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Tools

Getting started with spatial software and applications

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Tools

There are a wide variety of tools available for working with and visualizing spatial data. The selections below are some of the most commonly used tools around.

Desktop GIS Software

Traditional desktop tools for working with spatial data. These tools are designed to allow you to have full control over complex data and analysis workflows.

  • ArcGIS Pro - Commercial desktop GIS from Esri. Power tools, lots of documentation and tutorials to learn from. Part of a larger GIS ecosystem. Works on Windows PCs only.
  • QGIS - Free and open source GIS application. Supported by a large community of enthusiastic developers and users. Good tutorials available, but less well documented compared to Esri tools. Works on Mac, PC, and Linux.

Web mapping

Web based tools for creating dynamic and interactive web maps. Some analysis capabilities may exist, but these are primarily tools for interactive visualizations and data sharing.

  • Google My Maps -
  • Google Earth Web -
  • ArcGIS Online -
  • Felt maps -

Web apps

Web tools for working with and analyzing complex spatial data. These are tools for working in the cloud on geospatial data.

  • Google Earth Engine - A multi-petabyte catalog of satellite imagery and geospatial datasets with planetary-scale analysis capabilities. Runs in the cloud.
  • Planet -
  • Simply Analytics -

Storytelling

Web tools for sharing narratives in map form. Media rich templates that combine interactive maps with text, images, video, and links.

  • ArcGIS Story Maps - Infinite scroll or “scrollytelling” interface for sharing text, images, video, sound, and interactive maps. Part of the ArcGIS Online suite of apps.
  • StoryMaps JS - Open source web map tool that combines an interactive basemap with slides that can contain text images and links to help viewers navigate through a map based narrative.

Cartographic Production

Others

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