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AutoDesk MapGuide- Frequently Asked Questions
Main - Info - Benefits - Evaluation - Purchase - Demos - FAQS - Support
What’s the difference between Autodesk MapGuide 6.5, MapGuide Open Source, and Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise?
How can existing Autodesk MapGuide 6.5 customers on subscription get Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise?
Can applications developed on Autodesk MapGuide 6.5 run on Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise?
Will Autodesk MapGuide 6.5 software continue to be available?
How is Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise different from Autodesk MapGuide 6.5?
Is DWF technology also available as open source?
Has Autodesk made other software available through open source?
Who should use MapGuide Open Source?
Why did Autodesk make MapGuide Open Source available as open source?
What’s the background of Autodesk’s involvement in open source?
Why is DWF format important?
What happened to Autodesk DWF Viewer? I used to use a different Autodesk viewer?
What’s Autodesk Design Review?
What’s a DWF file?
Does Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise support ColdFusion?
What level of interoperability can I expect between AutoCAD Map 3D and Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise?
Can Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise publish DWG files?
Can Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise use SDF 2.x files?
What is SDF?
What is FDO?
What spatial data formats are supported?
What are the system requirements for Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise?
What are some of the features of Autodesk MapGuide Studio?
What is Autodesk MapGuide Studio?
Who can use Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise?
What is the difference between the commercial and open source versions?
Is this open source software?
What are the main features of Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise?
What is Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise?

Do you have a question not covered here? Please contact us and we will be happy to answer it for you.

What’s the difference between Autodesk MapGuide 6.5, MapGuide Open Source, and Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise?







Autodesk MapGuide 6.5MapGuide Open SourceAutodesk MapGuide Enterprise 2008
Operating System Support WindowsWindows, LinuxWindows, Linux
Development Environment ColdFusion, JavaScript, XMLPHP, .NET, Java (JSP)PHP, .NET, Java (JSP)
Supported Data SourcesSDF, DWG, ESRI ArcInfo Coverage, Intergraph DGN, MapInfo Interchange (MIF and MID), ESRI Atlas BNA, comma-separated values (CSV), DXF™ files, Oracle, Microsoft® Access, numerous raster formats, and OLE DB-and ODBC-compatible databasesBasic FDO “providers” such as SDF, SHP, ESRI ArcSDE, WFS/WMS, ODBC, and MySQL, raster support Open source providers such as OGR, Post GIS, SL-King Oracle, and SQL Server providersAdditional FDO providers
Oracle Spatial, SQL Server, numerous raster formats
Support KeynetixKeynetix and from the CommunityKeynetix
LocalizationEnglish, French, Italian,German, JapaneseEnglish, JapaneseEnglish, French, Italian,German, Japanese
Viewing OptionsActiveX control, or Java-based viewer (works on Mac OS® X and Sun® platforms)DWF-based viewing of vector maps or pure viewing of raster maps using AJAXDWF-based viewing of vector maps or pure viewing of raster maps using AJAX
Licensing/Pricing Per server, per processor, per named userOpen sourceCommercial
Coordinate System SupportCoordinate System Mapping Library (CS-MAP) from Mentor SoftwarePROJ.4 Cartographic Projections LibraryCoordinate System Mapping Library (CS-MAP) from Mentor Software
Authoring ToolsSymbol Manager, Raster Workshop, Dynamic Authoring Toolkit, SDF LoaderAutodesk MapGuide StudioAutodesk MapGuide Studio
How can existing Autodesk MapGuide 6.5 customers on subscription get Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise?
For most customers who have developed applications on Autodesk MapGuide 6.5, the process to migrate to Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise may take place over time. You might want to port one application for use on Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise, while still using other applications on Autodesk MapGuide 6.5. To make your transition easier, here are a couple of options to consider:
  • If you need time to migrate your applications built on Autodesk MapGuide 6.5, you can maintain your Autodesk MapGuide 6.5 subscription and consider trying MapGuide Open Source or buying a new Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise subscription to evaluate application development on this new platform.
    MapGuide Open Source is free, and the pricing for Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise is designed to provide a very low barrier to entry.

