GPS World

Tag: GIS software

  • Topcon 3D Scanning Increases Integration with Autodesk

    As a result of the strategic business relationship with Autodesk, Topcon Positioning Group announces improved workflow compatibility for the GLS-2000 3D laser scanner and ScanMaster software with Autodesk solutions via the latest version of Autodesk ReCap.

    The GLS-2000 pairs with Topcon ScanMaster software to collect, process, edit and deliver 3D point cloud data from a laser scanner for a variety of applications. Autodesk ReCap allows users to perform tasks such as scan conversion, editing, and viewing point cloud data, and provides integration with Autodesk’s broader portfolio of design software.

    Autodesk ReCap and ReCap 360 have the new capability to read the Topcon CL3 format as a scan file in addition to a standard point cloud. The scan file allows for the use of individual scan positions for additional options in registration workflows.

    “File conversion is no longer necessary — exporting can be done straight out of scan position. Users ultimately get a more streamlined workflow, more data detail and increased access to the point cloud,” said Ray Kerwin, director of global surveying products. “With individual scan positions it is possible to generate ‘RealViews’ that offer a web viewing output.”

    The integration is available for versions including Autodesk ReCap, ReCap 360 and ReCap 360 Ultimate software.

  • Esri, NT Concepts Help Transition Google Earth Enterprise Customers

    In coordination with Google, Esri is providing replacement software and training to customers and partners using Google’s enterprise geospatial technology.

    NT Concepts, an experienced Google integrator, is announcing a new partnership with Esri to help customers that have implemented Google Earth Enterprise and Google Maps Engine make a smooth transition to the ArcGIS platform with minimal interruptions to their operations.

    Esri is a longtime provider of geospatial solutions to the defense and intelligence communities and has developed more than 40 specialized applications for their use.

    “NT Concepts has mapped the functionality of Google to Esri’s ArcGIS platform. The current users of Google’s enterprise geospatial products will find the Esri platform to be a key option for meeting their geospatial requirements,” said Chris Powell, chief technology officer at NT Concepts.

    For Google Earth customers that would like to transition to the ArcGIS platform, Esri is offering the new ArcGIS 10.3.1 for Server and related client/app technology. In addition to other advanced functionality, these will allow users to publish 2D data, 3D buildings, and KML files throughout the enterprise.

    “Esri is delighted to have NT Concepts as our trusted partner for this important work,” said Patty Mims, Esri director for intelligence. “The company provides key skills needed to work with both Esri and Google technology.”

  • Boundless Certifies Latest QGIS Release with OpenGeo Suite

    Boundless, provider of open source geospatial software and services, is offering support and interoperability of QGIS 2.8.2 with OpenGeo Suite 4.6, the most recent version of its enterprise geospatial software platform.

    Boundless will be discussing QGIS and OpenGeo Suite at GEOINT 2015 at Booth 2094, June 22-25.

    QGIS 2.8.2 is the newest version of the open source GIS desktop application. Boundless commercially supports and packages QGIS as part of OpenGeo Suite 4.6, the latest version of Boundless’ leading open source geospatial software stack, powering web, mobile, and desktop maps and applications across organizations large and small. With this release, Boundless certifies interoperability between QGIS 2.8.2 and OpenGeo Suite 4.6 and extends commercial support for the interoperability to all OpenGeo Suite Enterprise customers.

    In addition, Boundless announced the availability of several new custom QGIS plugins for Enterprise customers, designed to enhance the usability and functionality of QGIS. This release includes:

    • MGRS-Tools, which adds support for using Military Grid Reference System (MGRS) coordinates when working with a QGIS map
    • WebApp Builder, which enables QGIS users to easily build web-based applications

    QGIS and OpenGeo Suite Enterprise from Boundless provide open source geospatial software designed for cost-sensitive users who still have advanced mapping and deployment requirements. Organizations with complex Enterprise needs should no longer feel locked in to proprietary software with significant license costs in order to accomplish sophisticated projects, Boundless said.

    “Boundless is pleased to extend our support of QGIS as part of our commitment to making geospatial software available and easy to use for all,” noted Ann Johnson, Boundless CEO. “Every day we see more and more evidence of QGIS’s growing footprint, so we remain focused on meeting the demands of our customer base.”

    Boundless offers service packages and training to help customers and free users get the most from QGIS and their OpenGeo Suite deployment. Boundless also supports a variety of deployment options, including on-premise and cloud environments such as AWS and Microsoft Azure.,

  • Remote Geosystems Releases Full-Motion Video Tools

    Remote GeoSystems, Inc., an Esri Emerging Business Partner, has released two new Esri-based Geospatial Full Motion Video (FMV) Inspection & Reporting Solutions: LineVision Esri ArcGIS and LineVision Esri ArcMap Add-In.

