SOCET GXP Launch Manager

The SOCET GXP Launch Manager offers a convenient way to access all licensed modules available to SOCET GXP. To run SOCET GXP using all of the licenses available to you:

1. From the Workspace Manager, select File > SOCET GXP Launch Manager.
2. Select the check box for the first licensed module name on the list.
3. Scroll down to the bottom of the list.
4. Hold down the SHIFT key and select the check box for the last module on the list.

All licensed modules should now be checked. For SOCET GXP to remember all of the modules selected:

1. In the Quick Configuration section, check the Save as Collection check box.
2. For the Name field, enter a term such as “All.”
3. Check the Always use this Collection, if available check box.

Click the Launch button to run SOCET GXP with all of the modules you selected!

Using SOCET GXP for 3D-flythrough viewing allows analysts to visualize real-world scenarios by draping images over elevation data to capture, save, and play back the scenes for improved situational awareness and mission planning.

SOCET GXP flythrough functionality allows users to save flythroughs as graphics, or to record an .avi file to include in finished products.

Creating a flythrough in SOCET GXP

To simulate real-world scenarios for improved situational awareness, images can be draped over elevation data to provide 3D flythrough viewing options. Use the keyboard, mouse, or Flythrough toolbar controls to navigate through a scene dynamically in Automatic, Interactive and Orbit modes, or plot a flythrough path using waypoint coordinates. The dynamic flythrough scene can be captured, saved as an .avi file, and played back.

Creating a flythrough:

1. Load an image with a corresponding DTED into a Multiport.
2. Select Tools > Flythrough (Flythrough window opens in Interactive mode in a paused position).
3. In the Flythrough window, select View > Overview.
4. Click the Waypoint Editor icon.
5. Click the Draw Flythrough Path icon.
6. Click in the Overview window to plot path waypoints.
7. Right-click on Finish Graphic (Waypoint Editor populates with waypoint coordinates; scene shifts automatically to begin flythrough).
8. Click the Play icon from the Flythrough toolbar.
9. To save path, select File > Save As from the Waypoint Editor window.

Tip: The Overview panel linked with the flythrough, which contains the Flythrough toolbar, must be opened from the Flythrough window.

Interpolation Methods

Pixel interpolation is the process of determining a value for an unknown or new pixel, based on known, and typically nearby, pixel values. SOCET GXP supports four pixel interpolation methods for zooming and for generation of reduced resolution datasets (RSets). When selecting an algorithm for use, consider the time constraints and image quality requirements of the products to be created.

The following are the supported methods in highest complexity (slowest) to lowest complexity (fastest) order: lagrange, bicubic, bilinear, and nearest neighbor. The term complexity generally corresponds to image clarity; however this depends greatly on the raster dataset being interpolated, and the type of analysis to be performed.

Guidelines for use:

• Lagrange provides the best overall and best zoom-in quality
• Bicubic is a good choice when zooming out, but upon zooming in, the smoothing tends to blur the image
• Bilinear is a good option to use instead of the bicubic method if smoothing becomes a problem
• Nearest neighbor should be used for speed and performance only, as the quality results in rough, staircase edge artifacts
• Since bilinear is hardware accelerated, it provides good performance and decent quality
• The size and shape of a feature in the image does not matter, use any interpolation method
• For panchromatic or multispectral images, use any interpolation method
• For SAR data, lagrange is ideal to use with SOCET GXP
• More artifacts are evident in images with high contrast
• RSet generation is performed once, therefore, it is worthwhile to use a more complex interpolation method if a group of analysts will be spending time zoomed out on an image
• Zoom interpolation takes place each time you zoom in or out on an image; a faster algorithm is generally desirable
• Remember, what you see visually is a tradeoff between processing time and quality

The default RSet generation interpolation method is nearest neighbor. For better quality, change the interpolation method to lagrange for RSet generation. To set preference, from the Workspace Manager, select Tools > Preferences > Load/Unload > RSet Generation, or select b. You can also change the interpolation method from the Multiport main menu; select View > Zoom > Zoom Interpolation.

