| PCI Geomatics Supports Orthorectification of IKONOS imagery in OrthoEngine® Version 7.0
PCI Geomatics is pleased to announcd the ability to orthorectify IKONOS 1 and 4 meter data. This development will allow OrthoEngine users to process Geo product IKONOS data using the IKONOS module to the same standards of accuracy available from the Precision IKONOS data - all at a lower cost and in less time.
The IKONOS satellite (launched in September 1999) by Space Imaging™ is the world's first commercial satellite offering high-resolution imagery. The IKONOS sensor suite is capable of generating 1-m panchromatic and 4-m multi-band images with off-nadir viewing up-to-60¼ in any azimuth for a better revisit rate and stereo capabilities.
OrthoEngine uses a satellite model developed by Dr. Thierry Toutin at Canada Centre for Remote Sensing (CCRS), Natural Resources Canada. The model approach used is similar to that used with other optical satellites and has been shown to produce outstanding results.
Other popular features contained within PCI Geomatics' OrthoEngine include the ability to generate DEMs from stereo air photos and imagery from a large list of Optical and Radar Satellites. The stereo capabilities of OrthoEngine support 3-D visualization, DEM editing, and feature extraction. OrthoEngine's manual and automatic mosaicking tools add the power to create seamless mosaics of multiple images.
For more information, visit the PCI Geomatics web site at www.pcigeomatics.com.
ESRI Mid-Atlantic User Group Conference
The ESRI Mid-Atlantic User Group (ESRI-MUG) announced that it will hold its tenth annual GIS conference October 16 - 18, 2000, at the Loews L'Enfant Plaza Hotel, 480 L'Enfant Plaza, S.W., Washington, D.C. There is direct access to the hotel from Washington's Metro rail system at the L'Enfant Plaza metro stop and the hotel is a short walk from the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) station. Capitol Hill, the Smithsonian museums, and National Monuments are a short walk from the hotel as well. October 16th will be devoted to three all-day training seminars (Managing GIS, ArcView Basics, and Avenue Basics). Conference sessions will follow on October 17th and 18th.
For more information or to register, visit the ESRI-MUG web site (www.esrimug.org), or contact Peter Godfrey at (215) 636-0600 [email protected].
EagleScan/3Di Maps Los Alamos Fire Site for Disaster Mitigation
In preparation for Northern New Mexico's summer monsoon season, over 120 square miles of the Cerro Grande Fire burn area have been topographically mapped using Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) technology by EagleScan/3Di (Boulder, Colorado) for potential disaster mitigation. Normally, flooding is not a major concern for the Los Alamos area, but with the protective vegetative cover burned to the ground and high concentrations of hydrophobic ash remaining, the 48,000-acre site of forests and canyons runs the risk of environmental damage, including possible erosion and mudslides from heavy flooding. The high-resolution, high-accuracy LIDAR Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data already collected and being post-processed by EagleScan/3Di will provide officials with unsurpassed topographic detail to support mitigation efforts.
Hydrologists, civil engineers, environmentalists and foresters from the private sector, as well as the Federal and local agencies that make up the area's Multi-Agency Coordinating (MAC) Team, can use the data as input to engineering models and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). "Monitoring the landform changes that will most likely occur following flood water erosion is a concern for all the agencies involved because there are so many factors to consider in this area. We wanted to make sure baseline data was available before the rains start in order to establish a topographic foundation for each agency's work," said Verlin Fisher, Vice President of EagleScan/3Di. Runoff from floodwaters is a potential danger in some of the canyons near the Los Alamos National Lab area.
