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ASPRS Recap
Marc Cheves, LS
The opportunity to attend the recent American Society of Photogrammetry
and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) conference in Anchorage, Alaska,
reminded me once again what a beautiful world we live in! From
roadside glaciers to crab feasts to evenings that stay light
until well after 10 PM, we barely scratched the surface of what
Alaska has to offer.
Nearly 1,300 people attended the conference, and even though
the location caused a reduction from the usual ±2,000
attendees, exhibitors were quite pleased with the turnout. Something
that caught my eye (again) at the show was the introduction
of a new digital aerial camera by Vexcel Austria. Joining Leica,
Z/I Imaging, and the Emerge D.S.S. system, the single thing
that impresses me the most about these cameras is the outstanding
quality of the imagery. (You can find a review of the Emerge
system—Component-built Aerial Sensor Means Imagery for Everyone—in
the October 2002 issue of Professional Surveyor Magazine by
visiting the Archives at www.profsurv.com) Unlike traditional
film imagery that must be scanned to make it digital, the imagery
from digital cameras actually contains more information; it
allows users to “see into the shadows.” For the acquisition
of aerial imagery, sun angle plays a big part, not only in scheduling
flights, but also in how shadowed areas affect the usefulness
of the final basemaps. With digital imagery, the ability to
utilize shadowed areas is dramatically improved. And eliminating
the scanning process eliminates much of the graininess—referred
to as noise—which results from scanning.
Given the ongoing orthophoto quad programs, and the coming increase
in aerial imagery that will result from homeland security needs,
I believe we will see a move away from film imagery. Of course,
flyers will pay a high price for the cost of going digital,
and I’m sure that the move away from a film-based workflow will
be incremental. The planet has hundreds of aerial flyers, and
even though approximately 80 of them in the U.S. have added
LiDAR to their products, less than 15 companies worldwide have
made the huge investment necessary to move to digital cameras.
Even so, it’s only a matter of time before the photogrammetry
that is so essential to much of the geospatial industry will
benefit from digital imagery.
Here are some of the products that were on display in Anchorage:
BAE Systems displayed its SOCET SET suite of software. Capabilities
of the suite include multiple source imagery, multi-sensor triangulation,
digital terrain models, 3D feature extraction, orthophoto and
mosaic generation, and visualization. Other products included
ClearFlite for identifying and collecting vertical obstructions
in and around airfields, VITec ELT and VITec PC for image exploitation,
VITec Visual Coverage for management of image archives, and
SOCETsim for the creation of 3D buildings and terrain using
stereo imagery.
Boeing Autometric displayed several of its products, including
SoftPlotter 4.0, its softcopy workstation software. The software
performs triangulation, stereo model creation, DTM generation,
orthophoto production, vector mapping and contour generation.
Also shown was its EDGE Viewer for 2D, 3D and 4D environment
visualization. EDGE modules include Whole Earth, ImageScape,
TerrainScape and Vector Manager. Also displayed was Kork Digital
Mapping System (KDMS) and Kork Digital Stereo Plotter (KDSP).
KDMS 13 incoporates a diverse collection of enhancements specifically
designed to maximize vector collection productivity, and KDSP
bridges the gap between traditional analytical stereoplotters
and modern softcopy workstations.
Cardinal Systems displayed its Vr Mapping suite of software.
Included are VrOne for vector collection and editing with digital
terrain modeling and image display capability; VrTwo for stereo
viewing, collection and editing; VrOrtho for standalone digital
orthophoto production; VrAirTrig and VrAlbany for the collection
a d processing of aerial triangulation data; and VrMosaic for
mosaicking, combining and balancing orthophoto sheets.
DAT/EM displayed its Summit Evolution digital photogrammetric
workstation for 3D feature collection directly into AutoCAD
or Microstation. Modules include Capture, a stereo plotter interface,
and Map/Editor for batch file editing. Compatibility is extended
to GeoToolbox partner INPHO’s (who shared the booth with DAT/EM)
DTM product, Match-T. DAT/EM also displayed its Super/Imposition
module, a powerful graphics aid that makes digital mapping more
efficient, as well as its Capture Contour, which automatically
creates contour lines from DTM or mass points.
Definiens Imaging displayed its e-Cognition image classification
and feature extraction software. The software classifies objects
rather than single pixels by fusing data from multiple data
sources. These objects are created using e-Cognition’s unique
multiresolution segmentation technology. This technology enables
the creation of homogeneous image objects and the generation
of a network of image objects. The object’s attributes can then
be used for subsequent classification by one of three methods:
sample-based, knowledge-based fuzzy, and manual. Other tools
include automation and export.
Emerge displayed its digital ortho products, OrthoMosaic, OrthoFrame
and DigitalStereo. OrthoMosaic assembles images into an orthorectified,
seamless and radiometrically-balanced image map. Both linear
and area modes of collection are available. OrthoFrame is for
projects that only require individual digital images. In addition
to linear and area modes, point target features can also be
collected. DigitalStereo delivers stereo pairs along with GPS
position points, IMU orientation data and camera model information
so the imagery can be imported into most softcopy analytical
programs. Also displayed was the Emerge Digital Sensor System
(DSS) medium-format aerial digital camera. The affordable system
will gather color and color infrared imagery with ground sample
distances ranging from 0.1 meters to 1 meter. The system is
ideal for corridor projects and medium-sized orthophoto projects.
