8.1. Visualization and Mapping Programs

This chapter focuses on OpenEV, but there are many other GIS and mapping programs available. Some are open source and some are commercial.

8.1.1. Other Open Source Mapping Programs

Here is a list of some of the free and open source desktop GIS and mapping programs available today:

Quantum GIS (QGIS)

http://www.qgis.org

Java Unified Mapping Platform (JUMP)

http://jump-project.org

User-friendly Desktop GIS (UDIG)

http://udig.refractions.net

Thuban

http://thuban.intevation.org

OpenMap

http://openmap.bbn.com

OpenEV

http://fwtools.maptools.org

For more comprehensive lists of open source GIS and mapping tools, see:

8.1.2. Other Free-to-Use Programs

Many of the major vendors distribute their own free viewers. These aren't considered freeware because you may not be able to freely distribute the programs. However, they are freely available to use:

ArcExplorer

http://www.esri.com/software/arcexplorer/

GeoMedia Viewer

http://imgs.intergraph.com/gviewer/

Geomatica FreeView

http://www.pcigeomatics.com/product_ind/freeview.html

Freeware applications include:

Gaia

http://www.thecarbonproject.com/products/gaia.html

Spring

http://www.dpi.inpe.br/spring/

Map Maker

http://www.mapmaker.com/products.htm

TatukGIS Viewer

http://www.tatukgis.com/Products/viewer/viewer.aspx

8.1.3. Other Commercial Programs

There are also several commercial GIS and mapping programs available. This is a short list with an approximate single-user license cost (U.S. dollars) based on Internet price lists.

ArcGIS ArcView

http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/arcview/ ($1,500)

Manifold

http://www.manifold.net/ ($245)

MapInfo

http://www.mapinfo.com/ ($1,490)

If you use ArcView 3 and would like to start moving to an open source product, the Gix Exporter (http://gix.sourceforge.net/) may come in handy. It is an extension for ArcView 3 that can export to MapServer map files and JUMP, QGIS, Thuban, and OpenEV project formats. It can also export to a few vector graphics formats.