|
|
Analysis Extension vs. XTools vs.
ArcView GIS 3.1 Advanced Geoprocessing
|
|
Overall comments |
Included tools |
Tool features |
Performance
This page covers the main differences between the Analysis Extension, XTools and ArcView 3.1 (beta 2) new Advanced Geoprocessing tools. I will start with some overall comments on the three products.
Overall comments
This section gives you some overall comments on the software. Note that this is my own comments, but I will try to be objective. Feel free to send me your comments if they differ from mine.
Interface
-AE 1.2:
Easy to use dialogs, and a few wizards. Tools can be reached from three different places, and the user can configure it all.
-XTools:
Input through several ArcView standard dialogs. Makes the process hard to follow.
-AV 3.1:
Wizards guides you through the process. Make the operations easy to perform.
Support
-AE 1.2:
2 years of free support.
-XTools:
None.
-AV 3.1:
Costs.
Manual/Help
-AE 1.2:
Comprehensive help-files and an 84 page manual.
-XTools:
Shift click text- help and available pdf- file.
-AV 3.1:
None available yet.
Number of tools
-AE 1.2:
25 tools.
-XTools:
13 geoprocessing tools and some more other tools.
-AV 3.1:
7 tools.
Source
-AE 1.2:
Completely SWEGIS written Avenue scripts and additional DLL for 3D operations.
-XTools:
Some parts made of ESRI's sample scripts and other parts written by Mike DeLaune.
-AV 3.1:
ESRI written Avenue scripts.
Misc.
-AE 1.2:
Includes batch functionality and sample scripts.
-XTools:
Includes some tools for tables.
-AV 3.1:
There is still only a beta version available.
Included tools
This section shows which tools that are available in which programs. Note that the tools are not exactly identical, so there is a section below that go through each tool separately.
| Feature |
AE 1.2 |
XTools |
AV 3.1 |
| Buffer |
yes |
yes |
yes |
| Distance |
yes |
no |
no |
| Near |
yes |
no |
no |
| Clip |
yes |
yes |
yes |
| EraseCover |
yes |
yes |
no |
| Update |
yes |
yes |
no |
| Dissolve |
yes |
no |
yes |
| Eliminate |
yes |
no |
no |
| Explode |
yes |
yes |
no |
| Generalize/Clean |
yes |
no |
no |
| MapJoin/Merge themes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
| Split |
yes |
no |
no |
| Intersect |
yes |
yes |
yes |
| Identity |
yes |
yes |
no |
| Union |
yes |
yes |
yes |
| GraphicToShape |
yes |
yes |
no |
| ShapeToGraphic |
yes |
yes |
no |
| ConvertShape |
yes (12 ways) |
yes (2 ways) |
no |
| MakeGrid |
yes |
no |
no |
| MoveXY |
yes |
no |
no |
| Rotate |
yes |
no |
no |
| CalculateCenter |
yes |
no |
no |
| Contour |
yes |
no |
no |
| Thiessen |
yes |
no |
no |
| TIN |
yes |
no |
no |
| Assign by location |
no |
no |
yes |
| Transfer (copy/paste) |
no |
yes |
no |
| Zoom tools |
yes |
no |
no |
Tool features
This section shows the differences between the tools in the different programs. Note that an X means that the tool isn't available in that particular extension.
Buffer
| Feature |
AE 1.2 |
XTools |
AV 3.1 |
| Buffer distance from field: |
yes |
yes |
yes |
| Buffer distance from lookup table: |
yes |
yes |
no |
| Buffer distance from fixed distance: |
yes |
yes |
yes |
| Number of polygon options: |
4 |
3 |
3 |
| Number of line options: |
6 |
4 |
0 |
| Explodes the out- polygons. |
yes |
no |
no |
| Can output buffer polygons as graphics. |
* |
* |
yes |
*Can be done via ShapeToGraphic converter.
