3. GIS functionalities

3.1 Data acquisition

A GIS is capable of acquiring data from different sources and in different forms (databases, maps, images, etc.). This acquisition requires knowledge of the geographic location of the information. It can be carried out by input or integration.

Data capture involves converting paper maps into a computerized format by digitizing them. This digitizing operation is long, complex and costly. Today, it mainly concerns old paper maps. It can be carried out using digitizing tables (producing vector data) or scanners (producing raster data). In the past, IGN has digitized all its reference frames (from 1/10,000 to 1/2,500,000) throughout...