Object-oriented Approach to Gis Data Management

The paper deals with modelling and management of spatial (3D) data representing real World. Two main software tools are mostly used – GIS and CAD systems. We analyze their functionality from several points of view. There are two main issues. The first one is the characteristics of environment modelled. CAD systems are oriented towards modelling individual man-made objects and structures with relatively high level of details and shortterm usage. On the other side GIS applications maintain large-scale models of real world with significantly lower amount of details and long-term usage. The second issue is the way of storing spatial (3D) data. While CAD data are usually stored in individual files (like DXF, IGES), GIS data require databases and DBMS. Those two data-storing methods make data from GIS and CAD applications hard to combine. Answering the interoperability requirements of recent GIS development, the paper describes possibilities of bridging GIS and CAD systems using another approach to data management. This approach has to be objectoriented database management system.