features
of a professional GIS environment. These features include multiple geographic projections,
table and map views of data, distance-measurement tools, buffering and query operations,
customizable map display. They have been selected to provide the greatest value
to students without overwhelming them with complexity The features are accessed
through a supportive interface designed with the needs of students and teachers
in mind. My World can import data from the industry-standard shapefile format,
as well as from tab and comma-delimited text files.
Platforms: Windows, Macintosh, Linux, Solaris
SuperGIS Desktop
Desktop GIS solution from
SuperGeo
for geoprocessing and displaying, editing, managing, querying and
analyzing geographic data.
Platforms: Windows
Terrain Tools
Terrain Tools, produced
by Softree, is a software package for surveying and mapping. It is ideal for the
forester, geologist, surveyor or resource scientist who is not a GIS specialist,
but who needs to quickly produce working maps and site plans.
Platforms:Windows
TNT Products
Created by Microimages, The TNT Products
is a suite of GIS applications for fully integrated GIS, image processing, CAD,
TIN, desktop cartography, and geospatial database management.
Platforms: Windows, UNIX, Macintosh
Free GIS data
Country level GIS Data
Free data from ESRI