Vexcel Imaging GmbH, a Microsoft company, launched its next version of the UltraMap workflow software. UltraMap 2.0 continues the tradition of providing a flexible and scalable distributed system for managing and processing vast amounts of UltraCam data.

The features of UltraMap 2.0 are implemented in five modules:

Framework
Raw Data Center
Radiometry
Viewer
Aerial Triangulation

UltraMap includes features for managing data download, distributed processing using load balancing and resource management, aerial triangulation, and interactive data visualization for quality control. Use of Microsoft’s Dragonfly technology enables incredibly smooth and high-resolution image browsing and zooming for very large sets of data content. Dragonfly supports multi-channel 16-bit UltraCam imagery for high quality visualization within the complete photogrammetric workflow.

Aerial triangulation has been integrated smoothly into the workflow, and includes new radiometry with gamma and levels dialog. The other new features are concentrated in the Raw Data Center and the Radiometry modules. Of particular note, “Monolithic stitching” is a new feature of the Raw Data Center that improves geometric image accuracy by a magnitude for unstructured terrain. In the Radiometry module, UltraMap 2.0 introduces model-based radiometric correction that enables users to eliminate hotspots, atmospheric effects and haze.

“I am proud of the accomplishment this product release represents for the Vexcel Imaging team,” notes Alexander Wiechert, Business Director of Microsoft and Managing Director for Vexcel Imaging GmbH. “It provides much richer functionality, and it supports our customers’ businesses by enabling easier, faster image processing and better overall results.”


About Vexcel Imaging, GmbH
Acquired by Microsoft Corporation in May 2006, Vexcel Imaging GmbH brings 20 years of photogrammetry expertise to Microsoft’s Bing Maps business unit and is at the heart of the burgeoning Microsoft Photogrammetry business. The company’s offerings include its series of UltraCam digital aerial mapping cameras and the UltraMap workflow software.