GIS Services

Two Methods for Planimetric Feature Extraction

2010-11-27T11:16:00.000+05:30

History tells the story of explorations of man to various places and geographies. They start with charting maps and cons of places they see from the mountain tops and describe the way to reach those places. This curiosity of man has resulted in the modernization of mapping technology to make their explorations easier and fine. Of the modern mapping technologies, Satellite and aerial imaging is spoken much to give high quality expressions of geographic features. The planimetric features can be best represented by implementing the satellite and remote sensing technologies. In this article we will look at various methods employed to extract precise planimetric features.
Planimetric features are the features that explain the irregularities on a plane. To capture the features perfectly there are two types of methods employed, namely monoscopic and stereoscopic. In monoscopic method it is generally 2D feature extraction, while in stereoscopic method it is 3 D feature extraction. Both these methods have found applications in wide number of industries. Today’s map makers and cartographers depend on these methods to build their maps with topographic and cartographic features.
Monoscopic Method composes of comparison of various radiometric and geometric data with their impact on resulting images received from panchromatic SPOT and airborne SAR. In Monoscopic Processing, the result will be a map with representation in XY co-ordinates alone. It has generally three processes for creating a Cartographic map. They are
1. Merging of Image and Digital Elevation Model (DEM)
2. Rectification Process
3. Planimetric Feature Extraction Ortho-image Generation
4. Planimetric Feature Extraction
5. Mapping with XY Cartographic Co-ordinates
In this method, Digital Elevation Model or DEM is generated through processes such as interferometry, stereoscopy, contour lines digitizing, etc. The output of DEM will acquire some errors. These errors will be carried over to the subsequent processes in Monoscopic Processing. In addition, the process of re-sampling in rectification will result in obscure radiometric and geometric features and thereby interpretability of the images.
In stereoscopic method, the 2D images of the objects are compared and merged to create a 3D virtual stereo-model. This stereo model is then used to create 3D maps with planimetric and altimetric features. The features are extracted and expressed in 3D, i.e., in XYZ cartographic co-ordinates. Stereoscopic processing is a five-step processing.
1. Merging of 2D images
2. Relative and Absolute Orientation Process
3. Generation of Virtual Stereo-model
4. Planimetric or Altimetric Feature Extraction
5. Mapping with XYZ Cartographic co-ordinates
The output of Stereoscopic method is more accurate in planimetric features because it uses more than two images from a single sensor or different sensors. Furthermore, the virtual 3D models and stereo plotting of images help to directly extract of planimetric and altimetric features in the map system.
Concluding, monoscopic and stereoscopic methods are the two methods used for planimetric feature extraction. Both have diverse processing inputs and methods. Therefore, the results of monoscopic and stereoscopic processes vary to a great extent. Although, the precision of stereoscopic method is more precise, monoscopic process results are more commonly used because of its economical advantage.

Satellite Imagery and its Applications- A Brief

2010-11-22T12:17:00.001+05:30

In the past few decades, the satellite technology has seen a quick growth as many countries joined the parade for exploring the vastness of satellite usability. The applications of satellite have impacted almost all sectors equally, owing to the ease in communication flow. Satellites have caused the improvement of information database available for standardizing many technological implementations. The database enhancement coupled with geographical imagery has made it a ‘tool-to-use’ in Geospatial arena. In this article, we will discuss about Satellite Imagery and its application in various industries.
The Satellite Imagery is one of the essential off-products of satellite technology. The history of Satellite Imagery dates back to the late 1960s when the US launched the first-ever remote sensing satellite, Explorer 6. It took large number of imageries of Soviet Territories. In the later years, satellite imagery was used for various constructive projects. At the same time, there were developments in satellite photography techniques, which gave much more precise information about the geographical territories. With increasing number of remote sensing missions, satellite imagery has played important role in building data sources for many future development and intelligence programs.
Adoption of satellite imagery for mapping has helped to hone the specific requirements in information gathering about geographical and weather details. The use of satellite images have helped to track essential information in maps about geospatial distribution, weather forecasting, land survey, utilities planning and implementation, etc. It has exceeded the expectations of geospatial analysts, who at earlier times used aerial photography for any kind of geospatial purposes. Orthophotos generated from these images have been put in use for variety of world class events like Olympics, Commonwealth Games, etc. for security and infrastructure development planning. Live satellite imagery maps help in Intelligence, crime tracking, traffic monitoring, human and vehicle tracking, and much more. Apart from that, it has vast applications in education, research, warfare, infrastructure development, geospatial survey and analysis, town and country planning, etc.
With the development of Color Infrared (CIR) and Multispecteral (MS) imagery and other latest photographic techniques, satellite images have become clearer and give approximately to-the-point perfection. Today, the satellite images are produced with high resolutions. The resolutions of satellite images used for remote sensing are generally classified in to four types, namely spatial, spectral, radiometric, and temporal. Spatial resolution is the pixel size measuring of the image resolution. The Spectral Resolution is calculated by measuring the wavelength width of different frequency bands recorded. Radiometric resolution is the measure of number of intensities of various bands received by the satellite sensors and the temporal resolution is the frequency of revisit on a particular geographic area by a satellite.
Concisely, satellite imagery is a great help for enhancing futuristic and sustainable projects. The applications of satellite imagery are impacting all fields. In the coming years, we can expect greater technological sophistications in satellite photography. This can lead to a revolution in the GIS industry and thereby increase the scope of GIS application in wide number of arenas. So let’s hope for great beginnings ahead.

