2008 February 13 Archive at What is special about Geospatial?

ESRI ArcGIS 9.3 is currently under development. The beta version is out now and the release is expected for Q3 2008. Following improvements for the new version are planned:

ArcGIS Desktop:

Desktop Core
- Enhanced editing of z values
- Fixed Support issues identified as crashes / data corruption and functional errors
- Documentation Enhancements
- SDK Enhancements
- Better Support for ArcGIS online
Cartographic Representation
- New geometric effects
- New marker placement styles
- Improved Carto Rep editing tools
- Export to XML / CAD (shape vs. representation)
Labeling
- More Control over Polygon labeling
- Vertical text placement
- Contour labeling
- Better aut-leadering to help with unplaced labels
- Support geological maps
- River labeling improvements
- Handle holes in polygons
- Boundary labeling improvements
Geodatabase
- Improved access to the Geodatabase (including PostGIS support)
- Improved conflict and change detection management
- Distributed Geodatabases
- Raster /Images (more tools and formats)
- Core database quality improvements
3D Analysis
- Improved support for KML 2.0 and KML 2.1
- Additional GP tools
- Add 3D analysis/geometry operations for developers
ArcGIS Schematics
- Add and enhance builders and rules to automate processes
- Add and enhance layout algorithms to facilitate diagram layouts
- Create new geo-processing tools to automate workflows
- Add new features or enhancements for ease diagram creation and update
Network Analyst
- Global Turn Evaluators / Funktion Evaluator
- VRP (Vehicle Routing Problem) solver
- Faster Shortest Path Algorithm
- Incremental OD cost matrix computation
Spatial Analyst
- Fill tool improvements
- Spline with Barriers
- New contur tool