Converting and generalizing maps into compact Scalable Vector Graphics format

The conversion process is based on the combination of modified Douglas- Peuker and dictionary based compression algorithms, and keeps the topology of reduced geographical features. [...] For the last ten years, two elements have largely contributed to increase the number of cartographic applications on Internet: the recent developments in interactive and dynamic cartography and the development of Internet technologies such as DHTML, Internet mapping technologies and vector formats for Internet. [...] Mathematically, the problem of reducing the size of polygonal lines is equivalent to the problem of piecewise linear curve approximation. [...] The principal aim of these algorithms is to produce the same visual representation of a map with a reduced number of polygonal points. [...] Figure 2 - The problem of contiguous polygons during the generalization process Figure 3 - The problem of different direction of polygon during the generalization process 8 To avoid the first problem we have to split polygons into chains of polygonal lines.