| Definiens Releases eCognition 2.0
Definiens Imaging GmbH announces the impending release of eCognition Version 2.0. One year after the worldwide introduction of its object-oriented image analysis system eCognition, Definiens adds additional functionality and performance to its overall system.
Driven by requirements of the emerging geomatic market for feature extraction and image exploitation, Definiens has taken yet another step toward extracting information from Earth observation data in establishing automated production chains. This new release -- eCognition 2.0 -- is more closely linked to the GIS world, as it is able to directly read and write vector information, manage raster data of differing resolutions, and precisely manipulate geocoded information.
Users of eCognition 2.0 can create new object features out of any combination of existing object parameters. Additionally, new shape features come along with the internal treatment of vector structures. A pre-released version was previously shipped to various international users for beta testing.
Definiens Imaging GmbH (Munich, Germany) is a subsidiary of Definiens AG and supplies a wide selection of geomatics and imaging technologies and products.
For further information please contact the company via e-mail at [email protected], or visit their Web site at www.definiens-imaging.com.
Real Estate Listings That Move -- To the Internet
Blue Marble Geographics has recently released BeyondGeo, a tool for the real estate industry that improves the way real estate listings are marketed to consumers and businesses. By using BeyondGeo, a real estate agency can publish realty listings directly onto a map within their own company's Web site, with each listing linked to a database displaying complete property information that can include both audio and video files.
Users visiting a site that employs the BeyondGeo Internet mapping service are able to zoom down to street level and access complete information for any listing, simply by selecting a location with their mouse pointer.Users can also search by attribute -- location, price range, number of rooms, and so on -- and have the corresponding listings visually highlighted on an accompanying map.
Blue Marble Geographics provides a map library of street-level county maps within BeyondGeo, and town parcel maps can also be acquired from local town offices and uploaded to provide detailed parcel and tax information. This custom-designed map composer does not require special technical skills to manage the service, and new information can be uploaded within minutes to keep the listings fresh. BeyondGeo is also available as a privately labeled application for larger real estate agencies wishing to offer the service to individual agents under their own brand.
Blue Marble Geographics is a provider of geographic software products for makers and users of geographic data.
For further information, please contact Jeff Taplin at Blue Marble Geographics, Gardiner, Maine. Tel: (207) 582-6747. Web address: www.bluemarblegeo.com.
Purdue University and Belgian Institute Offer Joint Science Program
A Masters of Science program has been initiated between the Katholieke Universiteit (Leuven, Belgium) and Purdue University (West Lafayette, Ind.). This program will focus on Earth observation technologies that include remote sensing, geographic information systems, and global positioning systems, among others, with applications in assorted terrestrial systems modeling such as vegetation studies, land-use assessment and planning, coastal and river management, plus erosion and pollution monitoring. The degree program is specifically geared toward the needs of the Earth observation marketplace. Furthermore, the course of study will be closely monitored for consistency and technological excellence by an external steering committee, composed of representatives from the various professional sectors that will ultimately employ graduates of this program.
This joint graduate program consists of two consecutive years of study, with the first year encompassing two semesters of course work, one at each university. While Purdue offers the basic geomatics courses in the first semester, K.U. Leuven continues in the second semester with courses that are centered on Earth-based biophysical processes and applications. The second year is dedicated to research at whichever university the student had initially registered for his or her M.S. degree.
Additionally, students will participate in an Internet-driven, research-based seminar course during their second year. Apart from successful course evaluations, graduation requirements include the submission of a thesis manuscript in the form of a peer-reviewable article.
Anyone interested in learning more about this joint program is encouraged to contact program administrators from either institution. For K.U. Leuven, the e-mail address is [email protected]. For Purdue University, the e-mail address is [email protected]. The program's Web site may be found at www.lars.purdue.edu/EOProgram.
Leica Supplies Agricultural GPS/GIS Data Collection Systems to Europe
Leica Geosystems has received orders to supply a number of their Model GS50 GPS/GIS data collection systems for agricultural applications in both Denmark and Germany. These GS50 units are being used to measure the area of fallow and cultivated fields to verify conformity with European Union (EU) agricultural policies. The data is collected in the field, with location measurements enhanced by DGPS error-correction data transmissions, and is then edited in the office using Leica's GIS DataPRO software.
Introduced by Leica in 1999, the GS50 is a tool for the acquisition of spatial data and attributes. The GS50 package consists of a rugged, lightweight GPS receiver with backpack, antenna and palm computer for field data collection, and also includes Leica's GIS DataPRO software. This software uses the ESRI ShapeFile as its native format and also supports a variety of other GIS data formats.
