ArcScan for ArcGIS

ArcScan for ArcGIS is an extension to ArcGIS Desktop that provides a comprehensive and easy-to-use set of tools for raster-to-vector conversion.

Significantly minimize your postprocessing work by using the automatic vectorization capabilities within ArcScan for ArcGIS to create vector features from the entire image or by interactively vectorising selected areas.

With ArcScan for ArcGIS, you can

  • Automate the conversion of scanned paper maps to vector form
  • Reduce the time and expense of creating GIS data
  • Create shapefile or geodatabase line and polygon features directly from raster images
  • Eliminate the need to tediously digitize data by hand
  • Easily clean up scanned maps and prepare images for vectorization with simple raster editing

ArcScan for ArcGIS is an extension that appeals to a wide range of organizations that perform data automation, including

  • Government agencies and counties with parcel or town planning maps
  • Utilities that map water, gas, and electrical facilities
  • Natural resources agencies that create forestry or agricultural stands, soils, geology, and hydrology maps

These are just a few of the ways ArcScan for ArcGIS can help your organization. See how people are using ArcScan for ArcGIS to convert their data in a faster and easier manner.
Note: With the release of ArcGIS 9.3.1, the functionality of ArcScan is included in ArcEditor and ArcInfo.

Automatic vectorisation quickly traces and vectorises features from scanned images.

Interactive vectorisation is useful when you need to have more control over the vectorisation process or need to vectorise a small portion of an image.

Raster processing provides raster selection and raster cleanup tools to help you manipulate raster data.

Can ArcScan for ArcGIS scan my paper maps?

No, ArcScan for ArcGIS works with existing raster images. To use ArcScan for ArcGIS, you must first have your documents scanned to a raster image.

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What image formats are supported?

ArcScan for ArcGIS can vectorise any raster format supported by ArcGIS Desktop as long as it is represented as a bi-level image. This means that the data is symbolised with two unique colors. The Unique Values or Classify rendering options can be used to separate a raster into two colors.

Most scanned documents consist of two colors that delineate the foreground and background values. Typically, the foreground is represented as a dark color, such as black, and the background is represented as a light color, such as white. However, these colors can be reversed or represented by different values. As long as the two colors possess unique values, ArcScan will support vectorization for the current foreground raster cells.

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Can I vectorise color maps with ArcScan for ArcGIS?

Yes, you can work with color maps, but the image must first be separated into two classes.

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Does ArcScan for ArcGIS support text conversion?

No. ArcScan for ArcGIS does not support optical character recognition.


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Can ArcScan for ArcGIS be used while editing vectors?

Yes. All the ArcGIS Desktop functionality is available while you're using ArcScan for ArcGIS. The ArcGIS Desktop editing tools complement ArcScan for ArcGIS by allowing you to manipulate vector data.

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