Clip
| Feature |
AE 1.2 |
XTools |
AV 3.1 |
| Explodes the out- polygons. |
yes |
no |
no |
EraseCover
| Feature |
AE 1.2 |
XTools |
AV 3.1 |
| Explodes the out- polygons. |
yes |
no |
X |
Update:
| Feature |
AE 1.2 |
XTools |
AV 3.1 |
| Explodes the out- polygons. |
yes |
no |
X |
Dissolve:
| Feature |
AE 1.2 |
XTools |
AV 3.1 |
| Explodes the out- polygons. |
yes |
X |
no |
| Dissolve on several fields. |
yes |
X |
no |
| Calculates area and perimeter. |
yes |
X |
no |
| Summarizes attribute fields. |
no |
X |
yes |
Explode:
| Feature |
AE 1.2 |
XTools |
AV 3.1 |
| Can explode on editable theme. |
yes |
no |
X |
MapJoin/Merge themes:
| Feature |
AE 1.2 |
XTools |
AV 3.1 |
| Calculates area and perimeter. |
yes |
yes |
no |
| Preserves attributes from all themes' fields. |
yes |
no |
no |
Intersect:
| Feature |
AE 1.2 |
XTools |
AV 3.1 |
| Calculates area and perimeter. |
yes |
yes |
no |
| Explodes the out- polygons. |
yes |
no |
no |
Identity:
| Feature |
AE 1.2 |
XTools |
AV 3.1 |
| Calculates area and perimeter. |
yes |
yes |
X |
| Explodes the out- polygons. |
yes |
no |
X |
Union:
| Feature |
AE 1.2 |
XTools |
AV 3.1 |
| Calculates area and perimeter. |
yes |
yes |
no |
| Explodes the out- polygons. |
yes |
no |
no |
GraphicToShape:
| Feature |
AE 1.2 |
XTools |
AV 3.1 |
| Calculates area and perimeter on polygons. |
yes |
no |
X |
| Calculates length on lines. |
yes |
no |
X |
| Converts selected only. |
yes |
no |
X |
| Automatically changes shape-type. |
yes |
no |
X |
ShapeToGraphic:
| Feature |
AE 1.2 |
XTools |
AV 3.1 |
| No major differences. |
|
|
|
ConvertShape:
| Feature |
AE 1.2 |
XTools |
AV 3.1 |
| Number of ways to convert. |
12 |
2 |
X |
| Explodes lines in multipart polygons. |
yes |
no |
X |
Performance
This section shows the differences in performance in the different programs. All tests are made with real data that shouldn't favor the Analysis Extension. The operations are made under the exact same circumstances with all extension. Note that the time is measured in seconds and that "no" means that the program doesn't include that particular tool.
| Feature |
Data |
AE 1.2 |
XTools |
AV 3.1 |
| Buffer: |
304 polygons |
165s |
177s |
485s |
| Clip: |
304 polygons with
6 polygons |
12s |
31s |
32s |
| EraseCover: |
304 polygons with
6 polygons |
6s |
31s |
no |
| Update: |
304 polygons with
6 polygons |
6s |
27s |
no |
| Dissolve: |
274 polygons to four
classes |
8s |
no |
18s |
| Explode: |
264 polygons to
286 polygons |
8s |
26s |
no |
| MapJoin: |
304 and 29
polygons |
7s |
30s |
8s |
| Intersect: |
473 and 141
polygons |
42s |
83s |
140s |
| Identity: |
473 and 141
polygons |
64s |
170s |
no |
| Union: |
473 and 141
polygons |
86s |
274s |
213s |
| GraphicToShape: |
77 graphic polygons
to shape |
1s |
1s |
no |
| ShapeToGraphic: |
77 polygons to
graphic |
6s |
1s |
no |
| ConvertShape: |
304 polygons to lines |
5s |
30s |
no |
Since I may have some problem being objective, I would like to hear your comments as well.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