  • If you are ready to migrate your existing applications to Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise and have an active Autodesk MapGuide 6.5 subscription, you can transfer to an Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise subscription for a small administration fee. Subscription transfers are made at your request; they do not happen automatically. If you transfer during the subscription term, Autodesk prorates the remaining value and applies this amount to the new Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise subscription.
Can applications developed on Autodesk MapGuide 6.5 run on Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise?
No. Because of fundamental differences in the product architectures and programming environments, existing applications built on Autodesk MapGuide 6.5 need to be rewritten to run on Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise. It is not possible to automatically migrate existing applications built on Autodesk MapGuide 6.5 for use with Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise.
Will Autodesk MapGuide 6.5 software continue to be available?
Yes. Autodesk has thousands of successful customers worldwide who use Autodesk MapGuide 6.5 to deliver maps and design data. Although Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise is the next evolution of Autodesk MapGuide technology, Autodesk does plan to continue selling Autodesk MapGuide 6.5 software and subscription. Subscription customers will continue to receive support and software updates (patches and bug fixes) if and when available pursuant to the terms of the Autodesk Subscription agreement.
How is Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise different from Autodesk MapGuide 6.5?
Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise is a different product, providing a powerful new architecture, different programming language support and viewing options, improved data access methods, and broader platform support. Some of the notable technical differences are as follows:

  • The server component of Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise runs on Linux as well as Windows. (Autodesk MapGuide 6.5 Server runs only on Windows.)

  • Applications are written using PHP, ASP.NET, or Java using a new API on the web tier instead of script code that calls the Autodesk MapGuide ActiveX control API on the client tier.

  • Viewing of Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise applications is provided by a DWF-based viewer or HTML viewer that renders raster-based maps.

  • Feature geometry in Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise is sent “across the wire” using a DWF-compatible formatinstead of CGM (Computer Graphics Metafile).

  • Use of new FDO technology provides access to a wide and expanding set of spatial and tabular data sources.

Is DWF technology also available as open source?
DWF™ files are vector-based files that ena ble users to pan, zoom, turn layers on and off, and plot from within a web browser or application enabled with the DWF file specification.

While not available as open source, the DWF format is an open format. Autodesk publishes a toolkit that enables developers to build applications that read or write multisheet 2D or 3D drawings in DWF format. Portions of the DWF Toolkit are also included in the MapGuide Open Source software, but the DWF file specification will continue to be managed by Autodesk.

The toolkit is available as a free* download with a simple license for developers who want to support DWF capabilities as part of their application. For more information on the DWF Toolkit, visit www.autodesk.com/dwftoolkit.
Has Autodesk made other software available through open source?
Yes. In addition to MapGuide Open Source, the following products – developed by contributed by Autodesk – are available as open source from OSGeo:

  • FDO (Feature Data Objects) Data Access Technology, which provides a powerful API (application programming interface) for accessing any type of spatial information

  • Several FDO providers, which provide access to specific files and databases such as SDF, SHP, ESRI® ArcSDE™, WFS/WMS, ODBC, and MySQL ® technology.


Autodesk will continue to evaluate its technology portfolio for other products and components that would thrive as open source projects and benefit the broader CAD, geospatial, or civil engineering industries.

