a question about my mapviewer program

[Russell Nelson]

Chris Barker writes:
 > 1) A custom mapping app that lets me import an existing raster map (most 
 > likely a nautical chart), and draw lines, polygons and text boxes on it, 
 > then write it out as an image (PNG, JPEG, whatever) and a PDF. I also 
 > need to import other vector data (points and polygons) in a custom format.

mapviewer currently does lines on a Terraserver layer.  However, since
my goal is to produce GIS layers, I'm going to want to create
shapefiles.  Thuban already uses code (libshapefile) that can do that,
and the Python bindings are there.  So, if I go ahead with the 'merge'
idea, I'll be writing code to edit lines.

I suspect that you can write an Extension which removes UI elements to
turn Thuban into a mapping app specialized for you.

 > 2) A tool that will let me create and manipulate a finite element grid, 
 > on top of a raster image and/or a vector map in a custom format. I have 
 > code that does the triangulation and all, I just need a way to 
 > manipulate points and display the resulting triangles.

Hmmm....  You'll need a specialized layer renderer for that, not to
mention an editor.  Still, if you're familiar with wxPython, I'd say
it's a no-brainer.

 > Do you think Thuban would be a good basis for building these apps?