Same as the symmetrical difference tool, which isn’t available with a basic ArcGIS license.

The erase tool is readily available in QGIS in the Vector Analysis toolbox. (You could use the free trial of ET GeoWizards). If there are no available advanced licenses, it means you can’t use the erase tool. If you want to use the erase tool in ArcGIS 10, you’d have to turn on the advanced license. Open source QGIS software does not limit which tools can be used. An advanced license gives you access to everything. But your license level determines which tools you can use in ArcGIS.Ī basic license still gives you access to a large number of powerful tools. QGIS is the open source hero.ĪrcGIS has a very good geoprocessing framework. ArcGIS is the villain forcing you to connect to your license.

“Licensed to geoprocess” sounds like a really bad movie. READ MORE: 10 Free GIS Data Sources: Best Global Raster and Vector Datasets The edge goes to ArcCatalog because of its options. ArcCatalog rises to the occasion giving users the option to select their own metadata standards.īoth the QGIS Browser and ArcCatalog help to easily navigate in your filesystem and manage geodata… Over the years, metadata has evolved into a variety of formats (ISO, FGDC, INSPIRE and NAP). When was it created? Who is the creator? How was it made? The answers can be found in metadata. With ArcCatalog, it’s not only for data but also maps, models, and tools.Ī part of managing data is creating metadata. It’s like your own personal Google search engine. Pin down missing data sets by using the filter and search tools. They give basic preview functions but the focus is on data access and organization.

These applications help many manage their raster, vector, and GIS data. QGIS Browser and ArcCatalog are stand-alone GIS data management applications. Explore your geodata with ArcCatalog and QGIS Browser READ MORE: The Ultimate List of GIS Formats – Geospatial File Extensionsģ. (Because setting custom delimiters in QGIS is even better than Microsoft Office.)Īnd instead of poring over piles of conflicting and confusing GIS formats, simply consume it with QGIS. Instead of wasting time trying to add space-delimited files, the QGIS interface lets you roll it in 24 hours a day. Instead of pounding the pavement to load your NetCDF files, QGIS will consume it for YOU.

But the list goes on for GIS format consumption… ENC, shapefile, geodatabase, MapInfo formats, Microstation file formats, AutoCAD DXF, SpatiaLite, Oracle Spatial, MSSQL Spatial databases, WellKnownText (WKT)… QGIS uses the GDAL/OGR library to read and write GIS data formats. It’s cutting edge when it comes to consuming data. QGIS mind-blowingly consumes all types of dataĪrcGIS has broken more hearts than anyone for consuming data.

Arcgis file handler