There are no plans to release AutoCAD® software or other products based on AutoCAD as open source.
Who should use MapGuide Open Source?
MapGuide Open Source is of particular interest to the following types of users:

  • Developer and end-user organizations using proprietary web mapping technology who are concerned about the cost of initial licensing and ongoing support

  • Government agencies that are turning to, or mandated to use, open source technology and are seeking an open architecture for their geospatial solutions

  • Utilities and communications companies already using Linux® platforms and other open source technology to drive down their costs

  • Universities, nonprofit organizations, and small businesses with limited resources

Why did Autodesk make MapGuide Open Source available as open source?
Autodesk developers and customers had been requesting the following:

  • Faster innovation of web mapping solutions

  • More frequent software releases

  • Lower cost of entry and ownership


Autodesk wanted to help make map serving technologies more readily available for widespread adoption. Partnering with the MapServer community and making the next-generation web mapping platform available as open source was the best approach.
What’s the background of Autodesk’s involvement in open source?
In late 2005, a group of developers and individuals initiated discussions around the formation of a nonprofit foundation for open source geospatial software. These discussions, with community input and involvement, resulted in the formation the Open Source Geospatial Foundation™ (OSGeo™, www.osgeo.org) in early 2006.

Initial foundation activities included participation from several existing open source projects, including GDAL, GRASS, MapBender, MapBuilder, UMN MapServer, and MapGuide Open Source.

The Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to foster and support the ongoing development and promotion of open source geospatial technologies. It provides a common development environment and promotes community activities. The foundation also serves as an independent legal entity to which community members can contribute code and other resources, knowing their contributions will be maintained for public benefit.

In addition to helping organize the foundation, Autodesk has contributed its web mapping software to the open source community, which became the MapGuide Open Source project. The software is available under an open source license that benefits the open source web mapping community while balancing the business interests of Autodesk and Autodesk partners.
Why is DWF format important?
The use of DWF file specification with Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise provides the following features:

  • High-quality printing and plotting of maps

  • Offline map viewing capabilities

  • Printing of multisheet map books

What happened to Autodesk DWF Viewer? I used to use a different Autodesk viewer?
Autodesk Design Review 2008 contains the full functionality of Autodesk® DWF™ Viewer software (plus a lot more), all available as a free* download. As such, Design Review 2008 replaces the Autodesk DWF Viewer. If you still want to use Autodesk DWF Viewer 7, you can download the software from the DWF Community site within Services & Support / Data & Downloads.

*Free products are subject to the terms and conditions of the end-user license agreement that accompanies download of the software.
What’s Autodesk Design Review?
Autodesk Design Review software helps save time and money with easy-to-use tools for team members to review, mark up, and revise maps and designs electronically. This free* tool is tightly integrated with most Autodesk design software and enables project teams to move to a two-way design review process and gain timesaving functionality in their markup and approval processes. Specific timesaving functionality includes the following:


  • Intuitive measure, markup, and annotation tools

  • DWF and DWG file viewing, plotting, and publishing

  • Ability to combine project data such as images and specifications in a single file

  • Powerful status tracking to manage engineering change orders

  • Round-trip markup integration with Autodesk design software, so designers can overlay changes and comments on the original computer-aided design (CAD)file.

Autodesk Design Review is available as both a stand-alone application and as an ActiveX® control embedded in Microsoft Internet Explorer. Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise can use Design Review software to display and print maps and spatial information. Autodesk Design Review can also be used offline for measure and markup purposes. The AJAX Viewer option provided by Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise does not include or require Autodesk Design Review.
What’s a DWF file?
A DWF file is a vector-based file that enable users to pan, zoom, turn layers on and off, and plot from within a web browser or DWF-enabled application.