Using GIS technology, modeling can be very effective in disaster mitigation. Modeling can help planners identify high-risk areas and expedite the environmental safety and evacuation processes. Modeling also allows disaster managers to identify the scope of a disaster, what environmental factors pose the greatest danger, what population areas and property are at highest risk, and what response resources are required. "GIS gives quick access to a variety of data and a visual understanding of what could happen," said Fisher. "With an impeding disaster, predicting risk in real-time can save lives." Remote Sensing products like high accuracy DEM's generated from LIDAR terrain mapping provide a solid data anchor for the GIS. Agencies involved in the mitigation effort include the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Forestry Services and the National Park Service. The fire area is comprised of land owned by various Federal agencies, an Indian Reservation, the Los Alamos National Laboratory facility and a large amount of privately owned land. "EagleScan took the initiative to collect the LIDAR data to assist in the coordination efforts among agencies," said Fisher. "This is a complex situation. They're dealing with nuclear facilities, forest areas and a town site. We needed to make sure this fundamental data was collected and processed before the rains begin." EagleScan/3Di collected data from over 120 square miles of the burn area and the City of Los Alamos. Using their proprietary Digital Airborne Topographical Imaging System (DATIS(tm)), DEM data was collected with an accuracy of 15 cm RMSE (Root Mean Squared Error) vertical and 1 m RMSE horizontal. "While satellite imagery has already provided a bird's eye view of the fire's path of destruction, our data will help provide a baseline to assess how the land may change. Our accuracies are more than sufficient for reliable modeling and GIS planning, " said Fisher.
For more information visit EagleScan on the Internet at www.eaglescan.com or 3Di at www.3dillc.com, or contact: EagleScan Remote Sensing, Verlin Fisher, Vice President [email protected], 303.473.9100, extension 19
GDT and ORBIMAGE AGREE TO PURSUE JOINT DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Geographic Data Technology, Inc., a developer of premier map databases, announced that they are actively pursuing an opportunity to integrate their product line with the products of high-resolution imagery provider ORBIMAGE. As part of the proposed arrangement, the companies will immediately begin marketing each other's products. Further, GDT and ORBIMAGE would be able to access one another's products for use in their respective internal production environments. The proposed arrangement would also facilitate the close integration of vector, e.g. digital mapping, data and imagery, thus allowing the creation of intelligent images that combine the visual appeal and accuracy of imagery with the detailed attribution information contained in GDT's street database products.
Both companies already provide data through ESRI's new Geography Network, a global Internet community of geographic information users and providers. Users who want to combine GDT data with ORBIMAGE imagery will eventually be able to do so by purchasing from either company or from the Geography Network.
For more information, contact: [email protected] or: [email protected]
ESRI's Geography Network Goes Live!
ESRI announced the launch of the Geography Network, a collaborative and multi-participant system for publishing, sharing, and using digital geographic information on the Internet.
The Geography Network can be thought of as a large online library of distributed GIS information, available to everyone. It has been designed to adhere to open standards for the dissemination and sharing of data and services. Professional users can connect to the Geography Network and directly use the data and application services provided by other participants. Data can be shared and integrated using a wide spectrum of simple to advanced GIS and visualization software technologies. GIS browser software on the Geography Network allows users to freely visualize, query, and analyze data. GIS software can also be used to connect one or more sites at the same time and using the techniques of digital map overlay and visualization, users can simultaneously combine and analyze many types of data from different sources.
The Geography Network is an open system designed using industry standards and protocols. It serves as a test bed for data providers and the Open GIS Consortium. The Geography Network is designed for GIS users who wish to share and disseminate their data; discover and use other people's data by searching the metadata catalog; provide applications, such as location and mapping capabilities; and sell data and applications.
Geography Network users will be able to access online tools that allow them to define an area of interest and search for specific geographic content. A secondary menu will guide the user to mapping services and geographic data that are available for the selected study area. This will not only eliminate the need for the protracted Web searches currently required to find the data needed for a project but will also make the content immediately accessible online.
Hundreds of data layers are currently available through the Geography Network. Worldwide offerings include political, elevation, vegetation, land use, socioeconomic statistics, and satellite imagery, to name a few. U.S. data includes administrative boundaries, detailed streets, topographic maps, natural hazards, environmental hazards, demographic statistics, crime statistics, aerial photography, and much more.
For more information, visit the Geography Network site at www.GeographyNetwork.com.
