Data can now be extracted and entered into a Geographic Information System. While transferring from one medium to the other your concern should be minimizing data loss or erroneous georeferencing. Those who will be extracting the information should familiarize themselves with the model as annotated in the process documentation. They should be fully familiar with its attributes summarized in the legend in the form of scale, symbols and the definitions used. Stakeholder representatives should participate in the extraction process.

So far, two methods have been experimented at the community level. In both cases, referencing relies on the presence of the grid.

One technique makes use of transparent plastic sheets. While simple and easily accessible to anybody, the method carries the risk of generating errors due to the fact that in most cases the plastic sheets were not placed on a plane surface, but adhered to the grid which in turn followed the relief of the model.

Attempts made in placing the grid above the model on a plane surface by using Plexiglas or a wooden frame, and later on extracting the information with the combined use of a laser pen fixed together with color-coded markers, proved to be tedious and hurt the eyes of those involved.

Hence, high resolution digital photography combined with on-screen digitizing has been identified as a promising way forward.