For documentation on the current version, please check Knowledge Base.
Vector dataset structure concepts
Vector Datasets
- Each dataset contains one or more Models.
- Each model has a one Spatial Component (points, lines, or areas) and one Attribute Component.
- Each Attribute Component contains zero, one or more Attribute Sets grouping zero, one or more Attributes.
- Each Attribute Set holds for all its Attributes no, one or more Attribute Values (Set of attribute values).
- Each Object belongs to one Model.
Each vector resource has the same building blocks but the interpretation and the handling can be different.
For example, an ovf dataset can have more than one model, a shp file must have exact one.
If your dataset or export doesn't match these conditions an error will occur while saving. (e.g. shp, kml/kmz and gpx)
Dataset Structure
Model
In Orbit, all datasets consist of at least one model. Each model contains spatial objects and is defined by a Spatial Component and an Attribute Component.
View and edit the Dataset Structure using the dataset properites > structure window.
Spatial component
The Spatial Component defines the geometry (points, lines or areas) and type of coordinates (2D, 3D) of all spatial objects and object vertex points in the model.
A vertex is one object coordinate. All vertices togheter compose the spatail object.
Attribute component
The Attribute Component holds the semantic or tabluar data and contains Attribute Sets (or attribute tables) which group each a list of Attributes. An Attribute has one data type definition (interger, float, string, double) and can have zero, one ore more values.
Orbit Vector File vs Esri Shapefile
If your dataset or export doesn't match these conditions an error will occur while saving.
A native Orbit Vector File can consist of several models. This feature create some interesting advantages.
One can create a dataset with spatial objects that belong to each other but that have a different geometry (e.g. roadmarks consists of lines, areas and points). This reduces the number of files and datasets which simplifies the data management.
An Esri Shapefile must have one and only one model and attribute set and must have at least one attribute.