GXP Mosaic

Find-in-scene algorithm, one of several new algorithms added to SOCET GXP v3.1 for hyperspectral and multispectral image processing

SOCET GXP v3.1 continues focusing on full integration of image analysis and geospatial analysis in one versatile product. Core functionality has been refined to improve the overall user experience and boost production. New high-performance image-analysis and geospatial production features are more efficient and intuitive.

In response to customer requests for fusing multiple data types, SOCET GXP v3.1 offers new on-the-fly terrain analysis capabilities. Additional image exploitation enhancements are included for video analysis, hyperspectral and multispectral image analysis, and the new Xport™ — a specialized Multiport™ that displays an image with up to 16 linked panels to give users a new way to create multiple image processing configurations for in-depth analysis.

To accommodate the expanding SOCET GXP user base, BAE Systems has opened free hands-on training centers in Reston, Virginia; Tampa, Florida; St. Louis; Denver; and San Diego. A new training facility is scheduled to open in Cambridge, U.K., in 2010. Analysts everywhere are experiencing the power of eXtreme Analysis™ with SOCET GXP, adopting it as their tool of choice for advanced geospatial intelligence reporting.

SOCET GXP v3.1 is scheduled for release on December 18, 2009, and is available upon request. Please contact a sales or customer support representative for details.

SOCET GXP® v3.1 usability enhancements at a glance

SOCET GXP v3.1 flip tool

SOCET GXP® is designed to simplify workflows and make the software easy to use for every kind of task. When merging photogrammetry into mainstream image analysis, ease of use is particularly important. Many intuitive features are added to SOCET GXP v3.1 to aid analysis. A new flip tool enables quick browsing through stacked graphics, eliminating the need to hunt, zoom, and precisely click on a graphic for editing; cursor enhancements designate roaming direction; and the void pixel removal process deletes black edges that appear with non-square imagery when using Ortho On-the-Fly™ or Virtual Mosaic tools for mosaicking.

Reference imagery and maps such as DPPDB, CIB®, and CADRG can be automatically loaded into a Multiport for greater situational awareness when working with data sets that cover a small field of view. This imagery can be used as a control source for glove align, registration, or triangulation processes. Other enhancements include double-click to center and zoom; auto annotation improvements; enhanced image display, and reduced load, zoom, and pan times. In addition, speed and quality for RSET generation are substantially improved.

• Flip tool: offers a quick visual way to access data and select feature graphics that may be cluttered after dense collects.
• Interactive range and bearing tool: creates, measures, and labels lines drawn on an image to indicate length and direction.
• Bracket tool: automatically measures and annotates features when selecting end points that define the feature.
• Zoom tool: zooms an image to a map scale (such as 1:100 or 1:2000) and computes the equivalent screen zoom level (for example 30 percent).
• Auto load map and image background: opens map and image backgrounds that correspond to data loaded in the Multiport for greater situational awareness.
• Roam cursors: compass rose cursor specifies the four standard geographic directions and directional cursor designates 16 standard geographic directions, plus the digital roam direction.
• Ground cursors: distance rings and compass rose cursors provide geographic direction and proximity information.
• Hide void pixels: removes unwanted edge pixels for Ortho On-the-Fly™ and Virtual Mosaic processes.
• Jump-to-point coordinates: recognizes common coordinate formats from third-party applications.
• Graphic annotation: generates map labels based on system information and image metadata.
• Text annotation: adds options for defining text styles (such as font, color, and size) for individual characters.

The SOCET GXP release enhancements document will be available soon on the GXP Web site.

SOCET SET® users can learn how to perform their current SOCET SET workflows in SOCET GXP®. We encourage current SOCET SET customers to attend free training classes at our regional training centers to see how SOCET GXP automates geospatial production workflows. Many complex photogrammetric processes such as aspect and slope analysis, terrain profiling, line-of-sight analysis, and creating seamlines (see example below) are automated in SOCET GXP, which is designed to simplify workflows. The three-day, hands-on SOCET GXP for the geospatial analyst course offers a comprehensive overview of SOCET GXP’s geospatial production tools, including triangulating images to improve geospatial accuracy, creating and editing terrain files and updating geodatabases with 2-D and 3-D features.

Creating and reshaping seamlines in SOCET GXP

The process for creating and reshaping seamlines is streamlined in SOCET GXP.

1. Right-click on a vertex and select Reshape a segment.
2. The cursor changed to Rubber Band mode.
3. Click on the vertex to finish the reshape graphic. The seamline is highlighted. Shift the cursor over the two segments to choose the polygon to which you wish to add your reshaped segment.
4. Right-click and select Finish Graphic.

Right-click on a vertex and select Reshape a segment.

The cursor changed to Rubber Band mode.

Click on the vertex to finish the reshape graphic. The seamline is highlighted. Shift the cursor over the two segments to choose the polygon to which you wish to add your reshaped segment.

Right-click and select Finish Graphic.

