Map visualization in ArcGIS, QGIS and MapInfo

Abstract: Mapproduction, also called cartography, is one of the processes of visualrepresentation of reality. This practice has for a long time been of hugeinterest to humanity and was initially a handcraft[2]. Today most maps areproduced with the help of computers and are often the last step of a GISanalysis – the way the result is presented. This makes knowledge of mapproduction important and relevant when working with different GIS analysis. Thereare several GIS programs on the market, both free and commercial software.ArcGIS is one of the most common programs used by companies when producing mapsand is often used in universities for teaching. However, there are otherprograms on the market. Two examples of these are QGIS and MapInfo. QGIS isfree open source software and MapInfo is licensed software like ArcGIS. Theobjectives of this thesis are to explore and learn the steps of map productionin these programs and to look at how interchangeable the programs are in mapediting. This is examined by trying to create the same map and map series inthe three programs. From the process and result an evaluation schema is createdto present the functionality as well as a discussion to raise the pros and consof the programs. The result of creating a simple map shows that it is possibleto create the same map in all three programs, except from some minordifferences. When looking at the evaluations schema it is clear that theprograms have almost the same functionality. The biggest difference is thatboth ArcGIS and QGIS have a tool for generating an atlas while MapInfo lacksthis functionality. What the evaluation schema does not show is the differencesin how user-friendly the programs are. This is further narrated in the discussionpart of the report where the pros and cons are reported. The conclusion is thatArcGIS and QGIS are much alike when it comes to producing maps while MapInfoworks differently and are harder to get used to. The result gives a goodindication of which programs to choose and what type of functionality thatexists, though a more profound study could have been done where more types ofmaps were created for more reliable results.