Leica Geosystems develops and manufactures systems for surveying, mapping and position determination.
For further information, please contact Susan Bradley at Leica Geosystems Inc., 23868 Hawthorne Blvd., Torrance, CA 90505. Tel: (310) 791-5359. E-mail:
[email protected].
DeLorme Now Shipping XMap(r) 3.0 With Export and Registration Modules
DeLorme has announced the immediate availability of XMap 3.0, their expandable geospatial software with export and image-registration modules designed for engineers, surveyors, and other land-use professionals. XMap 3.0 is a map engine with easy-to-use drawing, measuring, and annotation tools designed for use with 3-D TopoQuads(r), a library of 7.5-minute digital topographic maps that employs the entire United States as its base dataset.
With the export module, users can export custom-made base maps as GeoTiff images, with optional World File for AutoCAD(r), ArcView(r), MicroStation(r), and other GIS or CAD systems. It can also be used to export images for Microsoft PowerPoint(r) presentations or Microsoft Word(r) documents.
The image registration module allows any scanned image -- including tax maps, aerial photos, property plans, satellite images, and more -- to be fused onto a 3-D TopoQuads base map. The split-screen feature allows for easy selection of multiple common points for proper registration. The image and base map can then be superimposed, offering enhanced information about the location.
XMap 3.0 for 3-D TopoQuads with Export and Image Registration modules includes the following features:
• Create specialized maps with varied texts, fonts, and symbols
• Export registered images as GeoTiffs
• Use built-in GPS averaging for greater GPS data accuracy
• Control map detail with extensive preference settings
• Register digital images to a 3-D TopoQuads base map
• Create presentation-quality, poster-size mural maps (up to 5 x 5 tiles).
DeLorme is a publisher of maps, atlases, and mapping software available in a wide variety of digital and paper formats.
For further information, please contact Kelly Gordon at DeLorme, Yarmouth, Maine. Tel: (207) 846-7111. E-mail: [email protected].
GeoMedia WebMap and GeoMedia WebEnterprise Deliver More Options
Intergraph Mapping and GIS Solutions is now delivering more options for its enterprise customers with enhancements to its 4.0 versions of GeoMedia(r) WebMap and GeoMedia WebEnterprise. GeoMedia WebMap and GeoMedia WebEnterprise are Web-based mapping products that provide efficient ways to distribute GIS information to users throughout an organization on an intranet, or to the public via the Internet.
These products are map visualization solutions that offer real-time links to GIS data warehouses and provide analysis capabilities for exploiting an organization's valuable geospatial data. These recent releases include new functionality that emphasizing openness, flexibility and support for industry standards.
Key highlights include:
• Expanded data server support
• Powerful Web analysis tools
• Fast Web creation tools
• Expanded data output methods
• Flexible export functions
Intergraph Mapping and GIS Solutions delivers geospatial solutions to government, commercial, and international markets. The company provides core and industry-specific software products, solutions for map production and enterprise-wide mapping and GIS, and services ranging from project implementation to production.
For further information, please contact Intergraph by telephone at 1-800-791-3357 (within the U.S.), or visit the company's Web site at www.intergraph.com/imgs.
Horizons INC. Receives National USGS Award
Horizons Inc. has received a Top Performer Achievement Award from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) for "outstanding achievement" in the production of mapping products in fulfillment of their 2001 contract for the National Aerial Photography Program (NAPP). This NAPP program is the USGS's medium that provides for the contracting of aerial photography as used in both standard and nonstandard graphic and digital cartography products.
In spring 2000, Horizons Inc. completed over 99 percent of the state of Iowa, and finished off the final reflights that fall, less than six months after the contract had been awarded. Also in conjunction with the NAPP program, Horizons Inc. has completed 94 percent of the photography in Oregon.
Horizons Inc. uses photogrammetry -- the making of measurements from photo images -- to produce highly accurate digital topographic maps and orthophotos for engineering design of new projects and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
For further information, please contact Larry Deibert at Horizons Inc., Rapid City, S.D. Tel: (605) 343-0280.
Positive Systems Continues Work with NASA
Positive Systems(r) has been awarded additional funding to provide digital aerial photography services to NASA's John C. Stennis Space Center. This contract is funded through NASA's Earth Science Enterprise (ESE) Program for global Earth study and includes image acquisition and image processing of multispectral imagery covering approximately 675 square kilometers in the states of Oregon, New Mexico, and Massachusetts.
Photographed with the Positive Systems ADAR System 5500 -- a four-band multispectral, digital aerial photography camera -- this imagery will be used for land-cover applications and correlation with satellite sensors to study such Earth science information as changes in the environment due to global warming. The imagery will then be processed with DIME(tm), the new image mosaicking, georeferencing and color balancing software also by Positive Systems.
