About This Article
"I want to display a map using MapFan DB, but what kind of data is available?"
"How are elements displayed on the map such as buildings, roads, and rivers—represented?"
We often receive these kinds of questions from people using MapFan DB's display map data for the first time.
There are actually two types of features displayed on digital maps:
- Features that physically exist (buildings, roads, rivers, etc.)
- Auxiliary information that doesn't physically exist but helps make the map easier to understand (contour lines, annotations, etc.)
The maps we see every day are created by overlaying these features as polygons (areas), lines, text, and point data such as icons.
In this article, we'll explain the lineup of MapFan DB's display map data and the characteristics of each.
💡 This article is recommended for:
- Those using MapFan DB's display map data for the first time
- Those who want to know what each type of display map data represents
- Those who want to understand the big picture before implementing map display functionality
Display Map Database Lineup
Here we introduce the main lineup of display map database and the characteristics of each data.
City map (1/2,500~5,000)
Large scale maps that express individual structures and buildings, suitable for enlarged display where detailed information can be viewed.
Wide map (1/25,000)
Small- to medium-scale background maps that cover the entirety of Japan, suitable for reduced display where a wide area can be viewed at a glance.
Railroad network
Data representing various railroad lines, including JR, private railroads, monorails, cable cars, and streetcars (excluding freight lines and railway sidings). The lines can be color-coded with symbol colors, allowing for diverse map expressions.
Various types of polygon data
Additional data to express background maps more richly.
Water data
Data representing water systems (seas, rivers, lakes, ponds, etc.). For rivers, line data is also provided.
Forest polygon
Polygon data representing forest areas at 1/50,000 scale
SA PA polygon
Data representing the shapes of SA (Service Areas) and PA (Parking Areas) on a wide-area scale
National and quasi-national park polygon
Data representing the shapes of national and quasi-national parks on a wide-area scale
Contour line
Data representing terrain elevation differences with lines. Displayed at appropriate intervals according to scale.
Building name
Data storing the names of buildings such as houses and buildings. Annotation display is available when combined with our background maps (City map/Wide map).
Building Routing Point
Point data indicating building entrance locations. Using this as a route search destination enables accurate guidance toward the roadside where the building's main entrance is presumed to face.
Building height
Data storing building floor number and height information associated with building polygons.
Summary
Basics of Display map database:
✅ Display map database includes both "features that physically exist" and "additional information"
✅ City map and Wide map enable expressions according to scale
✅ Water data and various polygons can express maps more richly
✅ Invisible information such as Contour line and Building name is also important for map expression
✅ By combining these data, a wide variety of map expressions can be realized
How did you find this article?
We introduced the lineup of Display map database.
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