Digital Elevation Model- An Important Geo-dataset

2010-11-03T10:39:00.000+05:30

In geological studies and research, Digital Elevation Model (DEM) is an important dataset. A high-quality DEM can act as a multi-purpose dataset for the researchers and enterprises. However, such elevation model generations can be very expensive and complicated. To make the production process simpler and less expensive, we can preferably change the DEM output by understanding the requirements of the application and the expected results. The preciseness of the digital elevation model can be chosen according to the use of the dataset.
Here we will discuss the generation methods of digital elevation models (DEM) appropriate for different types of geospatial studies and research and regarding the selection of the elevation models. Before starting, let us have the basic understanding that DEM is the rough figure of geography. They may vary in form and style with respect to the purpose, quality of data and operator’s experience. That is why, as mentioned above, we have to choose the DEM based on its use.
For the research work and studies, there is no need for highly accurate or an in depth elevation model. The DEM used for drawing contour lines or marking the geographical features should be smoother and easier to calculate the aspects of slopes. In hydrographical networks modeling, the DEM should have greater accuracy. The overview of mountains and other geographical features can be made after a meticulous and detailed study of the geography and the creation of DEM.
Before the generation of DEM, we should understand the characteristics and the needs of end-users. The outputs should be in line with the user’s expectations of its usability and cost. The DEMs can be precast or customized. For selecting the right type the user should have a rough evaluation of various elements of DEM such as parameters of quality, lineage, completeness, etc. These evaluations help the user to predict the right model that will suit the project.
The quality of the DEM generation depends on the software used for it. It plays an important role in creating the right characteristics and features in DEM. Geographical details should be accurate in detailed studies and researches. The derivatives of the output may be drainage, cost surface, path simulations, etc. These derivatives should be accurately projected or pointed to provide excellent outputs. To precisely predict the slopes and other elevated features a robust algorithm should be employed.
Many times, Digital Terrain Model (DTM) and Digital Elevation Model (DEM) are confused for similarity. In effect, both are two different processes. While digital elevation model emphasizes the slopes on a landscape, DTM details the characteristics of the terrains and heights of the landscape. In other words, DTM is the two-dimensional model of the DEM.
Concisely, Digital Elevation Models are one of the modern geo-datasets. They are useful for geographical studies and research. DEMs can be chosen according to its purpose. The quality of DEM depends on the software tools used for model generation. If we can have high quality elevation models, the studies of geographical features can be conducted in detail.

Photogrammetry-Integrating Mapping and Technology

2010-10-07T10:34:00.002+05:30

Today, mapping is not just handwork of artists; time has revolutionized the technology, bringing about innovation that repeats to an unforeseen future. People no longer take pain drawing irregular curves and corners in maps using their pencils and sketches, rather they convert the digital images of geography into information tools and maps. In this scenario, discussing on reliable mapping technology like Photogrammetry is promising and incisive.

Photogrammetry, in general, is the latest available technology, which helps to shape, orient, size and position objects from numerous pictures taken at different angles. It is widely used in Geospatial arena to produce topographic maps, which includes both orthophoto maps and line maps. These maps help to determine the accurate position, height, width, orientation, and shape of geographical features. Pictures generated after photogrammetry are photochemical images or photoelectric images depending upon the photographic methods followed in the process. The output of photogrammetric analysis can be numbers, drawings, geometric models and images. Photogrammetry is used for different purposes, such as topographic mapping, architecture, engineering, manufacturing, quality control, investigation, and geology. This technique is employed to combine live action with computer generated imagery in movie post-production.

Photogrammetry process includes two key processes- Orthorectification and Remote Sensing. Orthorectification is the technology employed to transform the central projection of the photograph into an orthogonal view of the ground, thereby removing the distorting effects of tilt and terrain relief. Remote Sensing is used to acquire geospatial information about earth’s surface using the reflective and refractive properties of electromagnetic radiations (EMR). In a way, both are distinctive parts of photogrammetry offering the technology for substantiating map information.