In SOCET GXP, Seamline Edit does not have its own window; it is an extension of the Workspace Manager and Multiport™ and automatically enables special editing functions in the Multiport.

• The images above are orthorectified on-the-fly and mosaicked to show the mosaicking as accurately as possible.
• Editing functions are: add vertex, delete vertex, move vertex, reshape segment, delete polygon, and select image.
• The Multiport supports dynamic image rendering during polygon editing. Therefore, as any vertex is moved or created, the image related to the polygons is redrawn.
• To save, right-click the seamline file in the Workspace Manager and select Save.

With the addition of the Microsoft® Office Fluent™ user interface, which features the customizable Ribbon, SOCET GXP streamlines product creation. Frequently used features can be added to the customizable Quick Access Toolbar and traditional menus and toolbars are replaced with tabs that display commands relevant to each task. Contextual tabs appear only when needed, revealing expanded capabilities and advanced functionality — features are never turned off or hidden by default. In addition, complex algorithms are executed behind the scenes.

SOCET SET end users can experiment with demo versions of SOCET GXP in their unique work environments and work with BAE Systems to communicate the photogrammetric processes they would like to see in future versions of SOCET GXP. In addition, to assist in making a smooth transition from SOCET SET to SOCET GXP, all SOCET SET customers with current upgrade entitlement are eligible to receive a free six-month SOCET GXP evaluation license that can be run in parallel with SOCET SET.

SOCET SET licenses can be converted to equivalent functionality in SOCET GXP.

SOCET GXP v3.1 includes enhancements for image quality.

Core SOCET GXP^® v3.1 features are refined to improve the user experience and boost production. New high-performance image-analysis and geospatial-production tools are more efficient and intuitive. In response to customer requests for fusing multiple data types, SOCET GXP v3.1 offers on-the-fly terrain analysis capabilities. Additional image exploitation enhancements are included for video analysis, and the Xport^™ — a specialized Multiport^™ — displays an image with up to 16 different linked panels to give users a new way to create multiple image-processing configurations for detailed analysis.

Other highlights are a high-definition Video Analysis tool, algorithms for processing hyperspectral and multispectral imagery, optimized terrain-analysis tools, and support for new sensor models.

Tracking a vehicle using the new Video Analysis tool.

Video analysis at a glance

BAE Systems developed the Video Analysis tool to give analysts a convenient way to work with video and transmit critical data and reports to decision-makers. The latest innovations in video compression provide remarkable quality from the smallest amount of video data. Analysts see crisp, clear, high-definition video in much smaller files, saving bandwidth and storage costs. The user-friendly interface has a customizable toolbar with standard video controls for play, pause, stop, fast-forward, reverse and frame-by-frame.

Advanced controls are provided for slow-motion or frame-by-frame metadata search and review and video bookmarks are used for playback and analysis. Image enhancements can be applied on-the-fly for brightness, contrast, saturation, hue, sharpness, smoothing, and edge-detection. Additional object-tracking tools manage real-time coordinates, speed, and bearing.

Video metadata can be viewed graphically or in text format, with a head-up display (HUD) superimposed on the video. With a single click, users capture still frames into the SOCET GXP Multiport analysis window. SOCET GXP provides geopositioning to allow fusion with other geospatial data types such as terrain, features, and other images. All functionality available for images can be applied to video still frames in SOCET GXP.

Learn more about the SOCET GXP Video Analysis capability >>

Highlights include:

• New satellite sensor models: Cosmo-Skymed, TerraSAR-X, RADARSAT-2, EROS-B, FORMOSAT-2
• New frame sensor model, including 43 parameters for self-calibration and expanded exterior orientation
• NGATE: simultaneous bare-earth terrain-model and surface-model generation as part of the same automated extraction
• Precise high-resolution surface models of urban environments — even in urban canyons
• New enhanced tools for automatic filtering of trees and buildings from the surface model

Download the SOCET SET v5.5 Release enhancements brochure.

SOCET GXP^® v3.1 continues on the path to full integration of image analysis and geospatial analysis in one software application. Terrain, imagery, and image enhancements account for 42 percent of the updates. This version incorporates additional photogrammetric processes — a majority of SOCET SET’s functionality.

The new SOCET GXP Xport features up to 16 linked preview panels.

The Xport™, a specialized Multiport that provides a palette of up to 16 preview panels, is among many compelling new features planned for SOCET GXP v3.1. This viewing and exploitation window is designed for advanced image analysis using multiple image enhancements in real time, with a focus on efficiency. Each of the panels is linked; views change as the user roams in the main viewer, and multiple enhancements are shown on the same image simultaneously. Additional Xport highlights:

• Each preview panel shows a duplicate of the image in the parent reference Multiport panel with a different custom processing chain applied.
• Processing chains include different band selections, band math, enhancements, analysis algorithms, or derived products.
• Each panel is dynamically linked for panning, zooming, and rotation with other panels and the parent reference panel.
• Users can create multiple configurations for the Xport and select the appropriate configuration for the data in the parent Multiport panel.

