See Screen Shots of this product at the News page.

Fully Integrated Raster, Vector, Terrain and Database GIS for $245


30 April 2001 - Carson City:  manifold.net is pleased to announce availability of the next generation Manifold GIS -  Manifold System Release 5.00 Professional Edition may be purchased for $245 plus shipping immediately at the manifold.net Online Store with download deliveries commencing May 7.  In an era of lackluster, evolutionary GIS developments, Release 5.00 provides nothing less than a complete revolution in the technology and business structure of GIS.  Manifold System runs in Windows '95, '98, Me, NT 4.50, 2000 and XP ("Whistler") and is seamlessly integrated with Microsoft standards.

"We believe that for almost all interactive GIS users Release 5.00 provides a decisively better choice than either ArcInfo 8 or MapInfo Professional 6 at one-twentieth to one-tenth the price.  Manifold System Release 5.00 provides a wealth of raster image manipulation capabilities that are perfectly integrated with vector drawings and terrain surfaces in the most modern Windows environment ever created in GIS.  The product is so strong at image manipulation that it not only provides sophisticated image processing previously seen only in packages costing tens of thousands of dollars, it also provides exquisite graphics arts capabilities for presentations  that in some case exceed the power of dedicated graphics arts packages such as Adobe PhotoShop or Adobe Illustrator.  Quite literally, Release 5.00 is like getting the best parts of AutoCAD, PhotoShop, Illustrator, Visual Studio and SQL Server all combined with the very best GIS you've ever seen. After 5.00 reaches broad distribution I don't think that any company that has to charge more than $250 per seat for a desktop, interactive GIS will be able to stay in business" said Dimitri Rotow, Product Manager for Release 5.00.

In addition to providing a full suite of classic GIS vector, raster, terrain, CAD and cartographic capabilities, Manifold System Release 5.00 Professional includes advanced database capabilities for data exploration and discovery never before seen in GIS.  For example, Release 5.00 is the first GIS to provide a completely integrated neurofuzzy inference engine providing "More Like This" technology to enable fuzzy searches with a single mouse click, and  Active Columns™  to make it easier than ever to incorporate sophisticated formulas within tables.  5.00 enables users to break free from the primitive need to worry about "topology" by actively managing topology on the fly so users can spend their time productively on the task at hand instead of having to worry about the nuts and bolts of how their tools work.

Core Release 5.00 Capabilities

• Drawings - Most digital maps are "vector" drawings like those used to create blueprints in Computer Aided Design (CAD) programs such as AutoCAD. To deal with these Manifold includes a vast array of CAD-style editing features. These are so extensive that many people will use Manifold as a general purpose CAD editor in AM/FM applications. Specialized features such as vectorization of images provide special CAD capabilities that are required in a mapping environment.

• Database Management - Modern maps will link the objects in drawings with records from database management systems. One can then use the map as a visual interface to the data. Manifold includes a full-power database management system complete with SQL and numerous other capabilities to make it easy to work with databases and maps simultaneously. The system includes sophisticated data exploration tools and decision support using filtering, grouping, variable views, fuzzy SQL logic and Manifold's patent-pending "More Like This" technology. Developed initial in Manifold's Database Commander™ award-winning database product line, Release 5.00 extends database capabilities yet again.  Manifold's database facilities are so strong that people will often use Manifold to explore and manage databases having nothing to do with maps.  Manifold can integrate database tables into maps using three-way technology: maintained by Manifold's own database engines, as external files using common Microsoft .mdb, .xls, .html  or similar formats or as data resident on Enterprise class databases such as SQL Server 2000, Oracle 8i, DB2 or others.  External tables are synchronized perfectly even in multi-user, multi-application environments.