Positive Systems supplies products, services and software to the aerial photography industry.
For further information, please contact Dale Johnson at Positive Systems, Whitefish, Mont. Tel: (406) 862-7745. E-mail: [email protected].
BeyondGeo Supports Native Viewing of LizardTech's MrSID
Blue Marble Geographics has announced that LizardTech's MrSID(r) file format is supported within their BeyondGeo's Internet mapping service, providing native support for reading geo-referenced
MrSID imagery. BeyondGeo allows users to publish an interactive map on the Internet using a hosted solution. With BeyondGeo, MrSID image files can now be imported and published onto the Web with a complete set of interactive tools.
MrSID, the image-format product for geospatial professionals, reduces high-resolution images to less than five percent of their original file size while maintaining original image quality.
Blue Marble Geographics is a provider of geographic software products that provide solutions for makers and users of geographic data. LizardTech Inc. provides solutions to optimize bandwidth and provide immediate access to high-resolution, multipurpose digital images and multimedia content.
For further information, please contact Jim Dielschneider at LizardTech Inc., 821 Second Ave., Seattle, WA 98104. Tel: (206) 652-5211. E-mail: [email protected].
LiDAR Myths and Realities Topic of Upcoming Seminar Series
"The Myths and Realities of LiDAR" is the title of an upcoming seminar series sponsored by the Sanborn Map Company. This program will begin September 18 in Charlotte, N.C., and will be presented in seven additional U.S. cities throughout fall 2001.
At the half-day workshops, industry experts will explain the benefits, capabilities and limitations of LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology. This interactive program will allow attendees both to learn about LiDAR from case studies and to question whether or not this maturing technology is suitable for their specific applications.
The registration fee is $25 and includes the workshop, course materials, and refreshments. Continuing education credits will be offered in some cities.
For further information, including a list of cities served by this workshop, please contact Walker Associates/Sanborn Map toll-free (in the U.S.) at (877) 675-6111, or visit the company's Web site at www.sanbornmap.com.
VARGIS Makes First Major U.S. Purchase of ISTAR Data
VARGIS LLC has taken delivery of the first major North American purchase of high-resolution ISTAR ortho-imagery. This sale was conducted through ORBIMAGE of Dulles, Va., an ISTAR distributor. VARGIS, a broker of digital ortho-imagery and provider of mapping project management services, purchased the equivalent of 245 quarter-quads acquired by ISTAR over California, packaged as the ORBIMAGE OrbView Cities Plus product series.
ISTAR introduced the airborne HRSC digital scanner to the North American market early in 2001. Developed by the German Space Agency (DLR), this high-altitude scanner speedily acquires simultaneous imagery and elevation data to produce "true ortho-imagery" with one-meter resolution, one-meter accuracy, and zero building lean distortion. A true ortho-image is one in which every ground elevation point has been measured directly, instead of simply interpolated.
ISTAR specializes in the production of digital geographic databases created for telecommunications design and other GIS applications.
For further information, please contact Laurent Renouard at ISTAR Americas Inc., 13800 Coppermine Rd, Herndon, VA 20171. Tel.: (703) 234-7981. Web address: www.istar.com.
MAPublisher V4.0 Reaches Compatibility Level
Avenza Systems Inc., the developer of MAPublisher(r), has announced that MAPublisher Version 4.0 for Macromedia FreeHand is now compatible with Macromedia FreeHand 10 on both Microsoft Windows and Apple MacOS platforms. MAPublisher is a suite of GIS and cartographic plug-in tools that allows the import of major GIS file formats into high-end graphics and illustration environments.
Included in this suite of mapping filters are import tools, projection tools, legend tools, labeling tools, database management tools, and many others. This package comprises a complete cartographic solution for Macromedia FreeHand to extend compatibility on the FreeHand platform to the latest FreeHand release, FreeHand 10.
MAPublisher Version 4.0 for Macromedia FreeHand 10 includes the following features:
• Automatic map index creation
• Import ArcInfo export (e00) format
• Import DXF format (r14), now with colors, fills and strokes
• Import MapInfo mid/mif, now with colors, fills and strokes
• Import multiple files at once (batch import)
• Export Arcinfo e00 text annotations
• Import GIS data to existing FreeHand layers
• Import ASCII point files
• Register GeoTIFF files
• New and improved MAPublisher Grid Generator
• MrSID(tm) utilities for working with MrSID raster files in MAPublisher and FreeHand.
