TIN Triangulated Irregular Network. A method of creating a surface from point data in the vector data model. The TIN is created from an arbitrary distribution of points joined to form triangles. Attribute values for a point anywhere in the model can then be interpolated . The relationships in spatial terms between connected or adjacent geographical objects.
Topology is used to apply intelligence to data held in the vector data model.
For example, topological information stored for an arc might include the polygon to its left and right, and the nodes to which it is connected. Vector Data A data model based on the representation of geographical object by Cartesian co- ordinates, commonly used to represent linear features. Each feature is represented by a series of co- ordinates which define its shape, and which can have linked information. More sophisticated vector data models include topology.