New features streamline photogrammetric workflows
HUNTSVILLE, Ala., Apr. 30, 2008 - Intergraph has introduced significant enhancements to its end-to-end earth imaging portfolio that will enable organizations to capture, process and manage high-quality images faster and more cost-effectively. Intergraph's earth imaging solutions include digital aerial cameras, flight management and post-processing systems, photogrammetric workstations and a full photogrammetric data exploitation software suite.
"The needs of our customers and the ever-changing demands of the photogrammetry industry continue to drive our product development to provide earth imaging solutions that are intuitive and comprehensive while delivering extremely high-quality imagery," said Klaus Neumann, camera systems product manager for Intergraph. "Today's advancements ensure that users of Intergraph's photogrammetry technology continue to benefit from ease of use, accurate results and high performance throughout their entire projects."
Currently, there are approximately 70 Intergraph digital mapping cameras (DMCs) in use throughout the world. Newly added features to Intergraph's image acquisition portfolio include a new solid state disc (SSD) readout station for field data copy with the DMC, as well as greater post-processing quality. The ability to copy and store raw image data in the field is an essential part of the photogrammetry workflow.
With the introduction of the SSD readout station, users can now copy 1,200 images from an SSD cartridge in approximately one hour through the simple push of a button from the office or the field.
Intergraph has also added new features to its photogrammetric workstation and camera mount. The latest version of Intergraph's 3D photogrammetric workstation helps optimize productivity with the addition of a widescreen 3D LCD display from Planar, which enables stereo viewing on flat panel monitors. With the newly-designed camera mount, optional external inertial measurement unit (IMU) signals can be used to control the mount, built-in diagnostics and self-calibration are conducted during the power up phase and mount angles can be read for global positioning system (GPS) lever arm correction. Additionally, there is no need for mechanical pre-orientation and users can disconnect the power switch from the cable during transport.
Alongside bolstering its camera components and workstation, Intergraph has made enhancements to its geospatial data production software suite that will result in even higher data quality, greater capacity to process larger volumes of data faster, and more flexibility through additional support for industry standard data formats. Specific new features include increased efficiency for processing projects with high relief terrain, the option to output a single design file for multiple models, and higher throughput and less processing time for large projects. The latest version also provides increased flexibility for sharing project data in a multi-user environment, support for the industry standard light detection and ranging (LIDAR) data format and support for additional compression formats, saving organizations valuable storage space.
"Beyond delivering high-quality digital imagery, the true value of Intergraph's photogrammetry solutions is that they provide a seamless and comprehensive photogrammetric workflow from data acquisition to processing and distribution," said Dr. Mostafa Madani, chief photogrammetrist at Intergraph. "Today's portfolio enhancements greatly advance the convenience and efficiency of utilizing Intergraph technology for each and every step of a photogrammetry project."
These enhancements are the latest innovations in Intergraph's long history of geospatially enabled information management. The Intergraph DMC was the industry's first large-format frame digital aerial camera and the first to be certified by the United States Geological Survey. Intergraph also offered the first airborne SSD storage system and will continue to evolve its technology to remain at the forefront of the industry.
