ERDAS

IMAGINE Essentials

WHITE PAPER

JUNE 2000

I
Example 1: Batch Processing of Data

MAGINE Essentials is a powerful, low-cost, stand-alone image mapping and visualization product. It enables you to quickly and accurately display, visually analyze, and geocorrect or reproject your data. IMAGINE Essentials also allows you to integrate numerous raster formats (e.g., GeoTIFF, ESRI GRID, ER Mapper, ERDAS .img, and many more) along with vector GIS information, into a common environment for manipulation and analysis, including map creation and updating. IMAGINE Essentials is ideal for applications requiring the creation and maintenance of geographic information databases, ranging from traditional cartographic mapping to enterprise-wide GIS databases.

Problem Solving With IMAGINE Essentials

Problem:
The Georgia Institute of Technologys Center for GIS needed to take 372 aerial photographs (in the TIFF World format), covering the whole of Metro Atlanta, Georgia, from the Georgia GIS Data Clearinghouse and quickly import, define projection information, reproject and mosaic the images on a county-by-county basis. All this needed to be done in a cost-effective time frame. Previously, such processing had taken a month, and was highly user-intensive.

Solution:
With ERDAS IMAGINE, the Georgia Institute of Technologys Center for GIS was able to use the Batch Wizard to help automate this process, largely removing the need for user intervention. The first process to be automated was to import all the images the Batch Wizard was used to record the import process for a single image and then import the remaining images, without the need for an operator to make any further selections. Many of the supplied images had been rectified to a different projection from that required by the project, and the World File did not represent the projection name. Consequently, Batch Wizard could then be used to add the correct projection parameters to all the images and then to reproject the images as required to a common projection system. Once this task was complete, many of the images were used as is in the project, while others were mosaicked together on a county-by-county basis. Rather than taking a month, the entire process was completed within a matter of days. According to the Project Manager, the Batch Wizard in ERDAS IMAGINE saved us from having our operators tediously filling in interface parameters over and over again for repetitive tasks, such as importing and defining image header information. The rapid reprojection capabilities also helped us to complete the project in record time and within our budget. The Project Manager also added of the Batch Wizard: Later this year, we plan to apply that same process to another 3,500+ images to complete the State of Georgia. Without this tool well, we would not attempt to do it.

Example 2: Cartographic Map Series Production

Problem:
Producing cartographic-quality maps often involves the synthesis and management of disparate geographic data sources. This process is often time-consuming and the translation processes can cause loss of geographic or attribute accuracy. An integrated software solution maintains accuracy and allows users to quickly produce standardized, consistent end-map products.

Solution:
IMAGINE Essentials provides access to over 90 image and geographic data formats such as the output from desktop scanners, data from the World Wide Web, digital orthophotos, and more. It is imperative that this geographical data be spatially correct before it is used for mapping purposes. IMAGINE Essentials provides the tools to quickly geomtrically correct data to a broad range of projections and coordinate systems.

Once geometrically correct, the different data sources can be overlaid or tiled together for comparison or presentation. Full control is provided over the attribute-based symbolization of vector and raster data. The data can then be produced into cartographic-quality map compositions. Map objects can be dragged and dropped onto a blank canvas. If standardized mapping products are required, final digital maps can be automatically generated for printing using map series databases and templates. These databases and templates contain all the elements required for the end product, such as company logos, copyright notices, attribute legends, and other map objects.

Example 3: Vector Data Update for National Mapping Database

Problem:
Many organizations are responsible for creating, updating, and maintaining digital vector databases. They need to be able to vectorize data from existing paper maps, but they also need to constantly revise the data with up-to-date information, or provide new information by interpreting secondary data sources.