DWF allows non-technical users to easily view and print 2D and 3D drawings, maps, and models. Only DWF technology is purpose-built for distributing CAD and GIS files so the fidelity and intelligence of maps and designs can be communicated securely, including layers, scale, and object properties. Often at 1/10 the size of other formats, DWF files are easy to distribute, post, and share online.
Does Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise support ColdFusion?
Adobe’s Macromedia ® ColdFusion® software is one of many development tools that can be used with Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise. Many Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise users have used ColdFusion to build reporting or other functions into their application. Those familiar with ColdFusion can continue to use it. Other programming languages offer several advantages that are worth considering.
What level of interoperability can I expect between AutoCAD Map 3D and Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise?
You can easily share AutoCAD and AutoCAD Map 3D DWG files with Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise, including FDO-based Display Manager maps. Use Autodesk MapGuide Studio to publish the AutoCAD Map 3D DWG file as a DWF or SDF file. If you are publishing to DWF format, you need to supply some information regarding which Display Manager elements or maps should be used for stylizing the DWG file. If you are publishing to SDF, the style definition is translated (as much as possible) to the Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise Server style equivalents.
Can Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise publish DWG files?
Yes. DWG™ files are transformed on the fly to either DWF or SDF+ format by Studio and uploaded to the Server.
Can Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise use SDF 2.x files?
Yes. The Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise server supports/reads SDF version 3.0, while the Autodesk MapGuide® 6.5 server supports/reads SDF version 2.x.. To use SDF 2.x data files in Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise, you can use Studio to convert the SDF from 2.x to 3.0, and then upload the SDF file to the Server.
What is SDF?
SDF (spatial data format) is an Autodesk term that identifies the next generation/version of the SDF format. SDF is an Autodesk file format that is used to store GIS features. An SDF file contains primarily a list of features (points, polylines, and polygons). In addition to the geometry coordinate data, each feature has these three attributes: name, key, and URL entry. SDF supports a mechanism that allows a feature to be quickly “looked up” based on either its key or spatial location.

SDF supports general attributes beyond the three specific attributes supported by the SDF format. The .sdf file extension will continue to be used for new SDF files.
What is FDO?
Feature Data Object (FDO) Data Access Technology is the mechanism that enables Autodesk Geospatial products and enterprise applications to work natively with spatial data stored in relational databases, files, and web services. FDO technology is included in Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise, MapGuide Open Source, AutoCAD Map 3D, AutoCAD® Civil 3D®, and Autodesk® Topobase™ software products.
What spatial data formats are supported?
Using FDO Data Access Technology, Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise takes advantage of data from the following:

  • Oracle9i (R2) and Oracle Database 10g (R1 and R2)

  • Microsoft SQL Server

  • ArcSDE® 9 on Oracle and SQL Server

  • SDF+

  • MySQL™

  • ESRI® ArcView™ SHP

  • ODBC

  • WMS/WFS

  • Multiple raster formats

What are the system requirements for Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise?
Viewer

Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise offers two viewer technologies: A DWF-based viewer and an AJAX viewer.


  • The DWF-based viewer supports Windows® 2000 (SP4), Windows XP Professional and Home Editions, and Internet Explorer® 6 and later.

  • The AJAX viewer uses Asynchronous JavaScript and XML to deliver maps and spatial data to the browser. It does not require a plug-in and supports most browsers, including Internet Explorer, Firefox®, and Safari™ browsers.



Server



  • Linux®: Red Hat® Enterprise Linux Version 4

  • Microsoft® Windows®: Windows Server® 2003 (SP1 or SP2) or Windows 2000 Server (SP4)

  • Windows XP Professional may be used for demonstration purposes, but it is not a supported server platform. IIS on Windows XP supports a limited number of HTTP connections and is not recommended for this reason. Apache is the recommended web server if you choose to use Windows XP for demonstration purposes.


Web Server


  • Apache HTTP Server 2.0

  • Microsoft IIS 5.0 on Windows 2000

  • Microsoft IIS 6.0 on Windows Server 2003
    • Application Development FDO (Feature Data Object)
  • PHP 5.2.1 (Windows or Linux)

  • .NET Framework 2.0 (optional, Windows only)

  • Java JDK 5.0 and the Tomcat Servlet engine
    version 5.5.1.2 (optional, Windows or Linux)



FDO Component Version

  • FDO 3.2.2
What are some of the features of Autodesk MapGuide Studio?
Autodesk MapGuide Studio provides a developer-friendly authoring environment that puts files and resources close at hand, and provides the ability to preview the application as you are creating it. With Autodesk MapGuide Studio, users can

  • Perform all aspects of authoring a site, from uploading data files and connecting to databases to creating maps, remotely over the web

  • Automatically create thematic rules based on attributes in the geospatial data

  • Preview each resource as it is being created, including layers, maps, and the viewer layout

  • Load many common file formats, including SDF, SHP, DWG, and raster formats

  • Use intuitive .NET-compatible API to automate common tasks such as load, move, rename, and delete.