Avenza is a third-party developer for Macromedia Inc. and Adobe Systems Inc.
For further information, please contact Avenza Systems Inc., Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, by telephone at (905) 567-2811, or via e-mail at [email protected].
Handbook Available for Implementing Mapping Quality Management System
The implementation of a Quality Management System (QMS) oftentimes presents a major challenge. The European National Mapping Agencies (NMAs) has taken on this assignment, creating a handbook that describes their experiences in this area. Contributors are all members of NMAs and are equally members of the EuroGeographics Working Group on Quality. Collectively this organization has produced a practical model for quality management for the creation and maintenance of geographic information (GI), including links to data-quality matters and to relevant international standards for GI.
This handbook was created to identify and provide guidance for addressing the important issues faced by NMAs and other producers of GI, issues not generally covered within broader discussions of quality. Some of these specific points include:
• The role of NMAs as government bodies, and the various commercial and regulatory pressures that must be addressed -- including the issue of sub-contracting
• The public service role that NMAs are often asked to conduct in the development of GI infrastructure, and the implications this has for customer satisfaction and general service provisions
• The extensive use of GI products -- from the military realm to civil implementations
• The distinctive characteristics of GI including its uniqueness, volume, complexity and dynamic nature, and the implications this has for quality evaluation.
This document may be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.eurogeographics.org/WorkGroups/WGQ/handbook_V1.pdf. The organization EuroGeographics Working Group on Quality has a Web site located at www.eurogeographics.org/WorkGroups/WGQ/WGQ_EN.htm.
ArcLogistics Route 3 Now Shipping
ESRI has recently made available ArcLogistics Route 3, a major new release of its desktop routing and scheduling solution. ArcLogistics Route is a fully interactive desktop routing and scheduling software application that helps businesses and organizations deliver goods or services more efficiently, reducing costs and improving customer service.
ArcLogistics Route 3 adds flexibility by allowing users to have a second-time option for service, and to set a grace period within which an order can be serviced and still be considered "on time." Orders can be prioritized so that high-priority orders always get routed, in the event that routing every order is impossible due to time constraints. In addition, ArcLogistics Route 3 allows second-day routing, which is helpful for users who need to route their vehicles past the midnight hour. Additional enhancements include improved architecture for customization and new application framework features.
ArcLogistics Route 3 includes Dynamap/Transportation U.S. street data from GDT. This data includes node elevations and features one-way streets, physical turn restrictions, improved ramp structures, calculated speed information, and a geocodable database.
For further information, please visit the ESRI Web site at www.esri.com/arclogistics, contact your ESRI regional office, or call ESRI at (800) 447-9778 within the United States.
Intermap Announces New Generation in Digital Mapping Technology
Intermap Technologies has developed a new generation of Digital Elevation Model (DEM) mapping technology that is capable of generating accuracy to within one foot (30cm). All upgrades to the company's STAR-3i(r) IFSAR system target a one-foot vertical accuracy on 15-foot (five-meter) data points. In addition, a smaller (four-foot) image pixel will be provided for more detailed feature extractions. The horizontal accuracy of both the DEM and image products will be better than six feet. Software development is nearing completion, and integration of the entire system is scheduled for sometime in September 2001.
In a recent project, Intermap achieved three-foot vertical accuracy without employing ground control. After using independent ground control to remove data biases, a RMSE accuracy of better than 1.5 feet was achieved. The company's elevation and image products are used for the ortho-rectification of satellite and airborne imagery, in making topographic line maps, and in 3D visualizations.
Intermap Technologies is a commercial supplier of digital elevation models (DEMs). DEMs create highly accurate digital maps of the Earth's surface used in a wide range of applications that include planning and engineering projects, navigation systems, and to enrich digital images from satellite and airborne systems.
For further information, please contact Brian Bullock at Intermap, 9785 Maroon Circle, Englewood, CO 80112. Tel: (303) 708-0955.
OrbView-4 Imaging Satellite to Supply Environmental Monitoring Data
ORBIMAGE recently reached a multi-year agreement with the NASA Stennis Space Center to supply imagery from a 200-band hyperspectral camera aboard its OrbView-4 satellite. As the world's first commercial hyperspectral imagery from space, NASA will use OrbView-4 hyperspectral data to develop environmental monitoring applications to manage the Earth's water and land resources.
All natural and man-made materials on the surface of the Earth have unique signatures of reflected light from the sun. These signatures are more detailed than what can be captured with either a conventional camera or the human eye. However, the OrbView-4 hyperspectral camera is designed to measure these signatures and actually identify materials from space that include plant species, mineral types, and inland and coastal water features. ORBIMAGE will distribute OrbView-4 hyperspectral imagery for applications that range from mineral, oil and gas exploration, to national security activities, and to forestry, farming and environmental monitoring applications.