The Xport and other new SOCET GXP v3.1 features such as the flip tool, auto annotation, slope aspect, and Web services tools will be demonstrated throughout the year at industry tradeshows and events. The software is scheduled for release in late 2009.

New Frame-Advanced sensor model

The Frame-Advanced sensor model replaces the existing Frame sensor model in its entirety. It allows exterior orientation data produced by third-party triangulation packages to be imported into coordinate systems that are not local space rectangular. The new sensor model contains 43 adjustable parameters, compared to 18 from the previous Frame sensor model. Therefore, certain types of frame cameras can be modeled more authentically, resulting in more-accurate triangulation. The new sensor model allows for self-calibration of the physical parameters and can correct for IMU boresight misalignment and GPS antenna offset.

The process of importing images for the new Frame-Advanced sensor model is exactly the same as the previous Frame sensor model, including the use of the Frame import button. All previous import file formats for the Frame sensor model are still supported, except for the SOCET SET GPS file format, which was substantially modified.

New satellite sensor models

• ALOS AVNIR
• ALOS PALSAR
• ASTER
• COSMO-SkyMed
• EROS-B
• FORMOSAT-2
• RADARSAT-2
• TerraSAR-X
• GeoEye^®-1
• WorldView-1

SOCET SET^® v5.5 overview

• Supports SOCET GXP^® v3.1
• Build environment: Microsoft^® Visual Studio 2008
• Sun^® Microsystems^® Sparc Solaris™ 10 support
• Microsoft^® Vista and XP 32/64 support
• Applanix DSS 439 digital frame camera
• New Frame-Advanced sensor model
• Numerous new satellite sensor models
• Simultaneous generation of digital terrain and surface models
• Supports Leica USB TopoMouse™, USB Stealth mouse with joystick, and ITAC Systems’ evolution Mouse-Trak™ trackball

Access the complete list of SOCET SET v5.5 release enhancements:
www.socetgxp.com/docs/products/socetset/socetset5-5_release_enhancements.pdf

SOCET SET v5.5 features new enhancements to NGATE including automatic extraction of a digital elevation model (DEM), digital terrain model (DTM), or both.

Automated terrain generation in SOCET SET v5.5

SOCET SET^® provides two options for automated terrain generation — the Automatic Terrain Extraction (ATE) and Next-Generation Automatic Terrain Extraction (NGATE) modules. In SOCET SET, ATE and NGATE are sold as separate modules (in SOCET GXP^®, ATE and NGATE are combined into one application, and sold in the Automatic Terrain Generation, or ATG module). Both ATE and NGATE are used to generate digital terrain models (DTM) and require at least two images with an image overlap region:

• Use with one or more stereo pairs
• Images do not have to be viewed in stereo
• Must be accurately triangulated

DTM generation in SOCET SET v5.5

DTM display types

A SOCET GXP^® software update is scheduled for late 2009. SOCET GXP v3.1 offers enhanced graphic performance for easier point measurement, graphic and image display enhancements, hyperspectral and multispectral (HSI and MSI) processing, new terrain analysis tools, and video analysis capabilities. The video component includes image metadata to provide feedback on georeferencing for precise geographic orientation.

SOCET GXP v3.1 HSI and MSI processing.

SOCET GXP v3.1: HSI and MSI

• Reflectance calibration
• Supervised classification algorithms
• Anomaly detector
• Spectral change detector
• K-means clustering
• Dark current removal
• Destriping
• Pan sharpening
• PCA algorithm
• ISODATA clustering algorithm
• Spectral unmixing
• GMAD: Google^™ Maps application programming interface for digitizing

SOCET GXP v3.1 video analysis.

SOCET GXP v3.1: video analysis

• Live video mosaicking and stabilization
• Real-time geo-registration
• Resolution enhancement
• Video storage and dissemination with synchronized metadata
• Dissemination and reporting
• Simultaneous multi-platform and heterogeneous exploitation
• Video displayed over a map with overlays
• Platform agnostic playback
• Extensive image and video format import and export
• Measurement and annotation tools

SOCET SET^® v5.5 offers new functionality to increase data sharing, enhancements for the frame sensor model, additional satellite sensors, and new terrain tools. The release is scheduled for late April, with shipping to commence in May.

Enhancements to the frame sensor model allow exterior orientation data from third-party triangulation packages to be imported into non-local space rectangular (LSR) coordinate systems. The new frame sensor model includes 43 parameters for self-calibration and expanded exterior orientation. Frame import supports the new Applanix^® DSS 439 medium format, 30-megapixel, 6.8 μm pixels digital frame camera. New satellite sensor models include ALOS AVNIR, ALOS PALSAR, COSMO-SkyMed, EROS-B, FORMOSAT-2, RADARSAT-2, and TerraSAR-X.

BAE Systems continues to advance its Next-Generation Automatic Terrain Extraction (NGATE) functionality to provide simultaneous bare-earth and reflected surface model generation. In addition, Interactive Terrain Edit (ITE) tools have been enhanced for bare-earth product generation from reflected surface models. The new release supports SOCET GXP^® v3.1, Microsoft^® Visual Studio 9 (2008), and the Microsoft Vista operating system.

