ABSTRACT
A number of the difficulties encountered by some users in processing raster-scanned cartographic documents (especially raster-to-vector conversions) appear to arise out of a lack of understanding of the cartographic environment in which they are attempting to operate. Cartographic data processing is a complex and, in many ways, a poorly understood field. Therefore, it is possible to make numerous critical errors even if one is well trained in general data processing techniques. In many cases, knowledge of cartographic concepts and procedures may be valuable in finding shortcuts or in pointing out potential problem areas. Sometimes, while it may be technically possible to carry out a cartographic process using a digital computer, it may turn out to be more cost-effective to utilize a combination of digital and traditional techniques. The comments in this chapter cover several situations which are repeatedly encountered in practice.
