GIS mapping tool on detailed scale

Question

Hi all,

I'm looking for good GIS solutions that work on a relatively smaller, detailed scale. Specifically, I was wondering what APIs or toolkits are available for mapping out spaces in a building (like rooms, hallways, shelves). This need not be a 3D solution, like one might envisage for architectural CAD-type drawings. Something relatively lightweight would be ideal.

I feel like ArcGIS is a bit of overkill for that, though I may very well be wrong.

Since it's mapping but not quite GPS/routing/distance/Earth/road-type mapping I'm in a bit of a quandary.

Thanks in advance for your input!

Answer 1

PostGIS is available for many solutions, just check wikipedia.

Answer 2

The boundary between GIS and CAD softwares depends on the scale and level of detail of your data. GIS are said more suitable for topographic scales (less than 1:10000) with simplified 2D representations, and CAD softs for bigger scales (more then 1:10000) with very detailled representations, usually in 3D. Nevertheless, there is a convergence between both: GIS supports more and more 3D representations, and CAD softs provide some spatial analysis features.

If your purpose is to build a 3D model, I will suggest you a CAD software like blender. You can also have a look at sketchup or the tools used to build citygml data.