The MathWorks today released , a MATLAB toolbox that enables users to access geospatial data, build and manipulate map displays, and analyze geospatial data within MATLAB. It offers access to a broader range of geospatial data, including standard GIS formats, georeferenced imagery, terrain data, specific data products and simple ad-hoc data files . In addition, it includes new 2-D and 3-D map display tools and a new interactive map viewer that allows users to create and modify maps without relying on command line functions. Pricing starts at $900.

The Mapping Toolbox 2 features improvements in a number of areas, particularly for the inclusion of GIS data and georeferenced imagery. The toolbox now supports additional data formats, including ESRI shapefiles, GeoTIFF files, World files for spatially registered images, Arc ASCII Grid, and SDTS Raster Profile. New functions for vector symbolization based on feature attributes offer easy manipulation of the display properties of vector data structures. New support for projections includes the Transverse Mercator projection and improved accuracy of several projections using the PROJ.4 library.