• Images - Images in various formats are used throughout mapping. We use images as backgrounds, as semitransparent layers within maps, as sources for creating new digital maps, as graphics arts embellishments for a better presentation and for many other purposes. Manifold includes full capabilities for importing, editing and manipulating images, including alpha transparency capability on a per pixel basis, georegistration for use in geographic contexts and transformation to any geographic projection. The roster of graphics arts image editing effects is rivaled only by professional graphics editors such as Adobe PhotoShop while range of GIS analytic image processing commands are rivaled only by dedicated image-processing packages.

• Surfaces and Terrains - Manifold can import terrain elevation data from almost any format known and incorporate surfaces into maps as shaded 2D images showing relief, slope, aspect or other analytics, or visualized as realistic 3D terrain views.  Terrains may be overlaid with any combination of vector drawings or raster images.

• Raster Data and Images - Many data sets such as satellite sensor scans of the Earth’s surface are published as raster data. These can be used as Manifold "images" for analysis and presentation. There are many names for such data used in GIS, such as "Grid" data, depending on the context of usage. In Manifold, such data sets are either raster images or terrains. Manifold provides numerous analytic and image processing capabilities to get the most out of raster data.

• Sophisticated Layering in Maps - Manifold can combine images, drawings, surfaces or labels components in multi-layered maps where each map window can maintain a different projection than that used by its constituent components.  Layers in maps can be used together in sophisticated ways, such as using a raster layer for tracing ("vectorization") to create new objects automatically or "heads up" manually in vector layers.  Any layer can be made semitransparent, including vector layers or image layers, with transparency/opacity values automatically being combined with native transparency effects such as Alpha channel transparency or invisible pixels in images.  

• Statistics and Analysis - Manifold’s solvers and analytic subsystems include hundreds of analytic capabilities in statistics, general purpose mathematics, network analysis, graph theory, database logic, topology and computational geometry. Active Columns™ and ViewBots™ provide a new style of interactive analysis that's easy to use.

• Data Mining and Charting - Manifold’s chart windows provide 2D and 3D charts, drill down/up and data exploration of information in maps and databases. Far more than a simple plotting package, Manifold Charts are a new visual interface for exploring and understanding data. Click-back Charting™ makes it possible to select records and map objects directly from a chart. Other data exploration tools include grouping and filtering capabilities to provide strong data mining, especially when combined with Manifold Decision Support System capabilities.  The Decision Support System provides an integrated fuzzy logic engine that makes it possible for database novices to use the power of fuzzy searches with a single click.  

• Spatial Analytics - Manifold provides a wealth of spatial analytic capabilities embedded throughout the entire system. Relief effects in 2D images are automatically computed based on terrain elevations from their associated 3D terrains, for example. Manifold SQL includes dozens of spatial extensions, which apply throughout raster images as well as within vector maps. Buffer zones, spatial statistics, contours and numerous other functions provide sophisticated spatial analytics within every system.

• Network Analytics - Manifold System Release 5.00 continues to offer the most sophisticated network analytics of any GIS.  An unprecedented array of network capabilities can be used to study networks of any kind such as road systems, multimodal transportation networks, waterways, communications or even abstract computer networks.  Manifold integrates networking analytics and spatial computational geometry to provide numerous functions unavailable elsewhere.

• Cartographic Riches - Release 5.00 uses double precision floating point coordinates for accuracy of approximately 1/250-millionth of a meter at all times.  Any map, drawing, image, labels component or surface may be projected into any one of thousands of different projections (including all standard projections and numerous national grids) using any datum/ellipse known to US Federal cartographic agencies.  Items may be permanently re-projected or dynamically re-projected on the fly.  Even images can be automatically re-projected as needed on the fly to fit the dynamic projection currently in use within the map.  Manifold's ultra-modern user interfaces and sophisticated topology-on-the-fly internal engines eliminate the need to have to worry about "topology" as have done generations of ArcInfo users.  With Manifold, one can edit anything at any time with perfect ease.