Frame sensor model theory: A closer look

• All Grid coordinate systems are mapped without transformation.
• Rigorous transformations through the World Geodetic System (WGS)-84 coordinate system are maintained allowing coordinate conversions to any SOCET SET supported coordinate system.
• Provides compatibility with third-party software packages for all Grid coordinate systems.

WGS is a standard used in cartography, geodesy, and navigation. The latest revision, WGS-84, is the reference coordinate system used by GPS.

SOCET GXP establishes the union of image analysis and geospatial production in one software package.

BAE Systems released SOCET GXP^® v3.0 in October 2008. The update provides new functionality that allows users to reduce the dependency on multiple tools to record and analyze ground features. Today, image analysis (IA) and geospatial analysis (GA) production, which include second-phase product generation, are becoming integrated. SOCET GXP v3.0 combines image analysis and geospatial analysis in one software package for eXtreme Analysis™ (XA™). With SOCET GXP, the XA is empowered to complete IA and GA tasks using a single application. Accurate products can be created quickly with automated tools.

What is SOCET GXP?

SOCET GXP is a versatile geospatial-intelligence (GEOINT) tool that uses imagery from commercial, satellite, and tactical sources to identify and analyze ground features. With SOCET GXP, users can automatically measure, annotate, store, and retrieve ground features in a series of images to expedite geospatial production, image analysis, and map creation. The data can be used to monitor changes over time, manage utilities and communications networks, facilitate infrastructure design and development, and coordinate operational missions.

“First responders and deployed forces generally have about 30 minutes to build detailed GEOINT products such as topographic image maps and target charts,” said Rob Stout, geospatial exploitation product manager for BAE Systems in San Diego. “Integrating image and geospatial analysis into one comprehensive system reduces equipment, training, operating, and maintenance costs, making SOCET GXP extremely user-friendly.”

The software currently is used on the frontlines in Iraq and Afghanistan, and systems integrators
working on National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency programs are using it to produce GEOINT products. The U.S. Army has procured SOCET GXP for Army-wide implementation into its Imagery Workstation baseline for operational units, establishing the software as its primary GEOINT exploitation tool.

SOCET GXP v3.0 is available on Microsoft Windows and UNIX^® Solaris™ 8, 9, and 10 operating systems.

SOCET GXP at a glance

SOCET GXP is the next generation of true geospatial-intelligence production technology, enabling interoperability among users and decision-makers at all levels. Its intuitive, customizable interface provides a suite of automated analysis and production tools, and direct access to shared databases and extended capabilities within the software. Information generated from SOCET GXP can be used to satisfy long-term operating and maintenance requirements. By providing all of this rich functionality in one intuitive product, BAE Systems empowers organizations and commands to consolidate resources, increase productivity, and save money.

SOCET GXP eXtreme Analysis™ capabilities:

• Access Google Earth™ for dynamic viewing and 3-D color visualization.
• Connect to the ESRI^® geodatabases to create, store, and share geographic information.
• Use common databases to query previously exploited information.
• Complete complex workflows with automated geospatial production tools for orthorectification, triangulation, and digital terrain model creation.
• Create finished map products and output results to PowerPoint^® or GeoPDF^® formats.

More information on SOCET GXP v3.0:
www.socetgxp.com/content_products/socetgxp/index.htm

SOCET SET^® v5.4.1 was released one year ago. Following the November 2007 release, several patches have been posted for download, which include bug fixes and enhancements. Over the next few months, SOCET SET v5.4.1 will continue to be patched. Some of the most substantial patches to date are listed below.

• NVIDA driver version 178 supports Microsoft^® Vista for stereo. Initial testing results with SOCET SET v5.4.1 look promising. Check the BAE Systems GXP Web site, www.baesystems.com/gxp, for further updates and news regarding hardware supported.
• Import WorldView-1 and GeoEye^®-1 imagery in NCDRD format; WorldView-1 launched September 2007 and GeoEye-1 in September 2008, both with a spatial resolution of approximately 0.5 m.
• Import Radarsat-2 for RPC and rigorous sensor modeling; launched December 2007 with a spatial resolution of 3 to 100 meters.
• Import TerraSAR-X; launched June 2007 with a spatial resolution 1 to 18 meters.
• Import orthos with MAPLOB/GEOLOB metadata.
• Numerous bug fixes and enhancements for the FPE replacement.
• CIB-like* and DPPDB-like* product certification by the Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC) for NITF 2.0.

* SOCET SET Digital Point Positioning Data Base (DPPDB) format production module [which uses MIL-PRF-89034, March 1999 format specifications] and SOCET SET Controlled Image Base^® (CIB) format production module [which uses MIL-PRF-89041, May 15, 1999, format specifications].

