more problematic

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Motiejus Jakštys 2021-05-07 11:29:45 +03:00
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@ -124,28 +124,27 @@ is more tricky with natural features that have many bends, like coastlines,
rivers or forest boundaries. rivers or forest boundaries.
To create a small-scale map from a large-scale data source, features need to be To create a small-scale map from a large-scale data source, features need to be
generalized, i.e. detail should be reduced. While performing the generalization, it simplified, i.e., detail should be reduced. While performing the
is important to retain the "defining" shape of the original feature. Otherwise, simplification, it is important to retain the "defining" shape of the original
if the generalized feature looks too different than the original, the result feature. Otherwise, if the simplified feature looks too different than the
will look unrealistic. original, the result will look unrealistic.
For example, if a river is nearly straight, it should be nearly straight after For example, if a river is nearly straight, it should remain such after
generalization. A too straightened river will look like a canal, and the other simplification. An overly straightened river will look like a canal, and the
way around --- too curvy would not reflect the natural shape. Conversely, if other way around --- too curvy would not reflect the natural shape. Conversely,
the river is highly wiggly, the number of bends should be reduced, but not if the river originally is highly wiggly, the number of bends should be
removed altogether. reduced, but not removed altogether.
Generalization problem for other objects can often be solved by other Simplification problem for other objects can often be solved by other
non-geometric means: non-geometric means:
\begin{itemize} \begin{itemize}
\item Towns and cities can be filtered and generalized by number of \item Towns and cities can be filtered by number of inhabitants.
inhabitants.
\item Roads can be eliminated by the road length, number of lanes, or \item Roads can be eliminated by the road length, number of lanes, or
classification of the road (local, regional, international). classification of the road (local, regional, international).
\end{itemize} \end{itemize}
To sum up, natural line generalization problem can be viewed as a task of To sum up, natural line simplification problem can be viewed as a task of
finding a delicate balance between two competing goals: finding a delicate balance between two competing goals:
\begin{itemize} \begin{itemize}
@ -153,13 +152,71 @@ finding a delicate balance between two competing goals:
\item Retain enough detail, so the original is still recognize-able. \item Retain enough detail, so the original is still recognize-able.
\end{itemize} \end{itemize}
Given the discussed complexities, a fine line between under-generalization Given the discussed complexities, a fine line between under-simplification
(leaving object as-is) and over-generalization (making a straight line) needs (leaving object as-is) and over-simplification (making a straight line) needs
to be found. Therein lies the complexity of generalization algorithms: all have to be found. Therein lies the complexity of simplification algorithms: all have
different trade-offs. different trade-offs.
\section{Literature review and problematic} \section{Literature Review and Problematic}
\label{sec:literature-review} \label{sec:literature-review-problematic}
\subsection{Simplification, Cartographic Simplification and Generalization}
It is important to note the distinction between simplification, line
generalization and cartographic generalization.
Simplification reduces object's detail in isolation, not taking object's
natural properties or surrounding objects into account. For example, if a
river is simplified, it may have an approximate shape of the original river,
but lose some shapes that define it. For example:
\begin{itemize}
\item Low-water rivers in slender slopes have many small bends next to each
other. A non-cartographic line simplification may remove all of them, thus
losing an important river's characteristic feature.
\item Insignificant river bend river over a long distance differs
significantly from a completely straight canal. Non-cartographic line
simplification may replace a long and small bend with a straight line,
making the river more similar to a canal than a river.
\end{itemize}
In other words, simplification simplifies the line ignoring its cartographic
features. It is works well when the features are man-made (e.g., roads,
administrative boundaries, buildings)
Line simplification solves a
Simplification is most frequently used when the topology
mismatches are invisible or not a concern (huge scale maps), or when creating,
for example, river-only maps.
Conversely, cartographic generalization takes into account the surrounding
object's topology. That way, when a river is generalized, objects around it are
generalized with it. Keeping the river as an example:
\begin{itemize}
\item "Minor" bridges will be removed. Important bridges will be generalized
together with the river and remain on the river. Roads or railways that
cross the bridge will be generalized together, and will make sense (a
railway will be relatively straight when crossing the river).
\item Towns will either disappear (if they are too small for the given
scale), or retain in the correct river side.
\end{itemize}
"Cartographic Line Generalization" is in the middle: it accepts
In essence, cartographic generalization cannot be done in isolation. However,
full automatic feature generalization is not yet a solved problem <TODO:
Reference needed>. This paper examines {\WM}'s \titlecite{wang1998line}, which
has "generalization" in its title, but is a simplification following the rules
above.
A number of cartographic line generalization algorithms have been researched. A number of cartographic line generalization algorithms have been researched.
The "classical" ones are {\DP}\cite{douglas1973algorithms} and The "classical" ones are {\DP}\cite{douglas1973algorithms} and
@ -172,13 +229,15 @@ which only theorize, but do not provide an implementation.