Case Study:
The Australian Geological Survey Organization (AGSO) in Canberra, Australia, is responsible for creating and updating a variety of geologic and other thematic maps for the entire continent of Australia. According to Quill Williams, the Business Development Manager at ESRI Australia (the ERDAS distributor in Australia), AGSO chose ERDAS IMAGINE geographic imaging software to complement its GIS because ERDAS provides the quickest and easiest way to create ArcInfo (ESRI, Redlands, CA) vectors from raster data or to update ArcInfo vectors from an existing GIS database. IMAGINE Essentials is a tool that enables you to integrate, update, and manipulate ESRIs ArcInfo coverages within the ERDAS IMAGINE environment. The key is that the vectors and their attributes remain in the ArcInfo format as you view and edit them over current imagery. There are no file conversion or translation errorsany coverages manipulated can then be directly analyzed in the ArcInfo GIS. While exiting paper maps of geological structures can easily be used as an initial source of digital vectors via the use of digitizing tablets, these maps may be decades out of date, at small scales, or may be difficult to obtain for more remote regions. Thus, more up-to-date sources are required for interpreting features. Satellite imagery and other remotely sensed data provide an extremely cost-effective source of information, allowing more frequent update of data than from field surveys, for example, AGSO processes and utilizes many disparate sources of data, such as satellite images, aerial photographs, radar, radiometric, magnetic and gravity, to aid in the interpretation and mapping of subsurface geology. These raster data types can be accessed in IMAGINE Essentials, corrected to a common projection system, and merged to provide multi-layer multi-temporal, large-scale imagery for interpretation. Existing geologic vector coverages can be overlaid directly on these images, either individually or simultaneously, to allow geologists to compare datasets visually on screen and edit as needed using ERDAS IMAGINE. The Blend, Swipe and Flicker tools allow rapid data comparison to highlight features requiring digitization with the suite of vector editing tools. The Image Drape utility in ERDAS IMAGINE provides a further means of interpreting data by allowing the visualization of surface or subsurface features in 3D.

Results:
Spatially accurate, up-to-date thematic databases were rapidly produced for Australia.

Technical Specifications
Key Benefits Data Visualization
All interactive display and processing takes place in the viewer Data layers (i.e., raster, vector, annotation, or any combination of these) can be displayed at any scale or resolution Attribute information can be entered or queried Use multiple viewers to display separate layers, or overlay multiple layers within a single viewer Geographic linking allows separate viewers to be linked geographically for simultaneous roaming. It also provides overviews of the contents of other viewers and magnification views.

 The viewers support reprojection on-the-fly. You no longer need to tediously reproject all your data into a common projection system since ERDAS IMAGINE will automatically reproject in real-time, both in the viewer and when analyzing datasets. A virtual mosaic of separate images can be performed by displaying multiple neighboring images in a single viewer. Interactive scale bars and north arrows can be continuously displayed to provide contextual information for data in the viewer. The visual appearance of imagery can be enhanced by creating, saving and retrieving look-up tables, applying filters, and applying other raster editing functions for further analysis. Edit functions include: copy and paste of user-defined regions recoding, offsetting, and interpolation of class values The viewer pictured above compares a SPOT image unlimited undo levels with shaded relief elevation data using the Swipe tool. Several display modes are supported for displaying imagery: grayscale, pseudo color (for thematic data), relief shading, and true color (red, green and blue color gun assignment). Interactively change the initial band combination without reloading the imagery Rapidly perform resolution merges or change detection through the ability to define individual guns of the RGB display from different data files. Measurement tools are provided to quickly assess the width of a river, the area of a building, the compass orientation of a track, or the geographic coordinate of an object. An inquire cursor allows you to drive to a known location or to provide attribute information at specific locations. The Attribute CellArray provides tools for accessing, defining and manipulating attribute information in thematic data layers. Profile tools provide a further means of measuring and analyzing geographic imagery: The Spectral Profile tool provides a spectral profile at a specific geographic location, drilling down through all the bands in an image and producing a scaled graph of reflectance against wavelength. This is most often used for analyzing hyperspectral imagery by comparing the spectral profile of a pixel with a library of known spectra to identify a material at that location. The Spatial Profile tool produces cross-sectional plots along a user-defined line and can be used to perform line-of-sight analyses, surface distance calculations, or can be used to analyze the correlation between variations in different image bands. The Surface Profile tool can be used to quickly generate isometric views of surfaces, including the ability to drape another image over the surface. This is used to assess the results of raster edits performed on imagery. The viewer supports the display and manipulation of various formats of vector data, allowing all types of data to be displayed simultaneously for combined analysis. Currently supported for direct read in the viewer are areas of interest (AOIs), annotation, ESRI ArcInfo coverages, ESRI Shapefiles, ESRI SDE, and TerraModel (Spectra Precision, Atlanta, GA) projects. AOI files are points, lines, or polygons used to define areas, or regions, for specific processing. The use of AOIs is universal throughout ERDAS IMAGINE, with the majority of processes having the option to constrain to an AOI. AOIs can be: manually created through on-screen heads-up) or tablet digitizing automatically created from other data layers (e.g., and ArcInfo polygon coverage, or a class in a thematic image) automatically generated using the unique Region Growing (or Seeding) tool, allowing polygon boundaries to be rapidly generated across large areas which would otherwise take many hours to manually digitize (e.g., for lake or forest edges). Annotation layers are used to provide simple overlays for imagery, both in the viewer and when creating map compositions. You can create layers which include: point symbols filled and unfilled polygons lines of various styles north arrows geographic tics and graticules Unicode text for supporting 2-byte character sets Full control is provided over the way these features are displayed, allowing the user to design new symbols, fill styles and line styles, and define sizes in terms of map or paper coordinate systems. A