The SOCET SET v5.5 release is planned for April 2009. New functionality scheduled for this release includes:

• Capability to import COSMO-SkyMed constellation data. Satellites were launched in June and December 2007, and October 2008, all with a spatial resolution less than one meter.
• New frame sensor model for ingest of exterior orientation data into non-LSR grid coordinate systems.
• Improved self-calibration and IMU/GPS constraints for frame imagery in Multi-sensor Triangulation module.
• Interface to GAIT (Geospatial Analysis Integrity Tool) for quality assurance and validation of collected feature vectors.
• Integration with the USB version of the Leica TopoMouse™.

NOAA NGS has updated the FAA surface model library to include the new AC18 surface. Therefore, BAE Systems has implemented the new source code into the SOCET SET^® ClearFlite^® module, and the changes are included in the 2008_1015 patch.

BINGO is compatible with SOCET SET^® v5.4.1, and new BINGO dongles were issued for BINGO v5.5. This version includes a new software protection module and requires new dongles for all BINGO users who wish to upgrade. New dongles have been distributed to customers with active Upgrade Entitlement (UE) status. However, to fully convert the permanent BINGO licenses to the new dongles, UE customers must return old dongles to BAE Systems GXP and Dr. Erwin Kruck.

For a BINGO user who is not covered by a current UE agreement and finds that an old-style dongle has become inoperable, BAE Systems can replace that dongle with another old-style dongle from inventory. Erwin supports the old dongles and will generate license files for approximately two more years to fulfill warranty obligations. At the end of the two-year period (approximately June 2010), old-style dongles that are broken or damaged will not be replaced.

Cardinal Systems has built VrOne^® v3.6.00 for SOCET SET v5.4.1. This update is now available to SOCET SET^® VrOne users with current UE status.

BAE Systems discovered that VrOne for SOCET SET must be installed and executed on a Windows^® XP English system. It runs without problems if language localization is activated, but odd behavior occurs with VrOne for SOCET SET on Windows XP systems that have used the native language installation rather than the localization. This problem appears to the related to the use of the two-byte character set common with Asian languages, so it may not be an issue with other one-byte, non-English character sets (for example, German, French, and Spanish).

It’s possible that the problem resides within VrOne, SOCET SET, QT, or Windows XP Korean. The “Windows XP English with Korean Localization” configuration eliminates the problem. However, it is still documented as an outstanding issue to resolve.

The SOCET GXP v3.0 Multiport image viewing and exploitation window, shown with the new Ribbon user interface.

SOCET GXP v3.0 features new design

SOCET GXP^® v3.0 features a brand new look and feel based on the Microsoft^® Office Fluent™ user interface. The new user interface — the way it looks, the way it’s organized, and the way users interact with it — is designed to simplify workflows and make the software easier to use for every kind of task.

Before reviewing the details of the new SOCET GXP v3.0 user interface, it is important to understand why it has changed, and the goals for adopting the new user interface. The main reason for changing the user interface is that SOCET GXP had outgrown the traditional menu and toolbar system. With each release, as new features were added, the software was becoming progressively more difficult to navigate. The SOCET GXP v2.3.1 Multiport had more than 1,000 commands on nearly 40 toolbars, menus, and submenus that were four-to-five levels deep. To keep the software from overwhelming the user, less frequently used toolbars and individual tools had to be turned off as part of the default toolbar configuration. As a result, users did not recognize many advanced features and customers were asking BAE Systems to add features that the software already had.

Furthermore, it was becoming more challenging to add new functionality to SOCET GXP. Each new release added additional menus and toolbars to the clutter. As SOCET SET^® functionality was transferred to SOCET GXP v3.0, the engineering team noticed that there was no room to accommodate the functionality. The menu and toolbar system was full.

Fortunately, Microsoft had identified similar problems with Microsoft Office and was working on a solution — a new user interface for robust applications. The Microsoft Office Fluent user interface introduces a new way of working with large-scale applications. It organizes tools and uses contextualization to simplify the number of choices available at any given time, and provides a scalable platform to build on for the future.

A tour of the new SOCET GXP^® user interface

The main component of the new user interface is called the Ribbon. The Ribbon organizes tools in tabs that correspond to each task. The tools on each tab are grouped by function, and many of the tools are labeled to make them easy to identify.

Ribbon components include: (1) SOCET GXP button, (2) tabs, (3) groups, (4) commands, and (5) Quick Access Toolbar.

The Ribbon

The main component of the new user interface is called the Ribbon. The Ribbon user interface organizes tools by tabs that correspond to each task. The tools on each tab are grouped by function, and many of the tools are labeled to make them easy to identify.

Ribbon components include: (1) SOCET GXP Button, (2) tabs, (3) groups, (4) commands, and (5) Quick Access Toolbar.