LIZARDTECH SHIPS LATEST MrSID GEOVIEWER
LizardTech Inc., a leader in imaging technologies, announced the release of its MrSID¨ GeoViewer 2.1 software product. MrSID GeoViewer 2.1 allows users to display, explore and work with imagery in MrSID format. MrSID is a wavelet-based imaging technology that allows up to a 95 percent file size reduction while maintaining geometric accuracy and providing for real-time viewing, panning and printing of massive-sized imagery, including files larger than a gigabyte. This latest upgrade of GeoViewer expands the capabilities of the free MrSID technology for viewing and working with MrSID images. The MrSID GeoViewer is available for free from LizardTech's Web site at www.lizardtech.com. Decoder Software Developers Kits (SDK's) are also available at the Web site.
Enhancements in MrSID GeoViewer 2.1 include faster zooming and panning capabilities, the ability to view, save and print MrSID metadata and export to TIFF, GeoTIFF, TFW and TAB formats. These latest improvements will also allow users to take full advantage of the most up-to-date high-resolution technology from satellite, remote sensing and aerial image providers. The MrSID GeoViewer utilizes LizardTech's patented "Selective Decompression" technology to display only the quality and portion of the MrSID image that the user wishes to view. This allows for real-time display of imagery that previously took minutes or even hours to compute using other imaging formats.
"We are continually improving the MrSID GeoViewer technology to support the growing needs of the geospatial community," said John. R. Grizz Deal, LizardTech's president and CEO. "Since MrSID is the standard imaging technology for the Geospatial market, providing free viewers allows more users to reap the benefits of high resolution imagery."
MrSID GeoViewer 2.1 Technology at a glance:
• Easily open and display MrSID images on any 8, 16, or 24-bit screen.
• Real time pan and zoom.
• View, save and print MrSID metadata.
• Export any part of the image to TIFF at any resolution with accompanying world file (.TFW).
• Full image overview.
• Tool for measuring distances.
• "Lens" tool provides full-resolution view instantly.
• "Snap" tool captures image to clipboard for easy copying and pasting.
• "Ruler" tool displays coordinates and pixel size of mouse location.
• Fully-functional online help.
• Windows® 95/98/2000 and NT® 4.0 support
For more information, visit www.lizardtech.com. LizardTech Europe is located in the Netherlands and can be contacted at: LizardTech Europe B.V., Hullenbergweg 379- 5th/6th Floor, 1101 CR Amsterdam Z.O., Netherlands. Phone: (31) 20 365 69 60, Technical Support (31) 20 365 69 61, e-mail: [email protected].
ERDAS Releases IMAGINE Subpixel Classifier 8.4
ERDAS, Inc., announced the release of IMAGINE Subpixel Classifier for ERDAS IMAGINE 8.4. Developed by Applied Analysis Inc. (Billerica, MA) exclusively for ERDAS, IMAGINE Subpixel Classifier 8.4 is a fully compatible add-on application to ERDAS IMAGINE that provides greater flexibility in working with spectral signatures, and automates many procedures to speed the classification process. IMAGINE Subpixel Classifier is available on Windows 98, Windows NT 4.0, Sun Solaris 2.6 and 7.0,and IRIX 6.5 platforms.
The new Automatic Signature Derivation module automatically selects the best set of signature parameters. A Signature Combiner merges signatures into families that better reflect diversity in the material of interest. A Multiple Signature Classifier will classify images using signature families, and a Signature Evaluation and Refinement process helps users refine a signature for better scene-to-scene performance.
"The new signature tools allow users to easily create high-performing signatures without a great deal of trial and error, meaning quicker and more accurate classifications," said Ian Anderson, product manager for ERDAS IMAGINE.
IMAGINE Subpixel Classifier is a multispectral imagery exploitation tool that detects materials that occupy less than 100% of a pixel, provides an estimate of the amount of material present, and is capable of classifying materials contributing as little as 20% of a pixel's reflectance value. IMAGINE Subpixel Classifier automates environmental correction procedures, thereby eliminating time-consuming, user-intensive processes.
For more information, contact ERDAS at 404-248-9000, toll free: +1 877-GO ERDAS (463-7327), or visit www.erdas.com
Merrick Wins Contract
Merrick & Company, Aurora, Colorado announced the firm has been awarded a contract with Henrico County, Virginia to provide GIS Application Services. Under the contract, Merrick is customizing its Tracker Application to allow Henrico County the tools to input, track and manage completed projects for data maintenance updates. Additionally, Los Alamos National Laboratory (Los Alamos, NM) has retained Merrick to create GIS and LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) databases. These databases will be used to support in the recovery efforts of the Cerro Grande Fire for evaluating the magnitude of erosion, sedimentation and run-off that will affect the area. Both color digital orthophotography and elevation models will be provided for an area covering 321 square miles.
