Vector Data Modeling

• Vector data utilizes points, lines, and polygons to represent the spatial features in a map.
• Topology is an informative geospatial property that describes the connectivity, area definition, and contiguity of interrelated points, lines, and polygons.
• Vector data may not be topologically explicit, depending on the file’s data structure.
• Care should be taken to determine whether the raster or vector data model best suits your data or analytical needs.

Vector Spatial Analysis

• Buffers are frequently used to create zones of a specified width around points, lines, and polygons.
• Vector buffering options include constant or variable widths, multiple rings, doughnuts, setbacks, and dissolves.
• Common single-layer geoprocessing operations on vector layers include dissolve, merge, append, and select.
• Overlay processes place two or more thematic maps on top of one another to form a new map.
• Overlay operations for use with vector data include the point-in-polygon, polygon-on-point, line-on-line, line-in-polygon, polygon-on-line, and polygon-in-polygon models.
• Union, intersection, symmetrical difference and identity are common operations used to combine information from various overlain datasets.

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