GRASS GIS

GRASS is a full featured, general purpose Open Source geographic information system (GIS) with raster, vector and image processing capabilities. There has been constant development of the software since 1982, with recent major improvements reflecting renewed efforts by the international development team to make it one of the core components of the Open Source geospatial software stack. It can handle 2D and 3D raster data, includes a topological 2D/3D vector engine, network analysis functions, and SQL-based attribute management. This chapter presents an overview and practical examples of the GRASS 6 capabilities relevant to environmental and planning applications including new functionality. Enhancements to 3D visualization and approaches to environmental models are also discussed, as well as image processing routines pertaining to LIDAR and multi-band imagery. Integration of GRASS with other Open Source software packages for geostatistical analysis, cartographic output and Web GIS applications are described. Trends for future development are also discussed.