GISBox

 I. Overview With the development of the Geographic Information Age, the demand for converting DWG drawings to GeoJSON is increasing. However, most solutions on the market rely on the GDAL toolchain and require configuring environment variables. Windows systems also require additional configuration of the ODA SDK driver to parse DWG files. Some solutions even require writing Python code, making the process complex and significantly increasing the difficulty for users with low technical skills. GISBox addresses this need by offering a DWG to GeoJSON conversion function. Simply drag and drop the file to complete the conversion; no environment configuration or coding is required, saving time and increasing efficiency, making it easy to use. II. How to Obtain a DWG File Format? As AutoCAD’s native file format, DWG can completely preserve all the information in a design drawing, covering complex 3D models, custom objects, layer configurations, and annotation styles. When exchanging file...

 As geospatial tech evolves, GIS software is vital across industries. In 2026, five tools dominate the global market. Esri’s ArcGIS Pro (US) remains the industry gold standard. This all-in-one commercial tool covers 2D/3D mapping, spatial analysis, 3D modeling, and cloud collaboration, with a robust plugin ecosystem. Ideal for enterprises, urban planning, and research, it excels in professionalism but comes with high costs, a steep learning curve, and strict hardware demands. In contrast, the open-source QGIS (international community-led) is a fast-growing free option. Cross-platform and supporting countless data formats, it offers flexible data editing, analysis, and mapping via plugins. Perfect for academia, SMEs, and non-profits, it’s cost-effective but relies on plugins for advanced features. US-based Global Mapper (Blue Marble Geographics) shines in data compatibility (300+ formats) and terrain processing. It handles 3D modeling, remote sensing, and coordinate conversion with ...

  I3S (Indexed 3D Scene Layer) is a large-scale 3D scene transmission and rendering format designed for web and cloud environments. It specifically addresses the challenges of traditional 3D models (such as OSGB and FBX) in cross-platform sharing, high-concurrency access, and fine-grained management. Previously, we published an article on how to convert I3S to OSGB using GISBox. Now, in the latest GISBox 2.1.0 version, the capability to convert OSGB to I3S has been added, significantly improving the efficiency and convenience of tile conversion. This article will guide you through the process step-by-step. Step 1: Create a New Conversion Task 1. GISBox supports a wide range of GIS format conversions. In the “Tiling ” section, select “OSGB to I3S”. This will open the “Create New Tiling Task” window. 2. In the task window, click “Select” to import your local OSGB file. The export path is set to the default folder automatically, but you can also specify a custom path if needed. 3. The...

  Free on-premise cesium ion alternative When a disaster strikes, one of the most serious challenges is quickly identifying “who and where relief is not reaching.” People who are “hard to reach” — such as the elderly, people with disabilities, foreigners, people living alone, and residents of mountainous or depopulated areas — often become invisible on maps, especially during a disaster. GIS (geographic information systems) are a powerful tool for visualizing these “invisible” entities. By overlaying information such as evacuation shelter locations, population distribution, facilities for people with special needs, and road disruptions, it is possible to spatially identify “areas where relief is likely to be unavailable.” However, in reality, this power is often hindered by delays in data updates, complex operations, and information fragmentation between departments. This is why a GIS that can be fully utilized on the ground is crucial. A lightweight GIS like GISBox is easy to use,...

  Geographic Information Systems (GIS)   are essentially key tools that bridge spatial data and practical applications. Today, they are rapidly evolving toward "greater specialization, lighter and more user-friendly designs, and smarter integration." Whether it's precise calculations for land-use planning, the construction of digital twins for smart cities, or real-time dispatch for emergency response, all rely on GIS tools tailored to specific scenarios. This article will introduce five practical GIS tools for reference. I. ArcGIS Pro The core advantage of ArcGIS Pro lies in its 64‑bit processing architecture and over 1,500 geoprocessing tools covering advanced functions such as vector/raster analysis, geostatistical modeling, and network analysis, enabling refined handling of complex geographic data. Its newly added spatial AI analysis module can automatically identify building outlines and vegetation cover changes in remote sensing imagery, achieving over 95% accuracy ...