\subsection{Available algorithms} \subsection{Available algorithms}
\subsection{Simplification requirements}
\subsubsection{{\DP}, {\VW} and Chaikin's} \subsubsection{{\DP}, {\VW} and Chaikin's}
{\DP}\cite{douglas1973algorithms} and {\VW}\cite{visvalingam1993line} are {\DP}\cite{douglas1973algorithms} and {\VW}\cite{visvalingam1993line} are
"classical" line generalization computer graphics algorithms. They are "classical" line simplification computer graphics algorithms. They are
relatively simple to implement, require few runtime resources. Both of them relatively simple to implement, require few runtime resources. Both of them
accept only a single parameter, based on desired scale of the map, which makes accept a single parameter, based on desired scale of the map, which makes them
them straightforward to adjust for different scales. straightforward to adjust for different scales.
Both algorithms are part of PostGIS, a free-software GIS suite: Both algorithms are part of PostGIS, a free-software GIS suite:
\begin{itemize} \begin{itemize}
@ -194,12 +253,11 @@ line smoothing algorithm\cite{chaikin1974algorithm} via
\href{https://postgis.net/docs/ST_ChaikinSmoothing.html}{PostGIS \href{https://postgis.net/docs/ST_ChaikinSmoothing.html}{PostGIS
\texttt{ST\_ChaikinSmoothing}}. \texttt{ST\_ChaikinSmoothing}}.
To use in generalization examples, we will use two rivers: Šalčia and Visinčia. To use in generalization examples, we will use two rivers: Šalčia and Visinčia
Figure~\ref{fig:salvis-25} illustrates the original two rivers without any (Visinčia flows into Šalčia). These rivers were chosen, because they have both
processing. large and small bends, and thus convenient to analyze for both small and large
scale generalization. Figure~\ref{fig:salvis-25} illustrates the original two
These rivers were chosen, because they have both large and small bends, and rivers without any simplification.
thus convenient to analyze for both small and large scale generalization.
\begin{figure}[h] \begin{figure}[h]
\centering \centering
@ -224,11 +282,12 @@ thus convenient to analyze for both small and large scale generalization.
\label{fig:salvis-50-250} \label{fig:salvis-50-250}
\end{figure} \end{figure}
Same rivers, unprocessed, but with higher density (scales 1:\numprint{50000} Same rivers, unprocessed, but in higher scales (1:\numprint{50000} and
and 1:\numprint{250000}) are depicted in figure~\onpage{fig:salvis-50-250}. 1:\numprint{250000}) are depicted in figure~\onpage{fig:salvis-50-250}. Some
Some river features are so compact that a reasonably thin line depicting the river features are so compact that a reasonably thin line depicting the river
river is touching itself, creating a thicker line. As a result, generalization is touching itself, creating a thicker line. We can assume that some
for this river for a smaller scale is worthy. simplification for scale 1:\numprint{50000} and especially for
1:\numprint{250000} are worthwhile.
\begin{figure}[h] \begin{figure}[h]
\centering \centering
@ -246,7 +305,7 @@ for this river for a smaller scale is worthy.
\end{figure} \end{figure}
Figure~\onpage{fig:salvis-generalized-50k} illustrates the same river bend, but Figure~\onpage{fig:salvis-generalized-50k} illustrates the same river bend, but
generalized using {\DP} and {\VW} algorithms. The resulting lines are jagged, simplified using {\DP} and {\VW} algorithms. The resulting lines are jagged,
thus the resulting line looks unlike a real river. To smoothen the jaggedness, thus the resulting line looks unlike a real river. To smoothen the jaggedness,
traditionally, Chaikin's\cite{chaikin1974algorithm} is applied after traditionally, Chaikin's\cite{chaikin1974algorithm} is applied after
generalization, illustrated in generalization, illustrated in
@ -284,7 +343,7 @@ figure~\onpage{fig:salvis-generalized-chaikin-50k}.
The resulting generalized and smoothened example The resulting generalized and smoothened example
(figure~\onpage{fig:salvis-generalized-chaikin-50k}) yields a more (figure~\onpage{fig:salvis-generalized-chaikin-50k}) yields a more
aesthetically pleasant result, however, it obscures natural river features. aesthetically pleasing result, however, it obscures natural river features.
Given the absence of rocks, the only natural features that influence the river Given the absence of rocks, the only natural features that influence the river
direction are topographic: direction are topographic:
@ -340,7 +399,7 @@ have emerged. These modern replacements fall into roughly two categories:
as {\WM}'s algorithm. as {\WM}'s algorithm.
\item Mathematical shape transformation which yields a more cartographic \item Mathematical shape transformation which yields a more cartographic
result. E.g. \titlecite{jiang2003line}, result. E.g., \titlecite{jiang2003line},
\titlecite{dyken2009simultaneous}, \titlecite{mustafa2006dynamic}, \titlecite{dyken2009simultaneous}, \titlecite{mustafa2006dynamic},
\titlecite{nollenburg2008morphing}. \titlecite{nollenburg2008morphing}.