The by-product of orthorectification process is orthoimage or orthophotos. Digital satellite images and aerial photographs play a vital role in general mapping, as well as GIS data acquisition and visualization. The orthorectification process provides you a solid visual effect and a basis for gathering spatial information. The output generated would then enable you to do functions like making direct and accurate measurements of distances, angles, positions, and areas. Through remote sensing spectral, spatial, and temporal information about material objects, area, or phenomenon is acquired. In other words, remote sensing enables space information transfer without direct physical contact with the objects, or area, or phenomenon under investigation.

While these two technologies are nodal in photogrammetric services, there has been continuous improvement in the technologies used for mapping. The arrival of high speed desktop computers has made remarkable changes in the photogrammetric processes over the years. However, the basic principles have remained the same until this day. Today, a graphics program allows the operator to digitize the features and save the vectors and points to a digital file. The latest technologies used for photogrammetry services include Aerial triangulation, Digital Elevation Model (DEM)/ Digital Terrain Model (DTM) generation, Stereo compilation, Topographic and planimetric feature extraction, Orthophoto production, Color balancing, Mosaicing and tile generation, Pan Sharpening, Contour Generation, and LiDAR data processing.

Concisely, Photogrammetry helps to collate accurate information to topographic maps and thereby provide reliable resources for geographical studies. With the introduction of new-age fast processing systems and technological advancements, we can expect simplification of photogrammetric services and enhancement of Geospatial information System (GIS).

CAD - The Best Tool For GIS

2010-10-07T10:27:00.002+05:30

World is turning around on the wheels of scientific and technological development. Far reaching the nukes and corners of this universe, technology has impacted people in one way or the other. With consistent development of science, we can see a far-fetching and futuristic application of technology in all landscapes. Geospatial Information System (GIS) has got its pace of growth because of the advancements in technology.

Cut-loosing the conventional trends in GIS, technology have impacted the functioning, framing and development of geospatial data. New technical innovations implemented in line with scientific inventions convey solutions to complexities faced in processing and enhancing the geospatial database. Development of computer aided designing (CAD) was a major turn in the events of technological invasions in to GIS. It catered to specific demands for having accurate and crystal-clear information on geographical boundaries, land covers, built area, town and city plans, utility services, and more.

CAD Services help to convert geographical images and maps into informative tools and thereby help researchers, structural engineers, geo surfers, intelligence agents, town planners, etc. to have customized geospatial information system. CAD services have found vast applications in various domains and have helped implementation of many crucial projects of public prominence. With ever-growing expanse of geography in all industrial sectors, CAD services can help proper management and maintenance of projects.

By introducing sophisticated technology, many companies in India have been providing excellent CAD drafting services to clients far off from their land. With very less overhead costs, Indian companies support the outsourcing client with significant cost advantage. CAD Outsourcing service providers focus on giving value to customers through the CAD Services and provide quality outputs. Their capabilities and expertise in honing the geographical data adds precision and credibility to data provided through GIS maps. Apart from designing and drafting, outsourcing service providers offers CAD conversion services. Through GIS CAD conversion services, the geospatial data available in hardcopies and other old formats can be converted in to client-specific digital formats. The CAD conversions are of various types including GIS to CAD Conversion, Paper to CAD Conversion, Scan to CAD Conversion, CAD Drafting, DWG Conversion, DGN Conversion, etc.

Outsourcing is advantageous to companies requiring CAD services. Firstly, the company gets an upper hand in controlling their costs, thereby add more revenue to the business. The expanding broadband networks in India are a major advantage to companies because it allows high speed access and quick execution of projects. Short turn-around-times and value added services can benefit the CAD projects in a big way. Well- learnt resources in India are another advantage. In the nutshell, CAD outsourcing can help the outsourcing companies to receive high-quality outputs.

In fact, CAD services are a quintessential application that can help the public and private enterprises. Added to the benefits of CAD, a cost advantage operation can make CAD services effective and economical. Outsourcing of the CAD services can have lasting impact in every arena where it is applied. With the continuing development of instruments, tools and technique, we can expect much more from CAD services. So let’s hope for “the better than the best” of Computer Aided Designing.

Expanding the Geo Space for a Tomorrow

2010-10-07T10:09:00.003+05:30

The GIS industry is finding a new place among the other sectors. Trips to the claimed location are often tiring, expensive, and time consuming. Mapping out the general space is imperative to analyze, evade, and rectify any error, thus bettering the environment for a safe future. Exploring the role of GIS in mapping the topography of the area of interest or residence is very vast, yet interesting.

