1. Automatic Digitizing

2. Automatic Digitizing
Automatic Digitizing – computer-guided capture from a map image or source
Computer uses algorithms to digitize features from source
Often requires training the algorithm and manual cleaning of the resulting digitized data

3. Example: Automatic Digitization of Contour Lines from Contour Map

4. Step 1: Isolate Contour Lines

5. Step 2: Run Automatic Digitizer
Initial Results of Automatic Digitization

6. Step 3: Cleanup Example Cleanup Task Connecting Disconnected Contours

7. Step 3: Cleanup Example Cleanup Task Connecting Disconnected Contours

8. Step 4: Assign Contour Line Values

9. Completed Contour Lines

10. Contour Lines on Top of Original Map

11. Manual vs. Automatic Digitizing
Good for large projects
No initial operator error
Works well with large number of elements on map
Expensive
Requires manual editing
Only translates, can not interpret
Scanner errors
Needs strongly contrasting colors to work well
Manual
Sufficiently accurate
Lower initial capital
Humans interpret better
Short training period
Map scale impacts accuracy
Equipments impacts accuracy
Operator impacts quality