Computer-aided design (CAD)

Data collected on paper is difficult to maintain, retrieve, analyze and interpret. many valuable documents could be lost or they may take too long to analyze and find the specific section needed. Since technology is evolving day by day solutions are coming up for each and every problems in all sorts of fields and computer aided design is the solution for this dilemma. Computer-aided design(CAD) is used in many fields and GIS benefits a lot from this particular service. Using this method not only can these documents be better preserved they can be easily found, modified, analyzed and interpreted. Since GIS uses a large amount of map based data, digitalization of these maps can prove to be very useful. The fields in GIS where this is particularly helpful is Georeferencing, parcel mapping, utility mapping, feature extraction and route network analysis. These fields use maps the most to find accurate and precise geographical data. Georeferencing is where maps are associated with real time co-ordinates locating different landmarks, places of interest. In parcel mapping, it fetches information on land, property for city planning and used by people like estate developers. In Feature extraction images are processed, vectorized and interpreted by different companies for different reasons. In utility mapping it helps finding the networks of different assets like pipes, electrical wiring etc used by people from the electricity board, water authorities etc. All of these can be hard and time consuming if paper maps are used. Instead if the maps are digitalized and used by a computer the process is made much easier and can be done much faster using the tools such as ‘find’ and other services. Last of all this is of the utmost importance for route network analysis where ambulances, fire engines etc need to find the fastest and easiest route to their destination. Using paper maps will be particularly hard because it cannot calculate the traffic and other obstructions. Also there might not be sufficient time to find the right route so there is a definite need to digitalize the map and use different computer systems to find the right and fastest route with no obstructions.