The GIS maps are multi-layered and informative maps which gives an overview on land use and cover, elevation and slopes, utilities, etc. The geospatial information data are acquired and coordinated to use it at public and private sector. Science, technology and aesthetics are integrated to generate an informative GIS map. Some of the commonly developed maps are Contour maps, Utility Maps, Spatial Maps, Cadastral Maps, Atlas Maps, Thematic & Zonal Maps.

The mapping process involves the integration, editing, analysis, sharing and displaying of geospatial information using the technique of cartography and the database technology. GIS technologies use GIS tools and its application to develop various maps based on Land cover and use, Utilities, Oil & Gas, Agriculture, Forestry, Transportation, Tax parcel, etc. GIS Maps are used to create zoning plans for future development, determine environmental conditions, residential, industrial and commercial purpose, develop maps of cities and towns, etc.

The major GIS Mapping service providers enable companies to plan, design, manage and create spatial databases. The aerial photographs, satellite imagery, paper maps, or surveyed data, of varying scales and quality are digitized using the latest technologies and best-of-breed equipments, thus ensuring accuracy and quality in the final output.

GIS generated maps find a range of advantages like quick access and analysis of information and statistics and easy comparison of data for different pipelines and topography. Digital maps are generated using the advanced GIS technology. The information data on various positions on the earth’s surface are captured, stored, integrated, manipulated, analyzed and displayed for easy access and utilization by the user.

The skilled geospatial experts attend to features like land cover information, hydrology, roads, (geometries like points, lines and polygons, and their attributes) on a map. The scales of a map are taken into prime consideration as they carry the information content in a map. Some of the popular mapping services include:
1.Contour Mapping services – assess areas affected by floods and forest fires, real estate planning and development, Fleet and logistics management, market analysis, navigation and positioning, etc.

2.Parcel Mapping Services - ownership of properties and related information, land administration, property registration by urban & rural governing organizations, municipality planning and Urban development, etc.

3.Utility Mapping Services - recording and maintenance of public utility transmission lines such as water mains, telephone lines, power lines, gas mains, etc.

4.Cadastral Mapping Service - precise information on location, dimensions, geographical classifications, road, plot, railway lines, water bodies, vegetation, of an area.

5.Thematic & Zonal Map - physical, social, political, cultural, economic, sociological, or agricultural aspects of a city, state, region, nation, or continent.

Concluding, the advent of technology has helped to far exceed the realms of GIS by integrating geospatial information with digitally generated maps. Today, various GIS tools are equipped to render the GIS mapping services to clients belonging to various domains, with highest clarity, accuracy and quality. These innovations led to a much improved information system for the aerial analysis of topographic features that are readily available to us for a better tomorrow.

LiDAR Data Processing And LiDAR Mapping Services

2010-10-05T15:44:00.001+05:30

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Broadening the GIS App Platform

2010-09-28T15:38:00.001+05:30

Today, the GIS industry runs on a generic process-centered methodology and is finding wide application in diverse fields. The increasing availability of spatial data systems and rapid growth in GIS technology are being employed by the businesses as a unique route for optimizing operational efficiencies.

With far reaching geospatial applications in use, organizations worldwide are using this technology to transform manually generated maps and its descriptive information into digital databases which can be used in applications to manage utility distribution networks, track agricultural drought conditions, conduct census, create floodplain maps, monitor pollution, plan alternative traffic patterns, redraw voter districts.

The growing demand for Geographic Information System (GIS) has widened its application to data conversion, application development, web application development, mobile applications, data mining and data migration. The GIS Application Development services serves various industries like Forestry, Electric and Gas, Retail, Mobile mapping, Mining, Pipeline, Agriculture, Defense, Hospitality and Tourism, Water Resource, Education, Emergency Disaster Management, Logistics, Insurance, Real estate, Public Safety, Telecommunication, Banking and Finance Services, etc. The technically skilled and experienced software developers create customized applications to meet the requirements of these diverse industries. They optimize multipurpose software procedure, including customized programming codes.

Custom GIS applications are developed based on specific needs and requirements of the clients, regardless of the type of intricacies involved. Based on the requirements and an outright analysis of the core problem, the software developers create solutions with the functionality specified. These solutions are based on commercial or open source programs. Most of the application developers function according to a work flow, which generally consists of eight main modules. They are:

Business Modeling
Specification and Requirements
Analysis and Design
Coding and Implementation
Testing
Deployment
Project Management
Configuration and Change Management

GIS Application Development services are deployed by users belonging to government agencies, research institutions, businesses, health institutions, land use planning organizations, and environmental study institutions. They create customized software applications to provide solutions on information storage, remote sensing, spatial pattern identification, and visual presentation of spatial data. The data is made available to a large number of users, data collectors, specialists and community participants, via web interface.

