WMS:Feature Objects

Feature objects in WMS have been patterned after Geographic Information Systems (GIS) objects and include points, nodes, arcs, and polygons. Feature objects can be grouped together into coverages, each coverage defining a particular set of information. The use of feature objects is determined by the coverage, or attribute set, to which they belong, but can be separated into three important categories:

1. As a means of defining basin polygons and stream networks of pre-delineated watersheds (typically this data would be imported as a shapefile from ArcView or ArcInfo where the basin delineation and attribution has already taken place)
2. To define a conceptual model or layout of features in the watershed, such as its rough boundaries and streams. This conceptual model is then used to aid in the construction of a TIN or DEM processing for delineating watershed and sub-basin boundaries
3. Soil, land use, rainfall, or other data which can be used to define important hydrologic modeling parameters such as curve number (CN) or rainfall zone.

Related Topics

• Drawing Objects
• Images
• Shapefiles
• Coverages
• Map Module
• Feature Object Guidelines
• Build Polygons
• Creating TINs
• Creating Watershed Models
• GIS Module