customizable style chooser, or palette, is also provided, from which to select the style for a particular feature. ERDAS IMAGINE is the only geographic imaging software with ESRIs data models built in, giving total integration of coverages, Shapefiles and SDE into everyday processing. Take existing vector layers and display them over up-to-date, planemetrically correct imagery and use the Style Chooser to define the way features are displayed. Automatically generate symbology based on the topological attributes ArcInfo coverages and Shapefiles may also be edited (see the Vector Editing section in this White Paper). TerraModel projects can be displayed in the viewer, and you control the layers to draw and the palette to use.

3D Visualization
The ability to render a view of a surface from an oblique angle with imagery mapped onto the surface provides a unique insight into the scale and association of features in a landscape. The Image Drape utility makes use of OpenGL support to: allow a surface file, such as a digital elevation model (DEM), to be rendered from custom-defined observer positions and viewing geometries to provide a true per spective view, rather than an isometric view. give the analyst control over vertical exaggeration, back ground sky definition, atmospheric effect, the types of imagery draped onto the surface, and more, to provide photo-realistic views of the ground or to visualize the relationship of their GIS analyses.
Image Drape viewer

Data Integration
ERDAS IMAGINE provides several techniques for accessing data: autoloaders, generic import/export, and direct read via dynamically loadable libraries (DLLs). Direct Read: open and use imagery in its native format via raster DLLs. Any ERDAS IMAGINE application which accesses information via the raster DLL can be used to process raster data in its native format. The DLL approach allows developers to easily add support for new raster formats in ERDAS IMAGINE by utilizing the raster DLL socket. Autoloaders: provide means to automatically Vector Attribute CellArray convert numerous data formats to ERDAS IMAGINEs internal .img file format, without the need to provide any information regarding the data itself. This gives you rapid access to data while retaining as much of the original formats information as possible. The export of ERDAS IMAGINE files to many commonly used exchange formats, such as JPEG or GeoTIFF, is also supported. Generic Import/Export: ERDAS IMAGINE provides a generic utility for importing information for which no autoloader exists. This provides access to most image data by manually providing further information, such as the number of rows and columns in an image file.

Image Management
An intuitive, map-based graphical display tool enables you to: easily index, view, manage, archive, and retrieve imagery from anywhere on the network. quickly display image footprints on your choice of map back ground, and a single click sends the selected image(s) to a viewer query the map display to find imagery by geographical location or use the CellArray to perform attribute-based queries customize a catalog to suit a particular project or use it to manage a corporate image database

Geometric Correction
IMAGINE Essentials provides over 200 map projections and datums, and allows you to define custom projection libraries.

An example of the Image Catalog

ERDAS IMAGINEs geometric correction tool provides a standard interface for geolocating imagery based on geometric models. Different models are available depending on the type of geometric distortions in the imagery and the desired output accuracy requirements. Data can be georeferenced to control references, such as scanned maps, GPS, vector data, paper maps and existing imagery. The imagery is tied to these references through the use of the Ground Control Point (GCP) Editor. The GCP Editor allows common GCPs to be identified in both the image and A sample GCP Editor session reference in order to construct the geometric model which translates the image to a planar projection system. Numerous tools are supplied to help the user and speed this process, such as: zoom windows, with automatic tracking to GCPs independent residual error reporting, to identify poorly defined or measured GCPs so that they can be corrected check point definition, to determine accuracy of the geometric model coordinate calculator, for changing the projection system of control reference points automatic point prediction and matching, with automatic drive to coordinate for fine-tuning of measurements use digitizing tablets to derive accurate reference control from paper maps Imagery does not need to be resampled to the particular projection systemcalibration and on-thefly warping retain the integrity of your source data. Calibration provides a rapid means of geocoding imagery for time-sensitive applications, such as military target mapping or emergency response situations, but can also be used to reduce the time and disk space used for producing final mapping products. Geolocated imagery can be used as an accurate base map for further analysis, map production, and map updates.