GIS Applications are tailored to implement thematic information systems that collect, cite, visualize, exchange and propagate statistical report using survey and indicator data. Accurate visualization of data through tables, maps, raster images and graphs is provided.

Various state-of-the-art technologies have been identified, designed, and implemented for use in diverse GIS applications. The multiple tools utilized for the application development generally includes Arcserver, Geoserver, Mapserver, penLayers, GoogleMap API, Arc SDE, Arc Objects, Map Objects, Flex API, Mapfish, MapNik, Ka Map, MapWindow GIS with visual studio.net, Arc Object, Map Object in visual studio.net, C#.net,VB.net, etc.

In conclusion, GIS tools that were once affordable only to the largest organizations, have now become a cost-effective option for even the smallest organizations. Efforts are being made by the global GIS application developers to build newer and advanced applications that can bring major enhancements to existing application systems. Major developmental techniques are also being formulated to optimize the spatial data sharing framework and to make it more accessible to a wide range of users in the near future.

Join this discussion about Google Instant

2010-09-16T09:52:00.003+05:30

Hai friends,
Join this discussion on Webmaster forum...
Does the new feature provided by Google, "Google Instant" kills SEO???
http://www.v7n.com/forums/seo-forum/210430-does-google-instant-kills-seo.html#post1486096
Feel free to express your ideas....

Check this site!!!!

2010-09-03T14:30:00.003+05:30

Hi all,
Am happy to inform you all about my Jimdo site named Photogrammetry-GIS. Have a look and check all those articles regarding Photogrammetry and GIS Services. please click here to get details.

GIS Application Development

2010-08-31T12:26:00.003+05:30

Today, GIS, which is generic in nature, is finding wide application in diverse fields. The increasing availability of spatial data systems and rapid growth in GIS technology are being employed by the businesses as a unique route for optimizing operational efficiencies. An extensive knowledge on the vendor technologies like Database Servers, Map Servers, Web servers, Terminal Servers, Desktop clients, Business specific application layers, and Third party applications, and the integration of each component of the system are required to address the data and its application layers. The entire system is formulated based on GIS analysis of many layers of geographic information.

The growing demand for Geographic Information System (GIS) has in turn widened its application to data conversion, application development, web application development, mobile applications, data mining and data migration. The GIS Application Development services are extended to various application sectors like Forestry, Electric and Gas, Retail, Mobile mapping, Mining, Pipeline, Agriculture, Defense, Hospitality and Tourism, Water Resource, Education, Emergency Disaster Management, Logistics, Insurance, Real estate, Public Safety, Telecommunication, Banking and Finance Services, etc. The technically skilled and experienced software developers create customized applications to meet the requirements of diverse community. They optimize multi-purpose software procedure, including customized programming codes.

Custom applications are developed based on specific needs and requirements of the clients, regardless of the type of intricacies involved. Based on the requirements and an outright analysis of the core problem, the software developers develop solutions with the functionalities specified. These solutions are based on commercial or open source programs. Most of the developers function according to a workflow, which generally consists of eight main modules. They are:
1. Business Modeling
2. Specification and Requirements
3. Analysis and Design
4. Coding and Implementation
5. Testing
6. Deployment
7. Project Management
8. Configuration and Change Management

GIS Application Development services are deployed by users belonging to diverse communities, government agencies, research institutions, businesses, health institutions, land use planning organizations, and environmental study institutions. They create customized software applications to provide solutions on information storage, remote sensing, spatial pattern identification, and visual presentation of spatial data. The data is made available to a large number of users, data collectors, specialists and community participants, via web interface.

GIS Applications are custom tailored to implement thematic information systems that collect, cite, visualize, exchange and propagate statistical report using survey and indicator data. Accurate visualization of data through tables, mapping, raster images and graphs is provided. Some GIS software are employed for geospatial data analysis and management, spatial modeling, image processing, graphics/maps production, visualization, etc.

Various state-of-the-art technologies like SWING, Socket, RMI, JDBC, Java Beans, Java Servlets, Map Objects 2.2, Map Objects LT, Arc Objects, OpenMapTM, MapXtreme 2008, etc. are employed to organize and integrate data geographically. Advanced tools like Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Express Edition, Net Beans IDE 6.0.1, Eclipse, etc. are exploited to develop GIS software applications to various services like Geo-referencing, Geo-coding, Land use Mapping, Parcel Mapping, Utility mapping, DEM/DTM generation, Digital Analysis of Aerial data, Orthorectification and more.

Efforts are made by the application developers to build newer advanced applications which can bring major enhancements to existing applications. Major enhancements are also done to optimize the spatial data sharing more accessible to a wide range of users in the coming years.