    LineVision Esri ArcGIS and LineVision Esri ArcMap Add-In are open and versatile geospatial video analysis and inspection data reporting tools for the Esri platform. Both LineVision Esri versions will accept properly formatted video from a variety of consumer GPS video cameras, UAV/UAS platforms, gyro-stabilized camera systems and specialized geospatial DVRs; including the Remote GeoSystems geoDVR.

    LineVision Esri ArcGIS and LineVision Esri ArcMap Add-In enables users to geospatially “navigate” a video recording by simply clicking a location along a GPS track positioned over an Esri-based map. As the video plays, a cursor moves along the GPS track, constantly indicating where the current video view was captured. If something of interest is detected in the video, users may pause and capture a geo-tagged still photo from the video.

    The software can play up to four geospatially-synchronized videos at once, enhancing the capabilities of modern airborne multi-sensor HD/IR/UV gimbal cameras and terrestrial mobile mapping systems.

    In addition to geo-tagged video, LineVision Esri ArcGIS and LineVision Esri ArcMap Add-in also support geospatial positioning of still photos, audio, annotations and any other digital documents. Along with the video, all these media files can be saved as a .geoProject™ file for the ultimate in data portability and simple delivery to clients.

    LineVision Esri ArcGIS. LineVision Esri ArcGIS is a “stand-alone” desktop software that leverages the Esri ArcGIS platform to map, analyze and package geospatial full motion video (FMV), photos, annotations, documents, SHP files and raster imagery. It is designed for rapid adoption and ease-of-use so now anyone without GIS experience can easily view this valuable asset location-based multimedia using enterprise maps and imagery provided by ArcGIS for Server, ArcGIS for Desktop or ArcGIS Online. Users do not need to have other Esri software installed.

    LineVision Esri ArcMap Add-in. LineVision Esri ArcMap Add-In offers all the same capabilities as LineVision Esri ArcGIS but as a “traditional ArcMap Add-In,” leveraging Esri’s powerful desktop GIS environment. Users will need to have Esri ArcMap software installed.

    “Esri customers have been asking for a solution that simplifies post-mission geospatial video analysis and project reporting while leveraging the enterprise GIS capabilities and data available from ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS for Server and ArcGIS for Desktop. We’re excited to see that utilizing the resources available from Esri’s Startup Program, Remote Geo was able to quickly migrate their LineVision software to the ArcGIS platform,” said Kurt Daradics, EsriEmerging Business Group Manager.

    “LineVision Esri ArcGIS and ArcMap Add-In are the first of many solutions to align our geoDVR, LineVision and geoProject capabilities with Esri’s technology stack,” said Jeff Dahlke, Remote GeoSystems Managing Director. “Geospatially-intelligent video is now being recognized as a corporate asset that reduces real risks and costs. Offering solutions that leverage Esri is critical as we roll out our enterprise geospatial video management offerings.”

    Key features include:

    • Multi-channel Geo-referenced HD Video Playback
    • Snap Geo-tagged Still Photos from Video
    • Use Waypoint Navigator to Quickly Jump to POIs Identified In-mission
    • Mark Locations with Annotations and Attach Any Document or File
    • Add Local Shapefiles & Raster Data
    • Connect to ArcGIS Online & ArcGIS for Server
    • Add & Edit Documents and Files Right on the Map
    • Create Portable .geoProject File Packages

    Pro & Viewer Editions Available

    Both LineVision Esri ArcGIS and LineVision Esri ArcMap Add-In are available in Pro (Professional) and Viewer editions. The primary difference between the two versions is Pro will allow you to create and save information-rich, immersive geoProject reports with all related files, whereas Viewer is primarily designed for viewing and interacting with previously-saved geoProjects.

  • PTFS to Rebrand ArchivalWare as Knowvation at GEOINT 2015

    Progressive Technology Federal Systems Inc. (PTFS), a provider of Enterprise Content Management (ECM) solutions, has upgraded and rebranded ArchivalWare, its flagship product line, as Knowvation. PTFS will demonstrate the enhanced Knowvation ECM offering and the roles it can play in Activity-Based Intelligence at GEOINT 2015, which will be held June 22-25 in Washington, D.C.

    “In response to client feedback, we have improved the Knowvation graphical user interface making it faster and easier to query and retrieve content from vast enterprise repositories,” said Dan Quinn, PTFS vice president. “Knowvation will continue to appeal to government agencies, commercial organizations and libraries.”