Vector Editing
In addition to providing tools for creating and updating raster-based maps, IMAGINE Essentials provides tools for combining and editing vector-based maps. Tools for editing AOI and annotation layers, and creating or editing ArcInfo and Shapefile coverages include: add label points, arcs, polygon and tic objects by mouse, keyboard or digitizing tablet user-defined editing tolerances for weed, grain, arc snap, and node snap distances split and merge arcs symbolized display or arcs, label points, polygons symbolized display of dangling and pseudo nodes symbolized display of polygon errors spline, densify, and generalize capabilities

display and manipulate individual vertices on a line reshape a portion of a line cut, copy and paste features multiple undo levels point-and-click, or area-based, selection add and manipulate attribute fields and records region grow (seed) create ArcInfo vectors from other ERDAS IMAGINE vector formats

The ability to display a vector layer over imagery backgrounds provides a powerful way to create or update the data, since all the viewer visualization tools are available to the analyst. Out-of-date features in an existing ArcInfo coverage can be identified by displaying over a recently acquired and geometrically corrected image and using the Blend, Swipe or Flicker change detection tools. Identifying the exact boundaries of a feature to be digitized is possible by applying any of these image enhancement functions: edge enhancing filters to highlight a road or track edge detection filters to identify buildings look-up table manipulation to increase the contrast in natural vegetation areas increasing the spatial resolution of color imagery by merging a higher resolution panchromatic image to help identify small features

As the analyst digitizes, the viewer will automatically pan in the direction of editing.

Simple Image Classification

IMAGINE Essentials provides a tool to categorize images into classes, each class representing a distinct feature in the image, whether it be forest areas, agricultural fields, urban areas, or the like. The ISODATA process is fully automatic, requiring that you merely specify the maximum number of classes to identify in the image.

Cartographic Production
IMAGINE Essentials includes a highly interactive, cartographic-quality map composition tool for designing and printing hardcopy output. The capabilities can be summarized at three levels: custom map compositions, template map compositions, and the Map Series Tool. Custom Map Compositions: Individual map compositions can be designed from scratch, starting with a clean, white canvas of user-specified size. Objects can then be positioned on this canvas to build up the final map. The data are then reproduced in the map composition at the desired scale and extent. Template Map Compositions: Standard map tools can be used to design a template map containing all the features and objects required. Your data can then be quickly dropped into the empty frames, any necessary modifications made, and printed using this standard layout scheme. Map Series Tool: The Map Series Tool takes the concept of the template to another level by fully automating the process of producing multiple, standardized output map compositions when the areal extent of your data necessitates producing numerous hardcopy maps to cover the entire area.

Map series tiles

Batch Processing
If you need to import 100 images, create 500 classifications, or perform any type of repetitive task within ERDAS IMAGINE, the Batch Wizard provides an intuitive tool for automating your production flow. The Batch Wizard leads you through the process of constructing re-useable batch scripts. The Batch Wizard: Records a process (such as an import operation), or series of processes, as a batch command script Automates the batch command script so that it can be re-used with other data files Selects multiple files using lists or wildcards as input to the recorded batch process Creates output file names automatically with user-defined patterns Allows you to edit the variables in the batch script to modify the recorded process

 Saves batch scripts for re-use in other projects, or to share standard processing steps

Ease of Use
Common, generic tools are provided so that an analyst familiar with their use in one context can easily start using other functions without having to learn a completely new interface. A preference editor is included for customizing ERDAS IMAGINE to your particular user environment. Many dialogs in ERDAS IMAGINE support preview windows, allowing you to easily open listings of recently accessed directories and files. All operations within ERDAS IMAGINE are supported by extensive hypertext On-Line Help, as well as bubble-help options

Ease of Customization
System-wide, intuitive graphical user interface, which is easily modified to suit a particular production environment. Delivered with the ERDAS Macro Language (EML), a scripting language which allows you to modify the interface, or add/access extra functions, in order to produce custom applications.

