Concepts

Handle Complex Content​

The data model and hierarchy developed in OHMG is very flexible, allowing for robust handling of single-page maps, multi-page atlases, or even multi-volume altases. This is carried-out by "demoting" (as it were) individual pages or documents and instead focusing one level up on the "Map" level, where a Map can hold one or more documents, each to be georeferenced individually. To illustrate...

Single Map​

In the most basic example, the Map has just one descendant document, and that document can be georeferenced to create a layer.

Multi-page Atlas​

In a more complex (but very common) example, a multi-page atlas will have multiple documents, and each one will be georeferenced individually. These documents are still being accessed through the context of the atlas, providing an easy way to measure and track the completeness of the atlas's georeferencing process.

In this example, you'll notice one of the documents has been split to create two separate layers. More on this below.

Multi-volume Atlas​

Finally, a light-weight grouping mechanism will allow for multiple volumes from the same atlas to be handled together.

Splitting Insets​

Because it is common for historical maps to have insets, or just multiple maps on a single page, the first step in the georeferencing workflow is to define these regions. Then, each region will be georeferenced individually, creating a layer from each piece.

The image above illustrates how three pages of an atlas would be prepared. The first page split into four regions, the second split into two, and the third would be left as a single, full sheet. After each piece has been georefrenced, there will be seven individual layers.

Seamless Mosaics​

Mosaics offer the possibility of creating a single, seamless output layer from multiple sheets of an atlas. It may be helpful to think of mosaics as layer sets. While every map will have a layer set called "main content", in complex atlases there may be other categories of layers, for example an index or key map. Layer sets allow multiple types of layers to be combined and trimmed into seamless mosaics.

Multimask​

At heart of the mosaic is the idea of a multimask, which is simply a collection of masks across all the layers in a layer set. Its existence facilitates the trimming and mosaicking processes needed to create a single, seamless, output layer.

Simple Map – one "mosaic"​

In the simplest example, a single scanned map is treated as the "main content" mosaic. This allows it to be trimmed if desired, and places it within the same category as other mosaicked output from more complex atlases.

Complex Atlas – multiple mosaics​

Some multipage atlases may contain multiple categories of layers, for example an index map on the front page, and the rest of the pages showing "main content". Using layer sets accomodates this allowing each georeferenced layer to be sorted into the proper category. After this, a multimask is applied to each set.

Collaborative Model​

An iterative, componentized workflow provides direct access for any user to contribute at any stage in the overall process.

Transformations & Projections​

Because GDAL is used in OHMG behind the scenes, any standard transformation algorithms can be used for GCPs (polynomial, thin plate spline, etc.), and any projection can be targeted.

Web Services​

Layers are immediately published as web services and can easily be integrated into third-party platforms, like OpenHistoricalMap and Felt.

Data API​

A simple API can provide researchers with programmatic access to GCPs, cutlines, and GeoTIFF download links.