Production Line Tool Set (PLTS) for ArcGIS is a collection of software applications built on top of ArcGIS for high-volume database production, maintenance, quality control, cartographic product generation, and work flow management. Aeronautical Solution and Nautical Solution are industry specific implementations of PLTS Foundation, which is the fundamental PLTS product included in every PLTS solution. PLTS Foundation provides rule-based functionality for database editing, chart production, and maintenance. The rules and additional tools necessary for the Aeronautical and Nautical Solutions are now available.

PLTS for ArcGIS—Aeronautical Solution

PLTS for ArcGIS—Aeronautical Solution addresses the complexity of producing and maintaining aeronautical charts through database driven cartography.

Aeronautical charts can be complex to produce and maintain when using manual cartography or CAD-based systems. The charts are filled with intricate text and advanced symbols that must be updated as the information content of the chart changes. PLTS for ArcGIS—Aeronautical Solution addresses the complexity of producing and maintaining aeronautical charts through database driven cartography on the ArcGIS 9 platform.

Because the charts are database driven and changed information is only entered once into a central database, the possibility of error propagation is eliminated. This approach leverages the geodatabase model built into the Aeronautical Solution, allows all updates performed at the feature level to be automatically reflected on features of associated charts, and allows updates of the feature-linked annotation contained within the charts. With feature-linked annotation, cartographers need only visit changes to confirm automated software placement of related text.

The work flow incorporated by Esri includes the use of GIS Data ReViewer, a PLTS component that zooms to changed locations for quick quality control (QC) and verification tracking. This automated update work flow translates into less manual work for cartographers, while maintaining a high level of QC and efficiency.

This initial release of Aeronautical Solution provides a work flow for producing National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency-style Enroute and Area Arrival charts. The tools can also be configured to meet other Enroute Flight Rules specifications.

PLTS for ArcGIS—Nautical Solution

PLTS for ArcGIS—Nautical Solution is used to produce and maintain seamless nautical databases from existing digital and hard-copy sources.

PLTS for ArcGIS—Nautical Solution is used to produce and maintain seamless nautical databases from existing digital and hard-copy sources. With this release, Nautical Solution has been extended to include production and continuous maintenance of Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC) data sets in compliance with the International Hydrographic Organization Transfer Standard for Digital Hydrographic Data. It also includes the previously released Digital Nautical Chart Vector Product Format (VPF) production, which is compliant with MIL-PRF-89023 and VPF MIL-STD-2407.

Successfully producing ENCs to the S-57 standard requires that the cartographer adhere to rigid attribution guidelines for the data being collected or updated. Nautical Solution makes this possible by implementing geodatabase domains and topology rules, which help to guide the proper attribution. The geodatabase model organizes the data into logical feature class groupings with subtypes for each ENC object. Topology rules help ensure conformance to spatial integrity rules set out in the S-57 ENC specifications.

Nautical Solution also supports Notice to Mariners updates and the import of ocean bathymetric survey data.

PLTS for ArcGIS 9 operates on Windows 2000 or Windows XP and requires ArcInfo. For more information, visit www.esri.com/plts, call Esri at 1-800-447-9778, or call your Esri regional office. Outside the United States, contact your local Esri distributor.