Press Release

Cadcorp passes OpenGIS conformance test for Coordinate Transformation Services

At the recent OpenGIS meeting in Liege, Belgium, Cadcorp passed conformance tests for Coordinate Transformation Services (CT IS Version 1.0) as set by the OpenGIS Consortium (OGC). This is the second OpenGIS conformance test passed by Cadcorp and further illustrates Cadcorp's position at the forefront of OpenGIS activity.

The Coordinate Transformation Services (CTS) Specification provides common interfaces for general positioning, coordinate systems, and coordinate transformations. It is a major breakthrough, allowing the easier overlaying of maps or earth images that have been created and referenced to the earth using different datums, ellipsoids, and units.

The CTS Specification is expressed in Unified Modeling Language (UML), The Unified Modeling Language (UML) is a graphical language for visualizing, specifying, constructing and documenting the artifacts of software systems. Profiles have been created in COM, CORBA and Java. Cadcorp has fully implemented the COM profile of the CTS specification.

The CTS specification consists of two major packages:

Coordinate System package
Coordinate Transformation package

Coordinates can have any number of dimensions. So the interface can handle 2D and 3D coordinates, as well as 4D, 5D and so on. The Coordinate System package will extend and replace the 2D Spatial Reference package contained in the 1998 OpenGIS Simple Features Specification, (the Simple Features specification defines the handling of standard GIS geometry such as points, lines and polygons). However, it has been designed to work in conjunction with Simple Features during any transition period.

The Coordinate Transformation package allows points to be transformed between any coordinate system. There are also hooks for allowing the same coordinate transformations to be used for transforming arbitrary geometries and images, with full and robust support for warping and tearing.

"OpenGIS is delivering standard interfaces as the building blocks of interoperable GIS. These are robust designs that offer software users tangible benefits in commercially available GIS software,” says Cadcorp technical director, Martin Daly. “Cadcorp SIS is now OpenGIS logo compliant in both areas for which conformance tests have been developed and also embraces those adopted interfaces still awaiting the establishment of conformance tests. OpenGIS is central to our development activity,” he adds.

This is yet further evidence of the major commitment Cadcorp is dedicating to the activities of this global GIS initiative.

About Cadcorp

Established in 1991, Cadcorp are a leading developer of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software. Based in the UK and USA, the Cadcorp distribution and VAR network stretches worldwide. Cadcorp play a pivotal technical role in the OpenGIS Consortium. Cadcorp SIS - Spatial Information System is a range of modules covering spatial data viewing, data management, data editing, data modelling and analysis. Cadcorp SIS ActiveX components are available for embedding into third party systems. Cadcorp ASC is Internet/Intranet developer toolkit designed for Web based GIS solutions. Cadcorp SIS applications exist in Local Government, Central Government, National Mapping Agencies, Emergency Services, Mapping and Surveying, Commerce, Broadcasting and many others.

About OGC

The Open GIS Consortium, Inc. (OGC) is an international, not-for-profit industry organisation dedicated to the full integration of geospatial data and geoprocessing resources into mainstream computing. In addition to developing the Open GIS Specification in the OGC technical committee, OGC works to inform the geoprocessing community about open geoprocessing issues and developments and promotes the widespread use of interoperable, commercial geoprocessing software, on a world-wide basis. OGC currently has some 300 members, split roughly 50/50 between the USA and the rest of the world. Members include geoprocessing software developers, IT industry leaders and government agencies, including the UK’s Ordnance Survey.

ENDS

For further information, contact: Chris Holcroft, Tel: 01438 747996, e-mail: chrish@cadcorp.com

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