Digitizing Data

Note: This still needs: definition of vector terminology, etc.

You can add data to layers using a variety of tools.

Digitizing Point Data

To digitize point data, first create a new point layer. Make sure the layer is selected and then select the pencil tool from the tools drop down menu. Now you can just click in the window to add points to the layer. You'll want to make sure that the point layer stays selected or you may accidentally add data to other layers. Remember to set the other layers to "Visible" if you do not want to edit them.

When you are finished, you can right-click on the layer in the project tree and export the data to a file type of your choosing.

Digitizing Vector Data

BlueSpray contains a powerful yet easy to use vector data layer. To get started, all you have to do is create a new "Vector Layer", selected the "poly" tool, and start drawing.

BlueSpray's vector layer is topological. This means that if you are digitizing a series of roads and you click in an intersection that already contains the end of a road, BlueSpray will automatically connect the new road to the existing one at the intersection. Then, you can keep going and add additional line segments to the road on the other side of the intersection. The same thing is true for polygons of states, cities, and other features.

If you have an existing state boundary, you can right -click on the edge and then convert and edge point to a vertex. Then you can connect other edges to this edge.