For more information, contact Merrick at fax 303-745-0964
GITA to Host Mobile Pavilion at its Annual Conference XXIV
The Geospatial Information & Technology Association (GITA) announced the addition of a Mobile Pavilion to its exhibition floor, set to debut at GITA's Annual Conference XXIV, scheduled for March 4-7, 2001, in San Diego, California.
The pavilion will house a variety of hardware, software, and service providers that serve the fast-growing field data technology sector. Mobile vendors will share a large, common booth space, which will give visiting exhibition attendees the convenience of one-stop shopping for mobile and field computing devices and related services. The pavilion concept is the brainchild of a focus group that met at GITA's Annual Conference XXIII, held in Denver this past March. A dozen vendors involved in the mobile industry conceived the idea to collectively showcase the latest innovations in field computing hardware, software, and services, creating one of the industry's largest and most comprehensive mobile-specific exhibits.
More information on the Mobile Pavilion can be obtained by calling GITA headquarters at 303-337-0513, e-mail [email protected].
Optech Introduces 3D Imaging System for Surveying Market
Optech, a leader in the development, manufacture and sale of advanced electro-optic instrumentation, has introduced ILRIS-3D, a complete 3D imaging and digitizing system for use in the commercial survey and industrial markets. A compact and highly integrated package, with image capture and sophisticated software tools, the ILRIS-3D is part of the Laser Range Imaging line of products, originally designed for spaceborne applications and now refined to address the needs of the survey and industrial user.
ILRIS-3D is specifically designed to be an economic alternative to traditional survey methods that matches the accuracy of close-range photogrammetry, offering a direct-to-digital 3D model of any scene being scanned. A major market focus will be the growing market for 3D plant and facility As-Built modeling, where such visualization in new construction or retrofit/rework is of proven value.
The data captured by the hardware is processed by proprietary software that comes bundled with ILRIS-3D. The data set consists of XYZ and intensity point cloud data, a digital camera image of the captured scene, and any notes the operator entered manually. In this way the stitching together of multiple scenes and millions of XYZ points is greatly enhanced, and the time to a rendered model dramatically reduced. The model output is compatible with AutoCAD, Isogen and other formats, with overall modeled accuracy in the range of 5 mm.
Designed to withstand field use, ILRIS-3D is rated for operation from -20¡C to +50¡C, and is rated NEMA 4X for operation in wet locations. Options include an on-board, geodetic-grade, differential GPS and attitude measurement system, as well as tracking mode capability, further extending its utility to the professional surveyor.
The features and performance of the ILRIS-3D, as well as its affordability (lower than the cost of a single traditional photogrammetry survey), will rapidly expand the way 3D data is visualized and handled. ILRIS-3D will be shipping in 4-00 - contact Eric Martin at Optech for more details, at 416-661-5904 or [email protected].
ER Viewer brings Internet imagery to the desktop
Earth Resource Mapping announced the latest release of ER Viewer, their free imagery viewing software. Included in the release is the ability to embed large image files served from an Image Web Server into Microsoft Word, Power Point, and other OLE aware applications. ER Viewer 2.0 is available for free download and distribution from www.ermapper.com
One of the most user requested features included in ER Viewer 2.0 is the ability to save any portion of an image to a file. ER Viewer supports saving to TIFF, GeoTIFF, JPG, BMP, ERS, and HDR file formats. ER Viewer reads imagery in over 10 popular formats, including ECW compressed imagery.
The latest release also brings high quality imagery directly to the desktop from anywhere in the world using the power of the Internet. Use ER Viewer 2.0 to open imagery served from an Image Web Server simply by entering the URL to the ECW file. The enhanced ActiveZoom technology in ER Viewer permits real-time panning and zooming within an image, as well as viewing any image resolution, not just predefined resolution settings.
For more information, visit Earth Resource Mapping at: www.ermapper.com
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