    PTFS will demonstrate the new Knowvation ECM solution in booth #2083 at the GEOINT 2015 Symposium.

    Knowvation ECM is a web-based federated search and discovery application that manages structured and unstructured content, including born-digital and digitized files, in many databases at multiple locations across the enterprise. Fully modular, Knowvation enables users to interrogate and retrieve content by searching on metadata, full text, or geospatial parameters. Searchable content includes documents, books, newspapers, video, audio, photographs and raster/vector geospatial files in all formats.

    “Combining full-text and geospatial queries sets Knowvation apart from many other Enterprise Content Management systems,” said Quinn. “The geospatial search and discovery capability has made Knowvation a trusted all source tool relied upon by government agencies with large GIS and satellite imagery archives, especially in the Intelligence Community.”

    Knowvation users can perform geospatial searches on data archives containing over 200 different types of file formats. Format-agnostic geospatial queries can be initiated by typing a geographic name, entering latitude/longitude coordinates or drawing a polygon on a map interface. Once the analyst has retrieved required data their ELT of choice is launched with one click to perform analysis and build timely actionable intelligence.

    PTFS offers the option of deploying Knowvation as the client’s repository of record in which all content is ingested, stored, managed and searched. Or the client may keep its content in other applications and shared drives with the ECM solution deployed externally to index the information for easy search and retrieval. The Knowvation server can be located behind the client firewall or hosted by PTFS offsite or in the Amazon cloud in a Software-as-a-Service business model.

    Introduced 11 years ago as ArchivalWare, Knowvation is deployed in government agencies, libraries, academic institutions, and labor unions. The largest installations are within the U.S. federal government at DoD sites.

    PTFS President John Yokley and Global Marketing Insights President Dr. Shawana Johnson will participate in a video at GEOINT 2015 discussing emerging technologies in the Federal/Civilian space and Knowvation’s move into the Amazon Marketplace.

    Concurrent with GEOINT, Dan Quinn will speak on GeoPDF technology at 11 am on Thursday, June 25, at the U.S. government’s 9th Geospatial PDF Working Group meeting at the Washington Convention Center.

  • Esri President Looking for a Few Good Images

    Esri President Jack Dangermond is asking for geospatial professionals to provide illustrations for his opening presentation at the 2015 Esri User Conference in July.

    “Each year, the Plenary Session provides an inspiring overview of the state of geospatial technology today, and one of the best ways to illustrate that is by sharing examples of your work,” Dangermond writes in an email. “I invite you to submit up to three images for us to consider including in the presentation.”

    Dangermond said he is interested in:

    • Maps that helped make a decision
    • Maps that helped with collaboration
    • Maps that helped communicate
    • High-quality cartographic displays
    • 3D visualizations
      • Built environment
      • Nature landscapes
      • Cartography (statistics)
    • Maps that illustrate spatial analysis, modeling, and science
    • Web maps

    Image submissions must be received by Friday, June 12, via Esri’s online portal.

    Send any questions to [email protected].

  • INTERGEO Conference in Stuttgart Looks to Future

     

    InterGeo-logo

    The conference program and registration for INTERGEO 2015 are now live. Register before July 31 to benefit from the early-bird booking rate.

    The conference will be open with keynote speeches by Chris Cappelli (Esri Inc.) on “The Age of the Location Platform: How Mapping and GIS are Transforming the Work Environment” and Prof. Georg Gartner (TU Wien, Vienna University of Applied Sciences), president of the International Cartographic Association, on “The Future of the Map – the Map of the Future.” 

    “The agenda for the INTERGEO conference in Stuttgart is packed with exciting topics that are the focus of ongoing political debate on the digital world and will play a key role in shaping the way we work in future,” reads a statement by INTERGEO. “With keynote speeches and plenary talks delivered in English and simultaneous interpreting provided for one strand of the conference on the second day, it is clear that INTERGEO is also becoming increasingly significant on an international scale.” 

    The major topic of discussion at 2014’s INTERGEO remains a key part of the conference this year — INSPIRE examines geo-issues from a European perspective, providing practical examples and focusing on further development of the European directive. Other central themes include geodata as a basis for construction management and land development, a major concern for future development at regional and local level, as well as issues relating to property markets and valuation. These subjects are all crucial when it comes to discussing the “smart cities” and “smart villages” of the future, according to INTERGEO.

    Another highlight of INTERGEO in Stuttgart this year will be the panel discussion on the second day on “Geospatial Information – A Key Element for Emerging Markets.” The high-profile panel of speakers include Bengt Kjellson (UN-GGIM Europe), Ola Rollen (Hexagon), Steve Berglund (Trimble) and Chris Cappelli (Esri Inc.).

