Spatial Data Organization Information is the mechanism used to represent
spatial information in the dataset.
3. Spatial Data Organization Information (Mandatory
if Applicable).
CONTAINS:
3.1 Indirect Spatial Reference (Mandatory
if Applicable) AND
3.2 - 3.4 Direct Spatial Reference (Mandatory
if Applicable)
3.2 - 3.4 CONTAINS:
3.2 Direct Spatial Reference Method (Mandatory) AND
3.3 - 3.4 Spatial Object Information (Optional)
3.3 - 3.4 CONTAINS:
3.3 Point and Vector Object Information (Mandatory) OR
3.4 Raster Object Information (Mandatory)
NOTE: This guide only provides information concerning optionality at the section level and top level elements within each section. Keep in mind that the optionality of a section or compound element always takes precedence over the elements that it contains, and if deemed applicable, then the optionality of its subordinate elements is to be interpreted. Refer to either the FGDC Metadata Workbook, Version 2.0 or Section 3 of the USGS's "Image Map of the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata", a graphical representation of the Standard for rules concerning optionality.
3.1 Indirect Spatial Reference
Definition: Name of types of geographic features,
addressing schemes, or other means through which locations are referenced
in the dataset.
Format: Free text.
Example:
Indirect Spatial Reference: Street Addresses
Indirect Spatial Reference: FIPS Code
Indirect Spatial Reference: Bergen County
3.2 Direct Spatial Reference Method
Definition: The system of objects used to represent
space in the dataset.
Format: Text; Select from list.
Example:
Direct Spatial Reference Method: Point
Direct Spatial Reference Method: Vector
Direct Spatial Reference Method: Raster
3.3 Point and Vector Object Information
Definition: The types and numbers of vector or nongridded
point spatial objects in the dataset. This metadata element contains
the following sub-elements:
3.3.1 SDTS Terms Description
Definition: Point and vector object information
(Note that this reference to the SDTS is used ONLY to provide a
set of terminology for the point and vector objects).1
3.3.1.1 SDTS Point and Vector Object Type
Definition: Name of point and vector spatial objects used
to locate zero-, one-, and two-dimensional spatial locations in
the dataset.
Format: Text; Select from list.
Example:
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type: Point
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type: Entity Point
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type: Label Point
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type: Area Point
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type: Node, Planar Graph
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type: Node, Network
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type: String
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type: Link
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type: Complete Chain
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type: Area Chain
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type: Network Chain
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type: Nonplanar Graph
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type: Circular Arc
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type: Three Point Center
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type: Elliptical Arc
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type: Uniform B-spline
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type: Piecewise Bezier
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type: Ring with Mixed Composition
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type: Ring Composed of Strings
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type: Ring Composed of Chains
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type: Ring Composed of Arcs
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type: G-Polygon
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type: GT-Polygon Composed of
Rings
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type: GT-Polygon Composed of
Chains
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type: Universe Polygon Composed
of Rings
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type: Universe Polygon Composed
of Chains
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type: Void Polygon Composed of
Rings
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type: Void Polygon Composed of
Chains
3.3.1.2 Point and Vector Object Count
Definition: The total number of the point or
vector object type occurring in the dataset.
Format: Integer; Count > 0.
3.3.2 VPF Terms Description
Definition: Point and vector object information
(Note that this reference to the VPF is used ONLY to provide a set
of terminology for the point and vector objects).2
3.3.2.1 VPF Topology Level
Definition: The completeness of the topology carried by
the dataset.
Format: Integer; Range from 0 to 3.
3.3.2.2 VPF Point and Vector Object Information
Definition: Information about VPF point and vector objects.
3.3.2.2.1 VPF Point and Vector Object Type
Definition: Name of point and vector spatial objects
used to locate zero-, one-, and two-dimensional spatial locations
in the dataset.
Format: Text; Select from list.
Example:
VPF Point and Vector Object Type: Node
VPF Point and Vector Object Type: Edge
VPF Point and Vector Object Type: Face
VPF Point and Vector Object Type: Text
3.4 Raster Object Information
Definition: The types and numbers of raster spatial
objects in the dataset. This metadata element contains the following
sub-elements:
3.4.1 Raster Object Type
Definition: Raster spatial objects used to locate
zero-, two-, or three-dimensional locations in the dataset.1
Format: Text; Select from list.
Example:
Raster Object Type: Point
Raster Object Type: Pixel
Raster Object Type: Grid Cell
Raster Object Type: Voxel
3.4.2 Row Count
Definition: The maximum number of raster objects
along the ordinate (y) axis; for use with rectangular raster objects.
Format: Integer; Row Count > 0.
3.4.3 Column Count
Definition: The maximum number of raster objects
along the abscissa (x) axis; for use with rectangular raster objects.
Format: Integer; Column Count > 0.
3.4.4 Vertical Count
Definition: The maximum number of raster objects
along the vertical (z) axis; for use with rectangular volumetric
raster objects (voxels).
Format: Integer; Depth Count > 0.
References
1U.S. Department of Commerce. 1992. "Spatial Data Concepts".
Part 1, Chapter 2, in Spatial Data Transfer Standard (SDTS) (Federal
Information Processing Standard 173). Washington, D.C: U.S. Department
of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology.
2U.S. Department of Defense. 1992. Vector Product
Format (MIL-SDT-600006). Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: U.S. Department
of Defense, Defense Printing Service Detachment Office.