The Ribbon stretches across the top of the Multiport viewing window and includes the following components:

1. The SOCET GXP Button is the round button with the SOCET GXP logo on it, located in the upper-left corner of the Ribbon. It replaces the File menu. All workflows begin and end here.
2. Tabs are designed to be task-oriented. The Home tab contains basic commands for using the application. Other tabs are organized by task.
3. Groups within each tab break tasks into subtasks. Each group contains a set of related commands that support the selected tab and tasks.
4. Commands within each group are represented by controls like buttons, sliders, and combo boxes. The controls work the same as they did in earlier versions of SOCET GXP.
5. The Quick Access Toolbar is the only customizable portion of the Ribbon. It is used to display the commands used most often in a particular workflow. The user can add any command on the Ribbon to the Quick Access Toolbar by right-clicking on it and selecting the Add to Quick Access Toolbar option.

Contextual tabs

To maintain an organized workspace, some tabs are contextual and are displayed only when relevant to the current task. For example, the Graphic Tools tab, which contains commands for changing a graphic’s color, line style, or fill pattern, appears when a graphic is selected. Therefore, if a graphic is not selected, these commands are not shown on the Ribbon. Contextual tabs bring functionality to the user’s attention at the most appropriate time, and keep functionality out of the way when it is not needed.

Contextual tabs are a different color to make them easy to identify when they appear. The top screen features regular tabs, the bottom screen highlights contextual tabs.

Dialog Launchers

Some groups on the Ribbon include a small icon in the bottom right corner called a Dialog Launcher. A Dialog Launcher provides additional options or advanced functionality related to a group of commands.

Dialog Launcher icon.

For example, to draw a graphic, the user refers to the Shapes group on the Draw tab. All graphics associated with drawing shapes are located here. If the desired shape is not displayed, the user can click the Dialog Launcher to see the full set of shapes available in the Drawing Toolbox.

Scalability

SOCET GXP v3.0 operates on many different systems, from laptops with small screens to desktop systems with multiple 30-inch monitors. Therefore, the Ribbon is designed to be scalable. It can automatically scale up or down depending on the size of the Multiport window. If the window is wide, the Ribbon makes use of the extra space by labeling commands and replacing small icons with large icons to eliminate excessive mouse clicks. If the window is smaller, the Ribbon packs more information into less space by dropping labels, replacing large icons with small icons, and ultimately collapsing groups into a single drop-down button.

Unlike the former toolbar configuration, no matter how large or small the Multiport window is, the Ribbon height never varies. Previously, when a user resized the window, toolbars would often wrap to the next line, which shifted the tools. When a user resizes a window that has a Ribbon, all of the commands remain in the same relative position. This makes it easy to find and select commands, no matter what size the window is.

Minimizing the Ribbon

For people who use SOCET GXP v3.0 on a computer with a small screen, such as a compact laptop, the Ribbon can take up valuable screen space. In previous versions of SOCET GXP, you could turn off most or all of the toolbars to minimize the footprint of the user interface and maximize the viewing area. In SOCET GXP v3.0, this can be accomplished by minimizing the Ribbon.

Conclusion

One of the goals of SOCET GXP v3.0 is to help users do their jobs more efficiently. The new user interface achieves this by organizing the tools in a way that makes sense to users. The Ribbon gives users the tools they need when they need them, and hides tools that are not relevant to the task at hand. There are many other new tools that help users navigate the SOCET GXP v3.0 application. For example, the Quick Access Toolbar and Mini Toolbars make command access quick and efficient for mouse users, while KeyTips allow keyboard users to access commands with a minimum of keystrokes. As a result, users will find it much easier to do their jobs with SOCET GXP v3.0.

FPE workflow in SOCET SET.

The front-end processing Environment (FPE), which has been in use by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) since 1997, is due to be replaced by SOCET SET^® v5.4.1 at the end of September. FPE, which is a UNIX^®-only system, currently provides the vital NGA requirement for geopositioning, and creates Digital Point Positioning Data Base (DPPDB) format production module* and Controlled Image Base (CIB)^® format production module* products for U.S. troops in the field. These digital map products are used for terrain analysis, and to determine precise image coordinates such as latitude, longitude, elevation, and other image data for simulation, targeting, and mission planning operations.

SOCET SET^® engineers have been steadfastly porting more than 200,000 lines of FPE code into the product’s baseline since SOCET SET v5.2, and have provided a multitude of improvements over the current FPE software along the way. Not only will the new system be Windows^® compatible, but the workflows have been streamlined to provide a much easier means of creating the DPPDB-like and CIB-like products. SOCET SET also introduced the use of the Condor^® distributed processing system to improve throughput for computation-intensive portions of the workflows.

The NGA is integrating SOCET SET software into its integrated exploitation capability (IEC) workstations for the version 6.1.2 release. IEC recently received NGA approval for its Initial Operating Capability to replace FPE. The next step is for NGA to approve Final Operating Capability (FOC), which is expected at the end of September, 2008. There is still a lot of hard work left to do, but if FOC is approved, the entire FPE system soon will be retired and replaced by SOCET SET.