SBL Undertakes A Temporal Study On Wetlands

2010-08-09T17:23:00.003+05:30

Today am very much happy to inform you all about the new temporal study by SBL about Kole Lands of Kerala

SBL Undertakes A Temporal Study On Wetlands

SBL has ventured into a new temporal study, this time, in the coastal region of Kerala. Satellite imageries are being analyzed over the last four decades to find the decadal variations in the land use of Kole lands of Malappuram and Trissur Districts in the state of Kerala, India.

The Kole lands of Kerala are one of the largest and highly productive wetlands and are also the most threatened one. The word “Kole” refers to a peculiar type of paddy cultivation carried out during December to May, every year, and the word in local language indicates ‘bumper yield’. These wetlands are low lying tracts situated at 0.5 to 1 m below the MSL and remain submerged for more than 6 months in a year. This Vembanad Kole wetland is a part of the Ramsar site, as declared in the year 2002.

Reclamation and changes in land use pattern are the most serious problems in the Kole lands. Nowadays, the Kole lands are being converted to coconut, areca nut, banana and other cash crop plantations at an alarming rate, thus forming a threat to a variety of migratory birds that use this unique ecosystem as their seasonal abode. Peculiar species of flora and fauna demarcate the importance of these wetlands.

Wetlands are ranked third among the most productive ecosystems and are valuable source sinks and transformers of a multitude of chemical, biological and genetic materials. These ecosystems are considered as the “Kidneys of the earth” for their natural cleaning mechanisms through biogeochemical cycles. In short, these ecosystems have been reported to prevent floods, trap sediments, sink nutrients, source water, recharge ground water, protect shoreline, abate pollution, regulate biogeochemical cycles, and enrich the biodiversity.

For this study, existing topomaps, cadastres and other administrative maps have been georeferenced and vectorised to supplement the imagery data. Land use classification has been carried out after extensive ground truth verification. Based on the change pattern, modeling will be carried out to predict the land use for ten years later.

LiDAR Services - LiDAR Mapping,GIS LiDAR Data

2010-07-27T10:33:00.003+05:30

LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging data) is one of the growing technology in the IT industry, which is finding its application in the fields of remote sensing, Geographical Information System (GIS), Archeology, Meteorology and Atmospheric Environment, 3D mapping, Imaging, Military and law enforcement, Physics and astronomy, Biology and conservation, Vehicles, etc.

LiDAR system works on the optical remote sensing technology to measure properties of scattered light in order to estimate the distance and/or other information of a distant object. LiDAR technology employs the laser pulses to track the distance to a target object or surface. The time lapse between transmission of the pulse waves and reflected signals are measured for this purpose.

LiDAR technology, which is an anthology of components like laser, scanner and optics, photo detector and receiver electronics, and position and navigation systems, can collect dense and accurate information from surfaces or terrains. The LiDAR Data Processing system is used to create exceptionally detailed terrain models like DEM ( Digital Elevation Model), TIN (Triangulated Inverse Network), DTM (Digital Terrain Model) and other surface models.

LiDAR services provided by some companies have a team of highly skilled technical staffs and 3D analysts who toil to produce high level of accuracy in modeling the earth’s surface. A vast amount of data-sets, knowledge, hardware and software is required to develop high resolution models.
LiDAR has given a new sophisticated dimension to the surveying and mapping sector. The LiDAR Mapping and surveying is used for forestry, flood risk mapping, oil & gas exploration surveys, power line transmission or pipeline corridor planning, construction surveys, real estate development, coastal zone mapping, wetlands and other restricted access areas, urban modeling, etc. The ALSM (Airborne Laser Swath Mapping), laser altimeter or LIDAR Contour Mapping are some of the major application areas of LiDAR. The airborne LiDAR sensors are used in remote sensing (e.g. forestry) to create point clouds of the earth ground for further processing.
LiDAR Data Processing is employed by GIS for data management, 2D & 3D viewing of topography and earth’s surface features, filters processing, process reporting and meta data creation. LiDAR services provided by some companies utilize LiDAR to model the earth’s surface in detail. LiDAR Data Processing is used for:
Automatic feature extraction and making Digital Terrain Models (DEMs)
Topographic mapping
Fly-through generation
Wireless communication design
Volumetric calculations
Modeling systems like oil and gas pipelines for maintenance and status evaluation
Forestry management & inventory of canopy attributes for evaluation of crown diameter, canopy closure, and forest biometrics
Cut and Fill calculations for engineering projects like dams, tunnels and roads
The GIS LiDAR data utilizes GIS tools like GRASS (Geographic Resources Analysis Support System) to process elevation point data and generate the surface models and contours. The LiDAR Data Processing is executed through two major steps – Data Pre Processing and Data Post Processing. The data is acquired by geo-referencing the aerial photography, satellite imagery, or existing maps. The data codes are written using C++, Visual Basic and ESRI map project tool.
The acquired data undergoes further processing for detailed analysis. After filtering the data of its noises, it is stored in the LiDAR file formats like ASCII format or LAS format. ASCII is mainly used in the GIS field. This format contains x, y and z values that give the longitude, latitude and elevation data. The data delivered should confer the accuracy standards like ASPRS Large Scale Mapping Standard and the National Spatial Data Accuracy Standard.
The improvised version of ASCII, the LAS (Log ASCII Standard) format, is still on the verge of real massive application in the GIS field. LAS format is a binary file which stores x, y and z values in the raw format or as header block, variable length records, and point data. Like Radar, LiDAR Data Processing is also making new developments to spread its application level to a wider spectrum.

