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Product Architecture

InFoCAD is a vector-based GIS whose internal architecture is based on coordinate geometry (COGO). InFoCAD is developed on leading-edge technology such as the UNIX and Windows NT operating systems, the X.11 and Windows environments, and the TCP/IP communications protocol. It complies with industry standards such as SQL.

All graphical information is stored in one or more of ten independent tables which reference each other and collectively make up a drawing Library. The most important tables are the COGO point, Segment, and Figure tables.

The COGO point table stores COGO point numbers and their x,y, and z coordinates. The coordinates are stored in IEEE double precision format. This accuracy ensures a high degree of precision when designing maps or making measurements.

The Segment table stores unique segment numbers and the COGO point numbers that make up a graphic representation. The Segment table references the COGO point table for the actual x, y, and z coordinates that make up the segment.

The Figure table stores figure names as well as the COGO point numbers that make up figures. The Figure table also references the COGO point table for the x, y, and coordinates of the individual points that make up each segment of a figure.

The relational nature of this architecture ensures that data is stored only once, unlike other database architectures, such as attribute-oriented databases, which store redundant data storage is one reason for InFoCAD’s unrivaled speed and performance.

A one-to-many relationship may be established between a point, segment or figure, and any number of database records. Shared primitives reduce storage requirements and provide unparalleled spatial registration and accuracy.

Additionally, attribute information, rather than being stored with the graphics, is stored separately in one or more of the nine graphic database models. Graphic performance is therefore not affected by the amount of attribute data attached to the graphics, and vice versa. Maintaining attribute information in this fashion also attribute accounts for InFoCAD’s performance in database and spatial operations.

InFoCAD’s architecture also provides for an unlimited, continuous basemap. That is the x, y, and z coordinates of the COGO points can have any value, positive or negative. Since COGO points are stores as real-world coordinates and not table coordinates, users do not need to work a fixed scale.

Advantages of COGO-based GIS

InFoCAD’s internal architecture provides the accuracy and flexibility required by the most demanding applications, unlike other vector-based systems whose accuracy depends solely on either scale or geographic coverage area, or both. Its advantage over raster-based systems is even greater, as their accuracy depends on cell size and coverage area. The efficiency and versatility of InFoCAD’s COGO-based data structure results in three additional advantages.

First, this architecture provides accuracy in geometric calculations. InFoCAD’s ability to use true arcs and to store COGO points with IEEE double precision floating point accuracy results in precise calculations and measurements.

Second, this architecture ensues connectivity. When any graphical entity is modified, all other components associated with that element are automatically updated. Since both the Segment and Figure tables reference the COGO point table for actual x, y, and z coordinates that make up the element, if a COGO point is moved, the entire graphic is automatically updated.

Third, this architecture provides outstanding performance. The independent tables ensure no data duplication and enable InFoCAD to store COGO points in memory. Therefore, graphics are redrawn very quickly. This concept is called high-speed clipping and is possible because InFoCAD only regenerates graphics that are currently visible as opposed to all the graphics in the drawing.

Simultaneous Processing

InFoCAD’s data administration allows users to share access to all information simultaneously. By sharing, we mean that InFoCAD maintains information in such a way that it is available at a moment’s notice, therefore providing a true simultaneous-processing environment. This differs from the multiple-user concept used by other systems, in which users can simultaneously read the same file, but the file remains locked, inhibiting updates or modifications. In InFoCAD, any number of authorized uses can work not only on the same time. The results of changes made by one user is updated automatically and seen instantly by all authorized uses. This translates into faster project completion with reduced overhead.

Data Administration

InFoCAD’s data administration enables users to analyze and process large and complex data sets. InFoCAD does not store redundant data and utilizes the relational nature of the COGO-based architecture to process information. This results in compact storage, which facilities extremely robust data processing. InFoCAD’s unique architecture and administration results in unrivaled functionally and performance.

Years ago, GIS industry professionals did not believe that the science of CADD and GIS belonged together, and that the concept of a system integrating the two technologies in a single environment was not practical. Today, the integration of these two sciences is essential. Creating and editing spatially referenced graphical data is an integral requirement in any GIS.

NedGraphics BV has always believed that these two science belong together and therefore, from the beginning, designed InFoCAD with a powerful graphic engine.