GRASS GIS Version 6.0.0 [LWN.net]

Version 6.0.0 of GRASS GIS, the Geographic Resources Analysis Support System Geographic Information System, was recently announced. The project is summarized on the freegis.org site:

GRASS GIS (Geographic Resources Analysis Support System) is a Free Software Geographical Information System (GIS) with raster, topological vector, image processing, volume voxel management/visualization, 2D/3D vector engine with vector network analysis and graphics production functionality that operates on various platforms through a graphical user interface and shell in X-Window.

GRASS GIS is written in the C language, it runs on a wide variety of operating system platforms, and it has been licensed under the GNU GPL.

GRASS GIS is suitable for use in a wide variety of applications, it is used in the scientific domains of Geography, Landscape ecology, Urban planning, Biology, Geophysics, Hydrology, and Geostatistics.

Version 6.0.0 of GRASS GIS adds many new features, with a focus on Vector geometry features:

Overhauled Vector geometry management software with:
- Extensions for 2D and 3D topological vector data.
- Portability between 32 and 64 bit platforms.
- Import capabilities from other GIS software.
- A new Directed Graph Library for vector network analysis.
- Support for Vector map overlays, intersections, and extraction.
Attribute management is supported over a wide variety of databases.
On-the-fly GUIs are generated by the various modules.
A new graphical digitizing tool has been added.
A new framework for translating user messages to multiple languages is available.
Multi-byte FreeType font support has been added.
GRASS now supports multiple concurrent user sessions.
Support for visualization of volumes (voxels) has been added.
Support for generation of LOCATIONs from the start-up screen is in place.
Interoperability with GDAL/OGR has been added for support of additional raster and vector formats.

A more detailed list of changes can be found in the release notes.

GRASS GIS is well documented, the GRASS Documentation Project has links to manual pages, books, tutorials, and more. New documentation for this version includes a GRASS 6.0 Vector Tutorial, GRASS GIS 6.1.cvs Reference Manual, and a version 6.0.0 Programmer's Manual. A set of online screenshots show various uses of the software.

The software is available for download in both packaged and source code formats here.

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