GIS Mapping Services

2010-07-19T11:38:00.004+05:30

The integration, storage, editing, analysis, sharing, and displaying of geographical information by merging cartography and database technology is known as GIS Mapping. In other words, GIS Mapping uses GIS application to develop cartography maps.

Electronic maps are created using the GIS technology. Here, data related to positions on the earth’s surface are captured, stored, integrated, manipulated, analyzed and displayed for easy access, and utilization. GIS generated maps find a range of advantages like

1 Quick access to Information and statistics

2 linkage to alpha-numeric databases

3 access to data retrieval and analysis

4 Easy comparison of data for different pipelines and topography

Science, technology and aesthetics are combined to generate an efficient GIS map. Many companies undertake the GIS Mapping service for providing various mapping services based on aerial photographs, satellite imagery, the paper maps, or surveyed data and drawings of varying scales and quality provided by the client. Some of the commonly developed maps are Contour maps, Utility Maps, Spatial Maps, Cadastral Maps, Atlas Maps, Thematic & Zonal Maps

The major GIS services are rendered to sectors like

Utilities (Telecom, Water Supply and Waste Water, Electricity Power Distribution)

Municipality planning and development

Oil and Gas

Agriculture

Government entities (county, municipality) for Land Property tax

Forestry

Transportation

Environment

GIS Mapping services are rendered by a skill set of geospatial experts, domain experts, software developers and project managers. They skilfully and carefully attend to features like land cover information, hydrology, roads, variables like points, lines and polygons, and their attributes. The scale of the map are taken into prime consideration as they carry the information content in a map.

The cumbersome task of placing the data on to paper for digitization, the risks involved in acquiring or capturing precise information, time consumed for digitizing and preparation of GIS maps, and the expense involved in hiring professionals and other equipments have compelled the companies to outsource their GIS mapping projects to companies that specialize in GIS mapping services in quick span of time as well for relatively less expensive amount. These companies work on implementing various GIS mapping services, some of the popular mapping services being

1. Contour Mapping services - control floods and forest fires, real estate planning and development, Fleet and logistics management, market analysis, navigation and positioning, etc

2. Parcel Mapping Services - details of the ownership of properties and related information, land administration, property registration by urban & rural governing organizations, municipality planning and Urban development, etc

3. Utility Mapping Services - recording and maintenance of public utility transmission lines such as water mains, sewage systems, telephone lines, power lines, gas mains, etc

4. Cadastral Mapping Service - detailed property of an area including its precise location, dimensions, geographical classifications of property, survey district names, each road, plot, railway lines, water bodies, vegetation, etc

5. Thematic & Zonal Map - physical, social, political, cultural, economic, sociological, agricultural, or any other aspects of a city, state, region, nation, or continent.

The GIS industry uses two methods to store data in a GIS for abstraction - raster and vector.

In Raster Data Type, the digital information is stored in grids. Raster data can be raster images with each pixel carrying a color value. They may also contain discrete value (land use), continuous value (temperature) and null value if no data is made available. Raster data is stored in various formats like TIFF, JPEG or BLOB.

Vector images employ geometric shapes to store the geographic information. Vector images contain variables like lines/polylines, polygon, and points to represent the geographic information in the map. These geometric variables are linked in a row in a database to describe their attributes. Vector data in the form of contour lines and triangulated irregular networks can be used to represent continuously varying phenomena like elevation and other constantly changing values.

Aerial photography or satellite images containing the topographic data are checked for their theoretical dimensions. The data is then printed on a paper or PET film map. This is then scanned into a raster data in formats like TIFF, and JPEG, which then can be used to create vector database. The spatially located variables of the vector image are superimposed onto the raster maps.

Importance Of Mapping Services

2010-07-16T14:19:00.007+05:30

With the companies emerging in oil and gas, everyone is looking for an edge over the competition. Having access to professional and highly accurate pipeline maps will match the difference between failure and success. A complete pipeline map will provide all information your company needs to rise in competition. Furthermore, SBL Geomatics our professional geomatics division has developed GIS pipeline energy data-sets that are completely dependable. To be a leader you have to be accurate and precise in measurements and it would not be possible absence of a accurate pipeline map provider.