• Programming - Manifold System includes a full programming environment using Microsoft languages at no additional cost. The power of Manifold System may be extended by writing scripts in Visual Basic Scripting Edition or Javascript, both of which are included with the system. Free downloads allow scripting in PERL, Python, Rexx or other industry standard ActiveX scripting languages.  Manifold’s programming environment includes full editing capabilities modeled on Visual Studio as well as "drag and drop" creation of programming forms using a wide variety of Windows controls. Manifold also may be programmed from external applications written in Microsoft standard languages such as Visual Basic or Visual C++ to create custom mapping applications based on Manifold. For casual customization, Manifold includes the ability to alter toolbars at will without any programming, as well as Active Columns and ViewBots for "ad hoc" programming.

• Web Publication - Manifold includes a simple web server that can publish maps to Internet for people worldwide to view. The web server allows simple browsing, panning, and zooming within maps by any standard web browser.

• Vast number of formats - Manifold System Release 5.00 Professional Edition can read data from over 70 different vector, raster, terrain elevation and database formats including specialty formats such as grids and the very latest government formats such as HDF EOS used with ASTER Earth observation satellite data.   This allows users to access terabytes of free GIS data by Internet directly from the source, and to use data from every GIS system known as well as from numerous specialty software packages.  The Professional Edition reads many formats and writes to key GIS interchange formats as well as numerous image and database formats.  The Enterprise Edition adds additional export capability to formats of interest to government and other Enterprise users.

• Postmodern Interface and Quiet Cockpit Design  - Release 5.00 introduces the Manifold "postmodern" interface in that a vast array of system capabilities are arranged to enable a simpler user interface.  Rather than deploy an endless array of special purpose toolbar buttons and special purpose dialogs, Release 5.00 achieves numerous sophisticated functions by using simple Windows commands such as Copy and Paste As.  For example, rather than invoke special purpose dialogs for creating a map from a geocoded table, in Release 5.00 one simply copies the table (or some of the records from the table) and pastes as a drawing.  Like magic, points appear.  Quiet Cockpit design exploits user interface advances from high performance aircraft management to display only those controls that make sense in a given situation, without lots of unusable or irrelevant controls distracting the operator's attention from the task at hand.

• Extensive, User Friendly Documentation - Manifold provides the most heavily-illustrated documentation ever created for a GIS System.  Phase one of Release 5.00 includes over 550 lavishly illustrated Help topics that include over 2000 images and screen shots.  Every aspect of the system is laid out for novice or for expert using step-by-step examples and screen shots.  All topics are heavily indexed and hyper linked for easy navigation and exploration of this key resource.

Product Configurations and Release Roadmap

5.00 is being released in two phases. The first, "interactive" phase provides most capabilities and will be available for download on or about 7 May 2001. The second phase will be available approximately 45 days later and will provide programming, advanced SQL, the web server and some additional interactive capabilities.

Manifold System Release 5.00 Professional Edition will be issued in two phases.  The first phase will be available on or about  May 7, 2001 and will include most "interactive" capabilities  planned for 5.00.  The second phase will be available approximately 45 days after the first phase and will add more advanced capabilities such as the simple web server, programming, advanced SQL and several other features.  See the What's New in 5.00 page for a listing of phase one and phase two capabilities.

Manifold System Release 5.00 Enterprise Edition will be released in August.  The Enterprise Edition provides spatial storage on enterprise databases, integrated collaborative work functionality, development for SQL Server 2000 , enhanced web server and export capability to specialty formats used within government and other large organizations.   Pricing for the Enterprise Edition will be higher than for the Professional Edition.

Release Timeline

5.00 is being released in two phases. The first, "interactive" phase provides most capabilities and will be available for download on or about 7 May 2001. The second phase will be available approximately 45 days later and will provide programming, advanced SQL, the web server and some additional interactive capabilities. All purchasers will receive both phases, including download instructions for phase one and phase two as well as the final phase two CD. If desired, a CD for phase one may optionally be purchased as well.