Interpolation method examples showing zoom
64:1 (1.562% zoom) lagrange	800% zoom lagrange
64:1 (1.562% zoom) bicubic	800% zoom bicubic
64:1 (1.562% zoom) bilinear	800% zoom bilinear
64:1 (1.562% zoom) nearest neighbor	800% zoom nearest neighbor

Interpolation method examples showing RSet generation

Whole scene zoom - lagrange

Whole scene zoom - nearest neighbor

Visual Coverage Tool (VCT)

To assist with data management, VCT is designed to display image and product libraries graphically in ground space for any geographic location.

Tips

• To clean up coverage display, click the image types to view. Each coverage type is color-coded to the corresponding coverage type button.

SOCET GXP Link Manager

The Multiport can display multiple panels to view and exploit imagery. A linked relationship can be created between multiple panels in the same or different Multiports. When linking multiple panels, panning, zooming, and rotating maintain the same center point in each panel.

Tips

• If panels to link are located in the same Multiport, click the Link Panels icon on the View toolbar to create a link. To break the link, click the Free from Relationships icon on the View toolbar.
• To automatically link images in separate panels within the same Multiport, access the Workspace Manager by selecting Tools > Preferences > Tools > Link Manager. Select the checkbox at the bottom of the page to link images automatically that are part of the same Multiport.
• To share annotations plotted in a linked relationship, check the Auto-Apply Graphics option in the Link Manager window.

Customize Multiport toolbars

The SOCET GXP Multiport provides access to all exploitation tools. View up to four panels of data in one or more Multiports; each panel can contain an unlimited number of data sets. Adjacent or overlapping images and shapefiles are quickly visualized in a single panel mosaic. Multiple images are stacked for temporal analysis.

Tips

• To change the properties for a group of selected graphics of the same type, use the Graphic Format toolbar.
• To save Multiport toolbar customizations as a preference, select View > Toolbars > Save Windows Layout as Preference > User Multiport.

Introduction

SOCET for ArcGIS, a SOCET SET module, adds stereo digitizing to ArcGIS; 3D information is captured directly in the ESRI^® environment. Users see their familiar ArcMap^® surroundings and Editor functions with a stereoscopic window for data collection, and SOCET SET manages image organization behind the scenes. Everything works in 3D, and photogrammetric expertise is not required. SOCET for ArcGIS works with the geodatabase, whether personal or multiuser, and handles versioning and topology. Users benefit from SOCET SET’s rigorous handling of airborne and satellite imagery – it embeds the photogrammetry into ArcMap.

Tips

Increase performance while loading graphics

Set the stereo viewport graphics mode to Limited. When set to Full, refreshing graphics will redraw every feature loaded in ArcMap, but when set to Limited it will only load features within the viewport.

Use the synchronize cursor functionality to navigate quickly to a feature in the stereo viewport from the ArcMap canvas

1. Map an accelerator key in ArcMap to the synchronize cursor function.
2. Toggle on ArcMap tools, press the accelerator key, and move to the feature of interest in the ArcMap canvas.
3. The stereo viewport will navigate to the image automatically as the cursor moves.
4. Once you have reached the area of interest, press the accelerator key again to turn off tracking and switch back to the stereo viewport to edit the feature.

Learn more about any SOCET for ArcGIS preference setting

Press the “what’s this” tool , and click on any preference.

Line of Sight

SOCET GXP allows users to view elevation data over imagery. To study an image in fine detail using SOCET GXP, evaluation tools for enhanced viewing are combined with a digital elevation model. The color and detail of the terrain being viewed are controlled through the terrain display preference node or through the terrain visualization properties window, accessible from the terrain visualization toolbar.

The terrain visualization toolbar is available on the Multiport via a right-click from the toolbar area on the Multiport.

Tip

To view terrain data without an image, select View > Visibility > Raster to turn the image on and off.

Hot-key hint

Press the F4 key to re-center the image on the Multiport to the current cursor position.

Loading a DTED for Terrain Visualization and Line of Sight evaluation

1. Display an image in the Multiport.
2. In Tools > Preferences, select Terrain > Auto DTED.
3. If the Auto DTED directory is not identified, select Add Path.
4. Navigate to your site’s DTED directory in the Browse for Folder window, and click OK.
5. Highlight the DTED path and click OK from the Preferences window.
6. From the Terrain Visualization toolbar, click the Auto-load Terrain icon.
   (If the Terrain Visualization toolbar is not displayed, right-click in the
   Multiport toolbar or menu area, and check the Terrain Visualization toolbar
   in the context menu).
7. Click the Terrain Properties icon to modify the DTED display appearance.
8. Select Tools > Line of Sight.
9. Modify Line of Sight properties, then click on the image to place the Line of
   Sight observation point. Line of Sight shows the area of visibility from the
   observation point.
10. Close the Line of Sight Properties window.