    A further key topic at the conference that is set to have a profound effect on the working world is geoinformation and mobility. DDGI and DVW will be addressing this together and discussing practical examples in two event strands.

    The contributions on big data will focus on the rapid development of data capture, processing and presentation as well as the direct integration of data into business processes. Geoinformation as an element of networked processes is a subject of major international significance, as evidenced by the conference’s high-profile speakers. “In terms of digitization, the conference will be key to paving the path to Geospatial 4.0 and the networking of digital geodata,” said Prof. Karl-Friedrich Thöne, president of the event’s host, DVW, adding, “INTERGEO is the ideal forum for creating processes that could eventually benefit the entire value-added chain.”

    As important as data may be in the digital world, it is also crucial to have the right visualization concepts in place. This will be demonstrated through presentations on the German Cartographers’ Day, which will form part of INTERGEO this year.

  • Intergraph Unveils ArcGIS Editor, Establishes User Experience Lab

    Intergraph Security, Government and Infrastructure (SG&I) has unveiled I/Map Editor for ArcGIS, a product that works directly with Esri’s ArcGIS Platform to migrate geospatial data into Intergraph’s Computer-Aided Dispatch software (I/CAD), creating greater efficiencies for users of both systems.

    Also, SG&I has established Studio One, a user experience design and development lab that provides space for multi-disciplinary teams to collaborate on innovative, user-centered products and solutions.

    I/Map Editor for ArcGIS brings advanced mapping features to Intergraph’s map build environment, automating and streamlining map creation in I/CAD. I/Map Editor for ArcGIS is designed to minimize the number of different systems and steps required for ArcGIS users, offering them a one-stop shop for uploading data into their I/CAD system.

    ‘I/Map Editor for ArcGIS enables ArcGIS users to more efficiently get their GIS data into I/CAD using tools familiar to them,” said Kalyn Sims, chief technology officer, Intergraph SG&I. “It also provides them with the ability to more frequently update their data, which benefits agencies and the public they serve. Our goal is to provide public safety organizations with the most up-to-date geospatial data possible within their first responder systems.”

    Intergraph’s industry-leading I/CAD system is critical to public safety operations, enabling agencies to quickly answer emergency and non-emergency calls, create and update incidents and manage multiple resources in real time. Intergraph’s I/Map Editor products facilitate the use of GIS data as the source of mapping information in I/CAD.

    Built on Intergraph’s GeoMedia, I/Map Editor permits the use of GIS data from third-party systems as the source of map graphics in I/CAD. Built on ArcGIS, the new I/Map Editor for ArcGIS enables I/CAD map production within ArcGIS. An extension hosted in ArcMap, it natively connects to Esri data sources.

    In March, Intergraph and Esri announced collaborative efforts to enhance geospatial capabilities for public safety and security agencies. Through the collaboration, the companies have been working together to more tightly align Intergraph’s I/CAD software and Esri’s ArcGIS Platform.

    Studio One. Located at Intergraph SG&I’s headquarters, Studio One is an extension of the company’s strategic efforts to ensure its products are built to meet the needs of users, some of whom are in high-pressure environments.

    “The methodologies and technologies of UX (user experience) are maturing very quickly. For example, now we can accurately assess whether software raises or lowers stress,” said Amy Hawkins, UX team manager, Intergraph SG&I. “As we move information technology closer and closer to users, in the form of mobile and wearable devices, we need to be very sure that we are making people’s jobs easier, not harder. That’s why we established Studio One.”

    Comprised of a distributed group of user researchers, designers, technical architects and functional designers, Intergraph SG&I’s UX team conducts customer site visits, ethnographic observation, interviews and surveys to understand customer workflows and environments. The UX team has traveled to multiple cities across the U.S., visiting a dozen different public safety agencies in four different metropolitan areas. In the Denver area, the team conducted approximately 47 ride-alongs with police, firefighters and emergency medical services personnel.

    The UX team works with product development teams to build usage metrics collection into Intergraph SG&I’s products so that strategists and design and development teams have the best possible data on which to base product direction decisions. The team also works with research groups at universities such as Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt and the University of Alabama in Huntsville to get independent perspectives on user mental models and emerging technologies.

    “By working directly with users, we get a clear understanding of how to meet customer needs now and in the future as new technologies and challenges emerge,” Hawkins said. “Our customers are in the business of providing important public services. Studio One is all about, helping people help people.”

    Intergraph SG&I’s UX team will meet with customers for UX assessments during HxGN LIVE, Hexagon’s annual international user conference, in Las Vegas from June 1-4.