Extensibility
Many application programs within ERDAS IMAGINE have sockets (DLLs), which specific filters or functions are plugged into for that application to interpret. DLLs can be used to provide plug-in functionality for geometric models, resampling techniques, EML application functions, and more, making it easy to extend the capabilities of an application without having to rewrite or recompile that application. The software supports standard TrueType and PostScript Type 1 fonts, and provides an additional built-in library of fonts for annotating data and for use in map compositions.

Key Features and Capabilities

Data Visualization Versatile data viewer Look-up Table manipulation Data and attribute editing Spatial and Spectral measurement 3D view generation Data Integration Direct read of open formats Import/Export routines Access to attribute information Image Management Graphical Image Catalog Data archiving and retrieval Batch Processing Batch Wizard records processes Apply to multiple file lists Schedule jobs for overnight execution Geometric Correction Extendible geometric models GCP Editor Standard or user-defined projection libraries Coordinate calculator On-the-fly warping and reprojection Vector Editing ESRI data models built-in Vector editing tools Automated viewer roam

Classification Unsupervised image classification Cartographic Map Production Custom map definition tools Drag and drop map objects Template maps Map Series generation Industry standard printer language support Ease of Use and Customization Common tools used throughout ERDAS IMAGINE Preference editor Chooser menus Context-sensitive hypertext On-Line Help Customizable with ERDAS Macro Language (EML) Extensibility Applications designed with DLLs Font manager

System Requirements

ERDAS IMAGINE is supported under the following platforms. For more detailed information on the supported system requirements for a particular type of PC or workstation, please refer to the relevant platform specification, available either from ERDAS, your local distributor or the ERDAS web site at http://www.erdas.com.

Workstation Intel PC

Minimum Operating System Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Microsoft Windows 98 Microsoft Windows 2000 Solaris 2.6, 7.0 IRIX 6.5 HP-UX 11.00 AIX 4.3.2, 4.3.3 COMPAQ Tru64 UNIX 4.0F

Minimum Memory 64 MB 64 MB 64 MB 64 MB 64 MB 64 MB 96 MB 96 MB

Sun SPARC Silicon Graphics R4400 to R10000 Hewlett-Packard 9000 Series 7000 IBM RS/6000 DIGITAL AlphaStation

ERDAS IMAGINE Product Packaging

ERDAS IMAGINE offers a complete, easy-to-use geographic imaging software suite that helps a variety of people within an organization turn geographic imagery into valuable information. The ERDAS IMAGINE product suite offers a wide range of functionality from data visualization to standard data manipulation algorithms, to advanced image classification. ERDAS IMAGINE makes geographic imaging simple in a multitude of ways. The system-wide graphical user interface shortens learning curves and makes it easy to work back and forth between products. The software hides the complexity and automates standard processes, integrates key data types, and enables imagery to be used as a rapid, accurate and intelligent source of geographic information. ERDAS IMAGINE products are structured in a tiered fashion, with IMAGINE Essentials as the base tier. Each tier of ERDAS IMAGINE includes and extends the functionality of the previous level. Together with the ability to float these individual components across a network, the tiered approach enables you to purchase an integrated system that meets your processing requirements and is flexible enough to accommodate changes in your work flow.

IMAGINE Essentials icon panel

If you would like more information about our geographic imaging solutions, please contact us. Well respond immediately.
2801 Buford Highway, N.E. Atlanta, Georgia 30329-2137 USA ERDAS Worldwide Headquarters Toll Free: +1 877-GO-ERDAS (463-7327) Phone: +1 404-248-9000 Fax: +1 404-248-9400 ERDAS in Europe, Africa, Middle East, Asia/Pacific Rim Phone: +44 1223-881774 Fax: +44 1223-880160 All Other Worldwide Inquiries Phone: +1 404-248-9000 Fax: +1 404-248-9400

www.erdas.com

Copyright 1997-2000 ERDAS, Inc. All rights reserved. ERDAS, ERDAS IMAGINE and IMAGINE Essentials are registered trademarks of ERDAS, Inc. CellArray is a trademark of ERDAS, INC. Geographic Imaging Made Simple is a service mark of ERDAS, Inc. Other brands and product names are the properties of their respective owners. cc 3/00 Part No. ?

Geographic Imaging Made Simple

SM