A conceptual framework for quantitative and qualitative raster-mode generalization

Spatial filters and other raster-mode generalization techniques have received a great deal of attention in the literature on geographic information systems. These techniques fall into four principal categories: (1) structural generalization, (2) numerical generalization, (3) numerical categorization, and (4) categorical generalization. With a focus on the visual effects of generalization, this paper identifies fundamental operators and both reviews and evaluates the variety of techniques used for generalizing raster-mode images. Additionally, it presents a conceptual framework for raster-mode generalization, which can guide the development of a generalization subsystem useful in GIS applications. -Authors