I have begun trying to build a custom GIS viewer for some of the GIS users I work with. In my attempt to develop a viewer I have several goals in mind. These goals include:
- Viewer must be free
- Viewer must read as many formats as possible
- Developed in VB or VB.net
- Flexible functionality
My goals for programming languages is strictly based on my own limitations. I know how to program in VB, but preferably this project will focus on VB.net and help me to better learn its intricacies.
Currently, I have found 2 different paths to achieve my goals. These paths include using MapWindow and the ArcReadercontrol. The MapWindow website describes is as:
MapWindow GIS Open Source Software
The MapWindow application is a free, extensible, geographic information system GIS that can be used:
- As an alternative desktop GIS
- To distribute data to others
- To develop and distribute custom spatial data analysis
I like all of the functionality included with MapWindow, but the lack of GeoDatabase support in the long run is a potential problem.
My second option for building a viewer is using the ArcReadercontrol produced by ESRI. According to the “ArcGIS Desktop Help” :
The ArcReaderControl and ArcReaderGlobeControl developer components are available as ActiveX Controls and .NET Windows controls on the Windows operating system. The ArcReaderControl and ArcReaderGlobeControl expose all the functionality available in the ArcReader application. Anyone with a Publisher license can develop custom ArcReader applications with the two controls. Developing with the ArcReaderControl and ArcReaderGlobeControl allows you to deliver specific ArcReader functionality to ArcReader users.
The ArcReadercontrol seems to have a lot of functionality but their are 2 areas of concern:
- Based on Proprietary software
- Control can only open PMF files (The PMF files can contan almost any format GIS data though)
Over the next serveral days and weeks, I will be posting my progress as well as code I used to develop my viewers. Any suggestions or input is always welcome.
Posted by wilsongis 