  • SimActive Provides Integrated Lidar and Photo Software to Altoa

    SimActive Inc., developer of photogrammetry software, has purchased the Correlator3D software by Altoa from French Guiana. The software will be used to process images and lidar data for the production of orthomosaics.

    “Following our recent acquisition of two digital cameras including the Phase One color and infrared, we needed precise, powerful, and versatile photogrammetric software,” said Walid Mostafa, manager of Altoa. “After analyzing the available tools, we decided to choose Correlator3D.”

    “We are pleased to see an important company in South America such as Altoa adopt Correlator3D,” said Philippe Simard, president of SimActive. “Their use of Correlator3D demonstrates the software’s ability to adapt to different production environments and to integrate a lidar sensor with a camera.”

    For a live demonstration at Commercial Unmanned Show Asia 2015 (June 30-July 1, Singapore), visit booth B10 or send an email to [email protected].

     

     

  • Esri Offers U.S. Flooding Map Following Texas Floods

    Esri-texas-flooding-O

    More than 11 inches of rain fell in areas of Texas and other nearby states on May 25-26, inundating homes and highways and bringing the southeast Texas city of Houston to a standstill.

    Esri’s U.S. Flooding Public Information Map provides continuously updated information from the National Weather Service showing:

    • Observed flooding locations
    • Current and forecasted precipitation
    • Flood warning areas

    Specific information provided includes flooding height and severity, and features can be identified with the stream gauge and weather watch layers.

     

  • Scene Sharp Unveils Fuze Go Integration with Spatial Modeler

    Scene Sharp USA has integrated its Fuze Go MS Sharp image fusion tool into the ERDAS IMAGINE Spatial Modeler software. Exhibiting at HxGN LIVE Las Vegas 2015, Scene Sharp will demonstrate how Fuze Go MS Sharp enhances the analytical recipes scripted in Spatial Modeler for automated applications such as Change Detection.

    “Scene Sharp is honored to be selected as partner, building upon IMAGINE Spatial Modeler,” said Kevin Marasch, Director of Business Development of Scene Sharp USA. “Our Fuze Go MS Sharp functionality can now be used as a key ingredient in the analytical recipes within Spatial Modeler.”

    The Fuze Go MS Sharp “lossless” satellite image-processing tool fuses visible and near-infrared multispectral data with high-resolution panchromatic data to produce images with unparalleled visual quality, sharpness and fidelity. MS Sharp pansharpens up to 30 bands of satellite image data consistently and accurately without losing spectral information.

    Part of the Hexagon Geospatial Power Portfolio, ERDAS IMAGINE is a full-feature raster image processing package, Scene Sharp said. The IMAGINE Spatial Modeler provides users with the tools — or ingredients — to build functions and create geospatial workflows — or analytical recipes — to extract information from raster image data. Spatial Modeler users may integrate Fuze Go MS Sharp into any custom analytical recipe built with the software.

    “We are impressed with the advanced image science Scene Sharp brings to our customers.” said Steve du Plessis, director of Remote Sensing at Hexagon Geospatial. “The IMAGINE Spatial Modeler provides the perfect vehicle to incorporate the algorithms into value-added workflows. The resulting enhanced images provide the best of both the spectral and spatial information contained in the data, improving interpretation, classification, change detection and many other analyses.”

    With version 2.2, Scene Sharp enhanced MS Sharp to improve the overall visual quality of the resulting imagery products even beyond their already impressive standards. In addition, Scene Sharp tweaked the many capabilities within MS Sharp that make it the most accurate and one of the fastest automated image fusion packages on the market today.

    Scene Sharp will be demonstrating Fuze Go software features within the IMAGINE Spatial Modeler in booth #213 at HxGN LIVE, the Hexagon International user conference being held June 1-4 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

  • Esri Releases ArcGIS 10.3.1 with Smart Mapping, 3D Content Sharing

    Complex-3D-objects
    3D Web Scenes.

    Esri has released ArcGIS 10.3.1, bringing new capabilities.

    Smart Mapping is an innovative approach for creating maps that is available through ArcGIS Online. Users can quickly style the features of a map to create useful and visually stunning maps every time, Esri said.

    3D Web Scenes allow users to view, create, and share 3D web scenes in a browser. Available in ArcGIS for Server and Portal for ArcGIS, users can share these scenes within their own infrastructure or make them public.

    With the ArcGIS 10.3.1 release, ArcGIS for Server with Portal for ArcGIS can now host web scenes and layers that include multipatch–based 3D models and symbology, such as photo-realistic buildings, trees, and visibility domes.

    For more details about what’s new in ArcGIS 10.3.1, visit the ArcGIS blog.