When working with several graphics of the same type, you can create multiple instances of the graphics in the Multiport, the main viewing and work space in SOCET GXP. You can also change a common property about the graphic that is reflected dynamically in each of the selected graphics of the same type. The following tips are helpful in accomplishing this task.

Tip

Double-click to select an icon from the Multiport Annotation toolbar to create multiple instances of the annotation in a Multiport. Similarly, in the Toolbox tab of the Graphics Manager, double-click on icons to create multiple instances of the annotations simultaneously in the Multiport.

Tip

To change the graphic properties for a group of selected graphics of the same type, use the Graphic Format toolbar.

Steps:

1. Start SOCET GXP, and load an image into the Workspace Manager.
2. Open the image into a Multiport window.
3. From the Annotation toolbar, select the Rectangle icon.
   
   

   Annotation Toolbar

4. Click and drag a rectangle in the Multiport panel (notice system cursor changes back to select mode after completion of single graphic drawn).
5. Double-click to select the Rectangle icon.
6. Click and drag several rectangles in the Multiport panel (notice system cursor remains in draw mode).
7. Press the Esc key to set system cursor back to select mode.
8. Press and hold the Ctrl key and mouse button; click to select all rectangles drawn (or press Ctrl+A).
9. From the Graphics Format toolbar, select the Fill Color icon and choose a color to fill all rectangles selected.
   
   

   Graphics Format Toolbar

   Note: If you select multiple graphics of the same type, and right-click for the context menu properties option, the properties option is disabled. The properties option is only available for a single graphic change.

Preferences may be created for individual users, entire organizations or multiple sites. The User Preferences file contains custom settings that control the appearance and operation of toolbars and Multiport windows, including size, shape, and location, as well as specific tools to include in each toolbar, which toolbars to display, and where the toolbars are placed within the Multiport. Preferences can be configured through the User Preferences file, or alternatively, as a shortcut, the easiest way to configure preferences for Multiport windows and toolbars is directly through the Multiport window. This allows the user to view changes dynamically on the screen rather than exiting the Preferences file menu each time a new preference is set. The following steps illustrate how to customize toolbars and Multiport windows in SOCET GXP via the Multiport window.

1. Start SOCET GXP and load an image into the Workspace Manager
2. Open the image into a Multiport window and associate an Overview window with that image. This is done by right-clicking on the image and selecting Open > Multiport and Overview.

   Note: A Multiport window is where users view their data and gain access to all of the exploitation tools necessary for analysis and product creation. The name Multiport was derived from the term “Multi-Purpose Viewport,” and epitomizes the extreme flexibility that the software offers. The Overview window is a Multiport window that has been scaled down in terms of size and functionality. A user may add or remove functionality to the Overview window.
   

   

   Multiport and Overview

3. The image is now open in both Multiport and Overview windows. The next step is to resize the primary Multiport window to your satisfaction. This is done by dragging the corner of the Multiport window to a specific size. If you are running a dual display configuration, you may want to move the Multiport to another display.
4. Repeat this step with the Overview window.
5. The next step is to review the list of toolbars and activate or deactivate each checkbox based on need. To configure toolbars go to View > Toolbars > Customize. This allows you to add or remove individual pieces of functionality to suit your requirements. You may also experiment with the arrangement of each toolbar.
   
   

   To configure toolbars go to View > Toolbars > Customize.

   
   Once the Multiport and Overview are sized and placed correctly and the toolbars have been customized to your specifications, it is time to update the Preferences file with this information.
6. Click on View > Toolbars > Save Window Layout as Preference. You will notice several options available. First select either User or Common Multiport. If you would like all of the analysts who use SOCET GXP to use this window configuration, select Common to add to the common Preferences file. To activate individual preferences for each user, select User.
   
   

   Click on View > Toolbars > Save Window Layout as Preference.

7. Do the same for the User or Common Overview.
8. Now the Multiport and toolbar configuration is part of your Preferences file. Future changes can be made from the Multiport window by selecting View > Toolbars > Save Window Layout as Preference.