Under this agreement with ORBIMAGE, NASA will use OrbView-4 hyperspectral imagery to develop environmental monitoring applications as part of its Earth Observations Commercial Applications Program (EOCAP). Environmental monitoring applications for hyperspectral data focus on the ability to efficiently measure, map and monitor natural resources on a global basis. A few examples of current environmental uses for such hyperspectral imagery include the following:
• Identifying sources of heavy metal contamination from abandoned mines
• Monitoring the health of desert vegetation
• Performing climate-change studies
• Monitoring grizzly bear habitats
• Monitoring the health of coral reef ecosystems.
ORBIMAGE's OrbView-4 imaging satellite is planned for launch sometime in September aboard an Orbital Sciences Taurus rocket. In addition to the eight-meter-resolution hyperspectral camera, the satellite will carry a one-meter-resolution black-and-white camera, plus a four-meter-resolution multispectral camera to provide commercial imagery to customers worldwide. In terms of hyperspectral imagery, the new OrbView-4 imagery will complement the current aerial sources of this data -- such as NASA's AVIRIS instrument -- as well as the only other space-based hyperspectral camera, NASA's Hyperion instrument.
ORBIMAGE is a provider of Earth imagery products and services, with a planned constellation of five digital remote sensing satellites. The company currently operates the OrbView-1 atmospheric imaging satellite (launched in 1995), the OrbView-2 ocean and land multispectral imaging satellite (launched in 1997), and a worldwide, integrated image receiving, processing and distribution network.
For further information please contact ORBIMAGE, 21700 Atlantic Blvd, Dulles, VA 20166. Tel: (703) 406-5800. E-mail: [email protected].
Genesys Acquires Image Scans Inc.
Genesys International Corp. recently completed its acquisition of Image Scans Inc. (Wheat Ridge, Colo.), a firm specializing in aerial film scanning. Founded in 1992, Image Scans will become an operating division within Genesys International and remain situated in the metropolitan Denver area.
Genesys provides worldwide photogrammetry and data conversion services to government agencies, telecommunications firms, utilities companies, and transportation agencies.
For further information, please contact Terrell Williams, Genesys International Corp., 1515 Arapahoe Street, Suite 1550, Denver, CO 80202. Tel: (303) 573-8800. Web address: www.igenesys.com.
Hitachi Software Global Technology Releases FeatureXTR
FeatureXTR is a new Java-based software application from Hitachi Software Global Technology (HSGT), designed to extract features from satellite and aerial imagery and automate the digitizing of roads, buildings, bodies of water, and vegetation. The product creates vector data in both standard GIS and CAD formats.
FeatureXTR supports the loading of TFW positional files and also offers image-processing features for the following formats: TIF, JPEG, GIF, PNG and BMP. This software furthermore supports multispectral color depths of eight-bit, 11-bit, 24-bit and 32-bit images. Imbedded image-extraction tools allow users to extract raster information from imagery into separate, binary image files, or else convert their raster selections into vector outline files. Clean-up tools manipulate and fine-tune the resultant extracted data.
HSGT is a provider of assorted software and data products within the spatial information realm, combining Open GIS Consortium and industry-standard solutions with imagery and vector data products.
For further information, please contact Hitachi Software Global Technology Ltd., 10355 Westmoor Drive, Suite 250, Westminster, CO 80021. Tel: (303) 466-9255. Web address: www.hsgt.com.
GDT Provides Canadian Street and Address Database for Handheld GPS Products
Geographic Data Technology Inc. (GDT) has reached agreement to supply its Canadian street and address database to Northport Systems for use in their suite of FUGAWI handheld GPS software products.
FUGAWI allows users to find addresses, zoom in and out of specific Canadian geographic locales, and import routing and waypoint data into handheld GPS units or PDA (personal data assistant) devices. Street and address data developed by GDT's Toronto (Ontario) subsidiary provided the foundation that allows FUGAWI products to track a user's position with GPS-enabled integration.
Northport Systems specializes in GPS mapping software and related applications. Their FUGAWI line includes a PC-based GPS mapping software program and collections of digital street, nautical and topographic charts and maps.
GDT develops map databases that serve as the foundation for a variety of location-based applications, providing cartographic data to GIS vendors and creators of software and Web mapping programs.
For further information, please contact Tonya McMurray at GDT, 11 Lafayette Street, Lebanon, NH 03766. Tel: (800) 331-7881. E-mail: [email protected]. HOME |