Direct georeferencing is provided by an Applanix POS AV system.
ESRI displayed its ArcGIS Spatial Analyst for advanced GIS spatial
analysis using raster and vector data. The software will perform
surface analysis, terrain analysis, and overlay vectors on rasters.
It allows users to create, query, and analyze cell-based raster
maps; derive new information from existing data; query information
across multiple data layers, and fully integrate cell-based
raster data with traditional vector data sources. Data can be
imported from a variety of sources, and platforms include Windows
NT and Windows 2000.
Intermap displayed several of its products, including its DEM
product. Based on IFSAR, the models have post spacing of 5 or
10 meters, and vertical accuracies ranging from 50cm to 3m.
In addition to the radar-derived product, DEMs can also be generated
from aerial imagery or LiDAR data, typically providing accuracies
approaching 10cm. Also displayed was STARPlus imagery from ImageLinks.
This product combines IFSAR with Landsat TM optical data and
preserves multispectral information while providing accuracies
of better than 3m.
Kodak displayed its wide range of aerial films, including Aerocolor
III negative film 2444, Aerochrome III infrared film 1443, Double-X
Xerographic film 2405, and Aeroclor film SO-846, and its integrated
line of processors, film handling equipment and checmicals.
Also displayed were the products of another Kodak company, Research
Systems, which displayed its ENVI 3.6. This product offers support
for new image types, has new information extraction tools, and
new raster and vector displays. The software handles a variety
of data types, including radar, panchromatic, multi spectral,
hyper spectral, thermal and more. Other features include the
ability to radiometrically calibrate Quickbird data, georectify
SPOT imagery, and detect change.
Optech displayed its latest airborne laser terrain mapper, the
ALTM 30/70. The new unit offers coverage rates as high at 70KHz
at 1,500 meters, and can fly as high as 3,000 meters with coverage
rates as high as 33KHz. Die to its single-chassis design, the
unit is smaller, lighter and easier to install in a variety
of aircraft. Additional options for the ALTM 30/70 include a
4K x 4K integrated metric frame camera for geo-referenced color
or color-infrared images with sub-pixel accuracy. Also displayed
was ALTM-NAV flight management software and REALM Survey Suite
for processing both GPS and ALTM laser point data.
PCI Geomatics displayed its new Geomatica 9 software. New features
include improved hyper spectral technology, new compression
capabilities, added GIS strength, atmospheric correction, new
pan sharpening, the latest development in WebServer technology
for sharing information over the Internet, and stronger tools
for advanced spatial analysis. It also provides supports for
JPEG 2000 and SPOT5 formats. A completely integrated solution,
the software provides a seamless “all-in-one” environment for
remote sensing, GIS, photogrammetry and cartographic processing.
Vexcel Imaging Austria introduced its new UltraCam-D large format
aerial RGB and near- infrared digital camera. The cost of the
system is comparable to that of a conventional film camera.
Just as consumer digital cameras have eliminated the need to
limit the number of exposures due to processing and printing
costs, aerial digital cameras have allowed users to increase
the number of exposures, thereby providing more forward overlap
and greater redundancy. Distributed parallel sensing is achieved
with a set of 8 optical cones. 13 area array CCDs collect pixels,
and each CCD feeds into its own processing and storage component.
A Master Cone defines the single image coordinate system. The
Storage and Control unit contains 15 CPU, and pre-processing
can begin during the flight if desired. The result is an 11,500
x 7,500 pixel image, improved radiometric range with 12-bit
per pixel data (as opposed to 8 bits derived from scanned film
pixels), and reduced noise when compared to traditional film
scanning.
Visual Learning Systems displayed its Feature Analyst feature
extraction software. Available as a plug-in for ArcView, Arc
GIS and Eras Imagine, the software reduces labor costs through
automation, improves accuracy over hand digitizing, and has
a simple user interface that requires no image processing expertise.
Uses include forestry, state and local governments, natural
resources, and small feature capture such as manhole covers,
telephone and power poles, and guardrails.
Z/I Imaging displayed its data acquisition, softcopy production
and TerraShare image management and distribution solutions.
Its complete digital workflow includes mission planning, sensor
management, digital imagery, photogrammetric software and a
client/server image management, storage and distribution system.
On view was gorgeous Alaskan imagery—at ground sample distance
accuracies of three inches to 1.5 feet—acquired with the Z/I
DMC digital aerial camera, both in post-processed state or as
a 3D model processed with ImageStation software. The company
also announced that it will integrate the latest 3Dlabs
Wildcat 4 graphics accelerator into ImageStation for high-level
3D performance.
Marc Cheves is Editor of Professional Surveyor Magazine
and Managing Editor of EOM.
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