* SOCET SET Digital Point Positioning Data Base (DPPDB) format production module [which uses MIL-PRF-89034, March 1999 format specifications] and SOCET SET Controlled Image Base^® (CIB) format production module [which uses MIL-PRF-89041, 15 May 1999 format specifications]

Are you ready to become an eXtreme Analyst^™ (XA)?

SOCET GXP v3.0, scheduled for release in August 2008, fuses image analysis and geospatial analysis into one flexible software package designed for ease of use, enhanced performance, and unprecedented accuracy. All of the functionality you need for comprehensive analysis, geospatial production, and mapping is available in one complete package. Notable additions in SOCET GXP v3.0 include photogrammetric functionality, the intuitive Microsoft^® Office 2007 Ribbon user interface, and workflows designed to maximize productivity. Enhancements range from simple tools such as the drag-and-drop glove cursor, which aligns images and features, to more complex tools for fully automated triangulation (image registration). The new Ortho On-the-Fly orthorectification and mosaic process allows imagery to be corrected for accurate exploitation of registered imagery, terrain, and vector data.

Enhance your performance and become an XA with SOCET GXP v3.0 — the ultimate software for rapid mapping, visualization, and analysis.

SOCET GXP customers will be pleased to learn that we have developed a new, four-tiered system to simplify licensing. We understand that the methodology currently used for licensing is confusing — not only to customers, but for GXP Sales and Support teams as well. With as many as 70 modules to account for, the current system for managing licenses is not ideal.

Therefore, starting with SOCET GXP v3.0, we are introducing a new license schema, with add-on modules at the top two tiers. In this new scenario, licenses will be issued with or without dongles. SOCET SET v5.4.1 licenses are compatible with SOCET GXP v3.0.

The four license tiers are as follows:

• SOCET GXP v 3.0 GeoElement^™
  Entry level; replaces SOCET GXP v2.3.1 Base
  Workspace management, data in multiple formats, 300 coordinate systems and 100 geodetic datums, image viewing, full continuous roam, four-corner mensuration, ground coordinates, image enhancement, chipping, minification, and annotation.
• SOCET GXP GeoFoundation^™
  Advanced; replaces SOCET GXP v2.3.1 Base and Core
  Advanced viewer with linked panels, area of interest, basic analysis, annotation, auto roam, chipping, clipboard, load, print, SEE Basic Extraction, pan-sharpening, terrain loading/display, histogram, advanced/classified sensor models, Ruler, Control point editor, advanced query and attribution for feature extraction, GeoPDF^®*, and Metadata Editor.
  * Requires a license from TerraGo
• SOCET GXP GeoFusion^™
  Replaces SOCET GXP IA Bundle and SOCET SET Core
  Visual Coverage Tool (VCT), Image Comparison, Registration, Video Play and Capture.
• SOCET GXP GeoAnalysis^™
  Replaces SOCET GXP v2.3.1 IA Advanced
  Stereo, HSI/MSI, Map Finishing, Flythrough, and Ortho On-the-Fly.

SOCET GXP v3.0 licensing add-on modules

SOCET GXP v3.0 licensing add-on modules

Look for more information on new licensing in the coming months.

A SOCET SET v5.4.1 patch is available which includes an enhancement to read MAPLOB/GEOLOB georeferencing information for NITF orthophotos from AGP/ADSS. It also contains FPE replacement fixes to support dual ops.

UrbanModeler includes special volumetric topology tools: snap to roof, grouping, snap to face, face and vertex sharing.

UrbanModeler is a new add-on module used to construct 3-D building and city models from imagery. The module offers a quick and easy way to create, measure, and store 3-D models. Completed site models can be exported in a variety of formats including shapefiles, SOCET SET/SOCET GXP feature database (FDB), OpenFlight, and Open Inventor.

UrbanModeler has a built-in 3-D stereo viewer; an impressive suite of volumetric tools for many building and road types; and pre-defined templates. Cue cards are employed as interactive instructional aids to assist users in dropping points in the correct sequence. Currently in the final testing phase, UrbanModeler for SOCET SET v5.4.1 will be available in June 2008.

Cardinal Systems has built VrOne v3.6.00 for SOCET SET v5.4.1. VrOne SOCET SET users with active Upgrade Entitlement (UE) should have received the email announcement stating the details of this update.

  

Sample images from WorldView-1 satellite. SOCET SET and SOCET GXP are capable of ingesting and exploiting DigitalGlobe’s satellite data for analysis and feature extraction, triangulation, terrain extraction, orthophoto generation and other image and mapping products.

Sample images from WorldView-1 satellite. SOCET SET and SOCET GXP are capable of ingesting and exploiting DigitalGlobe’s satellite data for analysis and feature extraction, triangulation, terrain extraction, orthophoto generation and other image and mapping products.

DigitalGlobe’s WorldView-1 satellite, launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base on September 18, 2007, operates at an altitude of 496 kilometers, with an average revisit time of 1.7 days. It is capable of collecting up to 750,000 square kilometers (290,000 square miles) per day of half-meter imagery. The satellite is also equipped with state-of-the-art geolocation accuracy capabilities, 6.5 m (21 ft) CE 90%, and exhibits stunning agility with rapid targeting and efficient in-track stereo collection.

