Golden Software, Inc. has upgraded Didger, its comprehensive software package that provides a single user interface for digitizing, geographic referencing, reprojection and coordinate conversion, and mosaicking, with more than 100 new features and enhancements.
Among the many new features is the ability to have Didger automatically digitize polylines and polygons from any source image. This saves the user time and frustration by letting Didger do the meticulous digitizing for them. Didger also includes the ability to link directly to the USGS TerraServer database. Users can download and import georeferenced satellite imagery and topographic maps of the United States free of charge.
Introduced in 1996, Didger solves the problem of combining data, vector and image files in different coordinate systems by providing extensive tools to transform data into one cohesive coordinate system. Didger precisely converts paper maps, graphs, aerial photographs, or any other plotted information into a versatile digital format that can be used with other software. Users can create new maps from the ground up or edit any imported map, drawing, image, or data set in Didger.
Two other powerful upgrades to Didger 4 are increased Surfer® compatibility and more image importing options. Users can digitize contour or other 3D data in Didger, and with a click of a button either save the data as a grid file for use in Surfer or import it directly into Surfer as a colorful contour, image, or shaded relief map. There are also more ways than ever to import and calibrate images. Users can calibrate an image either by entering coordinates manually or by simply clicking on locations in their existing project. Users can also import images un-referenced and drag and drop them anywhere in their project.
In addition, Didger 4 boasts many enhancements over previous versions, such as a single project interface. Didger has been redesigned to make it easier and faster to use, allowing users to import all their data and performing all functions in one single interface. Users who digitize well logs will find the ability to digitize wrapped logs with curves off scale incredibly useful. Users can also import files in LizardTech’s MrSID® format and ER Mapper’s ECW format, making Didger even more versatile with large images.
Didger 4 is fully compatible with other software. It imports and exports data files in all popular formats. In addition, final projects can easily be copied and pasted into other common programs, such as word processing or presentation software. Didger 4 is written for use with Windows 2000, XP, Vista and higher and is now available for a retail price of $389. Upgrades from previous Didger versions are only $129.