Manifold System Release 5.00 Professional Edition may be licensed for $245 plus shipping. See the following URLs for details:

• The News page at http://www.manifold.net/news/news_set.html for preliminary 5.00 screen shots.
• The Information page at http://www.manifold.net/products/r5/5_information.html for general information on 5.00 product options and release schedule. 
• See What's New in 5.00 at http://www.manifold.net/products/r5/5_whatsnew.html  for highlights for 4.50 users on what is new in 5.00.

Phase one is a beautiful product of immense power. Phase one is a very stable, very reliable release and has fewer bugs than 4.50 (a legendarily rock-solid release) had at initial publication. It may be used today for productive work and to create spectacular presentations. Phase one enables those users who do not need programming or some of the more exotic features of phase two to get going immediately with Release 5.00.

Development for Quality

The Manifold System Release 5.00 Professional Edition was developed in the year and half since the release of Manifold's ground-breaking Release 4.50 product.  The fastest and most modern pure vector GIS ever created, Release 4.50 sells for $145 and recruited a huge user base in the first year since its release.  The 4.50 user base played a key role in the development of Release 5.00 since over 3000 user suggestions were incorporated into 5.00 development.  4.50 users provided a steady stream of wishlist items and suggestions for improvements to guide 5.00 from inception straight through beta testing.  An informal group of advisors from key organizations such as USGS as well as enterprises managing the world's largest GIS databases provided guidance to Manifold product architects throughout 5.00 development to maximise the value of 5.00 in the world's most difficult and sophisticated GIS tasks.

5.00 was developed from the ground up using an entirely new code base.  Release 5.00 was coded entirely in Visual C++ by the manifold.net  development team of programmers and mathematicians. Numerous advances required original, ground-breaking work in mathematics.  For example the Affine georegistration capability that enables "rubber sheet" warping and projection matching of any image, drawing, surface or map to any other utilizes far fewer control points than in the numeric methods typically used in other GIS products, a major advance made possible by new theorems and algorithms developed by the manifold.net team.  In another example, fundamental mathematics work enables Manifold's heavily optimized SQL engines provide unprecedented speed with SQL queries even when used to search non-optimized databases, and for Manifold's double-precision display engines to work faster than single-precision engines used in legacy products.

Development used a highly modular, fault tolerant, rapid development methodology that built most of 5.00 internal architecture within modules that could be independently developed and tested using a series of proof-of-concept "workbench" systems.  For example, raster algorithms and commands could be developed and debugged with Manifold's internal RasterLab system, a "workbench" application that provides considerably more power than many commercial raster applications.   To achieve high performance and power certain key subsystems were written three times: once to test concepts, once to implement a full-power workbench environment and finally as a heavily-optimized, very well understood, third generation engine delivering immense power and reliability.  The result of this highly modular approach is that 5.00 at all stages of development has been an extremely reliable system within which bugs have been relatively easy to identify and eliminate.  

For customers, the result is a system that although it provides more than ten times the capabilities of its predecessor, Release 4.50, at all stages of development has been more reliable and stable, providing a final release that is a rock-solid, highly reliable and trustworthy system.  The development team believes that as a result of the two phase release schedule 5.00 will upon the publication of phase two be the most reliable and stable GIS product ever developed.

About manifold.net

manifold.net is a privately held company that creates cool data visualization and manipulation software. It is best known for Manifold System Release 4.50, one of the most sophisticated GIS software packages ever developed. It is unique in providing spatial, networking, geometric, database, and statistical GIS capabilities for only $145.   Release 5.00 continues the tradition of driving price down while driving quality and performance up in GIS markets.   manifold.net can afford to create software of unprecendented price/performance by using the software tools of the new millenium and by levering the power of Wintel, mass market standards and business methods.

Contact: Dimitri Rotow, 800-556-5919 / dar@manifold.net 

See Screen Shots of this product at the News page.

Manifold Net Ltd.
1945 North Carson Street
Suite 700
Carson City, NV 89701

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