WorldView-1’s 50-centimeter panchromatic imagery is designed to support applications ranging from map publishing and land management to asset monitoring and emergency response planning. Because DigitalGlobe’s system features allow it to efficiently collect over 475 million square kilometers of imagery data annually, DigitalGlobe populates and updates its image library with impressive speed. Stereo data collected from WorldView-1 will be available soon.

GXP products, SOCET SET and SOCET GXP, are capable of ingesting and exploiting DigitalGlobe’s satellite data for analysis and feature extraction, triangulation, terrain extraction, orthophoto generation and other image and mapping products. The imagery from DigitalGlobe is provided to GXP users in Standard and Basic product formats as well as NCDRD (RPC or Rigorous).

For more information about WorldView-1:
www.digitalglobe.com/index.php/86/WorldView-1

For more information about DigitalGlobe imagery:
www.digitalglobe.com/index.php/48/Products?product_category_id=9

Synchronized viewing with SOCET GXP and Google Earth

SOCET GXP v2.3.1 features all of the functionality required to satisfy typical image analysis production workflows. This release adds seamless integration and synchronized viewing with Google Earth, and introduces a direct, bidirectional link to the ESRI geodatabase or SOCET SET feature database for dynamic viewing and editing of feature data. New in SOCET GXP v2.3.1 is Spatially Enabled Exploitation (SEE), designed to enhance image exploitation by creating attributed ground space graphics in a connected enterprise geodatabase environment. SEE allows the analyst to answer critical questions using spatial, attribute, and temporal queries. In addition, smart vector attribution supports external ESRI multi-user/personal databases, shapefiles, and SOCET SET feature databases. AutoSOCET adds an autonomous geospatial analysis workflow: automated triangulation, terrain data generation, orthorectification, and mosaicking.

SOCET GXP’s fundamental photogrammetric architecture is complete, and we are well on the way to full integration, moving the remainder of SOCET SET’s functionality into SOCET GXP, which has the same rigorous sensor models as SOCET SET, for highly accurate georeferencing.

ALOS

SOCET SET v5.4.1 features a wealth of productivity enhancements for creating and editing high-resolution terrain and surface models, including improvements to the Next-Generation Automatic Terrain Extraction (NGATE), which was introduced in v5.4.0.

The NGATE module, which produces near LIDAR quality terrain models from optical imagery, has been shown to reduce editing time by more than 30%. Numerous new tools for the Interactive Terrain Editor (ITE) module increase productivity for creating bare-earth terrain models from NGATE and LIDAR data. In addition, enhancements to SOCET SET’s Feature Extraction (FE) and SOCET for ArcGIS® (SFA) modules have been implemented based on customer requests. For example, automatic height attribution includes an option to measure a point to set height attributes when terrain data is not available. Moreover, SOCET SET’s unrivaled provision of advanced sensor models continues with new models for the NextView satellites, WorldView-1 and GeoEye^™-1, as well as ALOS, EROS B, and FORMOSAT-2. Further productivity improvements have been made throughout the SOCET SET workflow. All of these new capabilities reduce labor hours through optimized, end-to-end workflows, resulting in significant cost savings throughout the mapping process.

SOCET GXP v2.3 features all of the functionality required to satisfy typical image analysis production workflows. This release adds seamless integration and synchronized viewing with Google Earth, and introduces a direct, bidirectional link to the ESRI geodatabase or SOCET SET feature database for dynamic viewing and editing of feature data. Also new in SOCET GXP v2.3 is Spatially Enabled Exploitation (SEE), the NGA initiative designed to enhance image exploitation by creating attributed ground space graphics in a connected enterprise geodatabase environment. SEE allows the analyst to answer critical questions using spatial, attribute, and temporal queries. In addition, smart vector attribution supports external ESRI multi-user/personal databases, shapefiles, and SOCET SET feature databases.

AutoSOCET adds an autonomous geospatial analysis workflow: automated triangulation, terrain data generation, orthorectification, and mosaicking.

Other notable features include:

• Graphical situational display (GSD) capabilities and import, editing, and export for Graphrep/IRR MIL STD 2525 symbols
• NITF image ingest and NITF format file save with SPIA tags; image products can be ingested by the NGA Image Product Library (IPL)
• Auto-populated templates, Ruler, CGS and stereo mensuration, and image chipping
• Multispectral imagery (MSI) container creation in combination with custom per band or per image LUT application offers additional flexibility for image analysis
• New terrain visualization tools for thorough image analysis

SOCET GXP’s fundamental photogrammetric architecture is complete, and we are well on the way to full integration, moving the remainder of SOCET SET’s full functionality into SOCET GXP, which has the same rigorous sensor models as SOCET SET for highly accurate georeferencing.

Click here for a comprehensive summary of SOCET GXP v2.3 release enhancements, as well as those planned for SOCET GXP v2.3.1.