Digitizing and Editing Vector Data - Desktop GIS: Mapping the Planet with Open Source Tools - page 79

case, you have two options. You can use the search tool, as described
in Section 3.5 , Using the Attribute Table, on page 59 , to find the desired
record, or you can select the lake on the map canvas using the select
tool and then float it to the top of the table using the Move Selected to
Top button.

If you find that you need to make changes to a lot (or all) records in a
table, then you should consider using something other than a shapefile.
A spatial database may be more suited to your needs. We'll take a look
at them in Chapter 7 , Spatial Databases, on page 98 .

5.3 More Digitizing and Editing

So far we've used simple digitizing and editing techniques to capture
some data from Harrison's background DRG. Needless to say, there are
more advanced means of digitizing and editing available to us, particu-
larly with GRASS.

We'll look at some additional digitizing tasks in Chapter 8 , Creating
Data, on page 120 . Nowadays it's often best to spend a little bit of time
looking around for the data you need before you dive into a digitizing
project. Oftentimes the data already exists, and you can save a lot of
time by just grabbing it from the Internet and moving forward. But at
times you are faced with having to create your own data. The methods
we have looked at so far form a good foundation for you to launch your
own projects.

Speaking of data, let's move on to a look at data formats and what you
need to know when working with OSGIS desktop software.