A GIS viewer allows users to view and print maps created in GIS formats without GIS software. Some viewers have editing and spatial analysis tools. Different types are available for download or purchase, some for free. They can open common GIS file types and have basic image viewing features. Some viewers have editing and spatial analysis tools, and web-based viewers provide access to large amounts of geographic data.
A GIS viewer allows users without Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software on their computer to view and print maps created in GIS formats. Some types of these viewers may also contain tools for map editing and spatial analysis. There are also web-based viewers, which generally contain large amounts of downloadable geographic data. A GIS viewer is useful for people who frequently need to view, print, and share maps, but are generally not responsible for editing them.
Different types of GIS viewers are available for download or purchase, and some are even offered for free. Everyone has a different set of features, so someone in need of a viewer should look into the options and determine which one best fits their needs. Some viewers are very basic and only contain tools similar to those found in image viewers, while others are actually capable of editing maps and performing some other GIS software functions.
The average GIS viewer can open file types commonly used in GIS software, including shapefiles, vector and raster data, DBF database files, and image files. These viewers also have most of the features usually found in image viewing applications, such as zooming, panning, and printing. They can also be used to view and query the map layer database tables. You can view both map layout and page layout for files.
More complex viewers typically include various tools for editing maps and performing spatial analysis. Common editing tools include editing vector data, converting between coordinate systems, and adding photos and other information. Database tables can also be added and merged with map features. Most viewing software cannot create data, but some have limited functionality in this area. GIS viewers are usually capable of performing some type of spatial analysis, such as a proximity search.
In addition to desktop GIS viewers, there are also many web-based ones provided by various organizations. For example, some US government agencies, such as the US Geological Survey (USGS), provide online access to large amounts of geographic data. Most web viewers provide basic cartographic data, such as boundaries, roads, and bodies of water. Soil type, land use, population density, and many other datasets can also be found on various web viewers, along with database files relevant to the map files. Most online versions also allow you to download and use the data with GIS software.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