  • Manage server-side resources, from altering access permissions to defining Open Geospatial metadata

  • Integrate business logic written in PHP, ASP.NET, or Java directly into the application and preview it in Autodesk MapGuide Studio

  • Create a single application that works with both the DWF-based viewer and the AJAX viewer

  • Create and manage symbol libraries

    • What is Autodesk MapGuide Studio?
    Autodesk MapGuide® Studio software is the authoring environment for Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise. It handles all aspects of integrating and preparing geospatial data for distribution on the Internet. Modeled after popular web development tools, Studio provides a unified environment that enables you to rapidly create spatial applications using a developer-friendly interface.
    Who can use Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise?
    Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise benefits any organization that needs to integrate and distribute maps and spatial information inside or outside their organization. Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise helps users develop, manage, and distribute GIS (geographical information systems) and design applications on the Internet or an intranet, broadening access to crucial geospatial and digital design data.
    What is the difference between the commercial and open source versions?
    Both versions share the majority of core functionality. The open source version benefits from the general characteristics of collaborative software development: multiple contributors, faster innovation, and low cost of ownership.
    The commercial version offers the following added value:



    • Additional quality assurance. Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise is the quality assured version of the open source software, and has been subjected to commercial test engineering processes by Autodesk.

    • Formal support. Organizations hosting mission-critical applications need more support than an open source community can typically offer. These organizations can choose from different levels of support offered by Autodesk.
      Organizations using

    • Connectivity to Oracle® and SQL Server™ Databases.Organizations using commercial-grade database systems benefit from robust access to their data stores.

    • Third-party components. Components such as the Mentor coordinate system make application development easier and give users greater compatibility with other Autodesk® products that share those components.


    • Increased data and application integration. A shared coordinate system and API offers integration with AutoCAD® Map 3D and other Autodesk products.

    • Localized versions. Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise is available in English, French, German, Italian, and Japanese. While localized versions may be available through open source, the commercial versions have been thoroughly tested and are available with commercial support.

    Is this open source software?
    Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise software is commercial software, a yearly subscription is paid.

    It's sister product is MapGuide Open Source, available from the Open Source Geospatial Foundation (OSGeo) at mapguide.osgeo.org, which has substantially the same functionality as Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise.

    Keynetix and KeySpatial supports both products.
    What are the main features of Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise?
    Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise helps users develop and deploy web-based applications that quickly and easily distribute spatial and design data. Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise features include the following:

    • Linux and Microsoft Windows platform support

    • Server-side programming and application delivery using PHP, ASP.NET, or Java/JSP

    • Plug-in access for new data sources without requiring a recompile of the core server

    • Support for simultaneous connections (parallel or simultaneous queries) to multiple database servers, residing locally or on Linux or Windows systems accessible via the network.

    • Built-in access-based security model to support delivery of your data or application to authorized users only

    • Scalability: Ability to add servers that provide specific services, such as raster map rendering as well as ability to take full advantage of multiprocessor architectures

    • Choice of two viewing tools supporting either vector-based or raster-based maps

    • Support for portable viewing applications using “disconnected” mode

    • Opportunity to customize viewing using the Autodesk® Design Review 2008 API(application programming interface)
    What is Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise?
    Autodesk MapGuide® Enterprise software is Autodesk’s web mapping platform. It enables developers to rapidly develop and deploy valuable spatial applications. It works with the latest PHP, .NET, and Java® tools to quickly build powerful applications for Microsoft® Windows® or Linux® server environments. Developers can also easily distribute geospatial and design information internally, over the web, or using Autodesk’s DWF™ viewing technology for offline portability. Applications built using Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise give users, internal teams, and the public a faster, easier, and more flexible way to query, analyze, and view crucial spatial information.
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