 In the fields of 3D GIS and digital twin technology, the 3DTiles format has become one of the industry-standard data formats due to its outstanding performance. Proposed by the Cesium team, it is specifically designed for optimizing the visualization of large-scale 3D scenes, enabling rapid loading and smooth rendering of massive model data. Meanwhile, the PLY format, as a widely used 3D model storage format, is primarily employed for storing point cloud or polygon mesh data. To meet the demands for 3D data in cutting-edge fields such as digital twins and smart cities, efficiently converting PLY to the 3DTiles format is crucial. This article will analyze how to achieve this conversion using the GISBox software. I. PLY Format The PLY (Polygon File Format) is a 3D model file format developed by Stanford University for storing point cloud or polygon mesh data. It adopts a simple text or binary structure and supports attributes such as vertex coordinates, colors, and normals. It ...

As geospatial tech evolves, GIS software is vital across industries. In 2026, five tools dominate the global market. Esri’s ArcGIS Pro (US) remains the industry gold standard. This all-in-one commercial tool covers 2D/3D mapping, spatial analysis, 3D modeling, and cloud collaboration, with a robust plugin ecosystem. Ideal for enterprises, urban planning, and research, it excels in professionalism but comes with high costs, a steep learning curve, and strict hardware demands. In contrast, the open-source QGIS (international community-led) is a fast-growing free option. Cross-platform and supporting countless data formats, it offers flexible data editing, analysis, and mapping via plugins. Perfect for academia, SMEs, and non-profits, it’s cost-effective but relies on plugins for advanced features. US-based Global Mapper (Blue Marble Geographics) shines in data compatibility (300+ formats) and terrain processing. It handles 3D modeling, remote sensing, and coordinate conversion with an in...

  Free on-premise cesium ion alternative The utilization of RVT files in GIS is a key technology drawing significant attention in recent years to realize the integration of BIM and GIS. This enables the visualization, analysis, and sharing of architectural models within a three-dimensional geospatial context. This article provides a clear explanation, covering everything from the basic overview of RVT files to the method of converting RVT data into the 3D Tiles format using GISBox. What are RVT Files? RVT files are the project file format used by Autodesk’s Revit software, playing a central role as BIM (Building Information Modeling) data. RVT files integratively store the following types of information: 3D geometry of buildings Component attributes and design parameters Drawings, sections, and view information Multi-disciplinary design data such as architectural, structural, and MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) Revit is characterized by parametric design, where modifica...

 3D city models in the GIS field are evolving toward technological integration, infrastructure development, and deeper applications, becoming an important component of national strategic infrastructure. They are playing an increasingly significant role in areas such as urban planning and environmental protection. However, the primary challenge remains how to quickly generate building models. It is impractical to model each building individually — this would be too tedious, especially given the vast scale of cities and their continuous development, with new buildings constantly emerging. Is it possible to generate buildings in batches? To address this issue, the GISBox team has successfully implemented a feature in the GISBox scenario editor that allows users to select an area on the map and instantly convert it into building models. This functionality transforms vector data into realistic 3D building models, providing substantial support for GIS applications. This article will demo...

  In urban planning, logistics optimization, environmental monitoring, and many other fields, GIS software has become a fundamental tool for spatial data processing and analysis. Different users have varying needs: individual developers often prioritize free and open-source tools, enterprise teams require advanced professional functionality, and engineering groups may focus on efficient data transformation and visualization capabilities. Here we introduce four widely used GIS software solutions that cover a spectrum of needs—from lightweight data processing to professional-grade spatial analytics. I. QGIS QGIS is a free, open-source, cross-platform geographic information system. Its key strengths include: Open Source and Cost-Free  – No license fees, with transparent source code that supports customization and plugin development. Broad Compatibility  – Supports most mainstream spatial data formats (e.g., Shapefile, GeoJSON, PostGIS) and can directly read ArcGIS file types...