Mapping services can be further classified as mobile mapping which is a cutting edge technology applied by another feature-packed GPS. GPS receivers locate your exact position on land or sea and provide visual appearance through navigation and mapping software . We can also produce digital maps, a track log summarizes starting time, Ending time, time traveled, Number of way points crossed, Distance covered and the average speed. GPS mapping software products provide powerful and easy to use tools to extend the features of almost any hand-held GPS.

GPS technology provides tracking of live objects like lost pets by monitoring & tracking software's and devices. This works with a device attached to the pet's collar, which emits a signal that can be picked up with a special mobile-phone-type of hand held monitor. Similarly mobile phones being lost can also be tracked.

Other mapping services includes web mapping automation & Geo database Designing Modeling. By understanding geography and people's relationship to location, we can make informed decisions about the way we live on our planet. Successful businesses use Business Geo intelligence.

Use Of GIS Services in Oil And Gas Industry

2010-07-15T12:29:00.003+05:30

A sound understanding of geography is needed in every step of a petroleum industry starting from locating a place to drill a well, route a pipeline from the exploration site to the refinery plant, finding an ideal location for a refinery and lot more. The use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is gathering momentum in Oil and petroleum industry as a powerful tool for analyzing and displaying data.

GIS services can be applied in various stages during the development of projects, including: Petroleum Exploration, Production, Managing Facilities & Pipeline Management

Petroleum Exploration: GIS facilitates the analysis and integration of a lot of different types of data such as satellite imagery, seismic surveys, digital aerial photo mosaics, surface geology studies, subsurface and cross section interpretations and images, well locations, and existing infrastructure information.

Production: Innovative GIS technology is ideally suited for the overlay analysis of geographic, infrastructure, business conditions, and environmental factors and which can be integrated with other business risk or economic business planning engines to provide a focused business solution tool set.

Managing Facilities: A large integrated oil company must keep track of every minute detail from drilling platforms to pipeline networks and to refineries for their advancement in this highly competitive business area. Geospatial information can be aptly used to map the gathering and transmission of products to a facility.

Pipeline Management : GIS programs can be utilized to monitor the condition and flow of pipelines and determine the best pipeline locations to transport oil off the fields and to the refineries.

Some of the GIS solutions currently offered by SBL Geomatics In Oil and Petroleum Industry:

1. 3D Modeling

2. Photogrammetry

3. LiDAR Data Processing

4. GPS Navigation

5. Corporate GIS data management

6. Map production and presentation

7. Digital Elevation Modeling and Hydrological Modeling

8. Environmental sensitivity analysis and modeling

9. Network analysis

10.Pipeline route optimization and pipeline leakage risk

11.Internet mapping and image web server solutions

12.Work flow analysis

13.Conversion of data to GIS format

14.Linkage of oil spill model to GIS.

15.Retail market analysis.

16.Distribution analysis.

17.Market pattern analysis by demographics.

19.CAD Drafting and Designing

20.CAD to GIS conversion

Retail outlet supply routing and many more…

We hope you found it useful. For more information about the applications of GIS Services in various sectors Please visit the following link.

http://www.sblgis.com/gis-services.aspx

OutSourcing GIS Services

2010-07-15T12:16:00.000+05:30

Some of the problems facing by GIS company are competitive price, increased staff salaries, unavailability of skilled personnel, incapability to keep existing personnel, Increasing client’s demands, and dull earnings etc. All the above reasons make the companies to think about outsourcing.

Various points come into our mind while choosing a GIS outsourcing partner .
The Key points may include

* Go through the services provided by those companies whom you are going to outsource your work.
* Think well about your needs and analysis should be done.
* Go through their website deeply and understand their services thoroughly.
* Check the feedback and testimonials provided by the satisfied customers.
* Whenever you choose a company you have to check all of your needs. Otherwise you have to split up your needs to various companies which may not help to achieve cost benefits.
* The main idea behind the outsourcing is to reduce overheads and achieve cost benefits.

Some of the Outsourcing benefits are as follows

* Access to World Class Capabilities
* Cash Infusion
* Function Difficult to Manage or Out of Control
* Improve Company Focus
* Reduce Operating Costs
* Reduce Risk
* Resources not Available Internally

The GIS services may include

* Image Georectification/ Georeferencing
* Geocoding
* Customization and Application Development
* Data Integration and data Format Conversion
* Spatial analysis and Modeling
* Map Digitization / Vectorization
* Enterprise GIS
* Feature Extraction
* Web mapping etc

Then finally we can choose those companies providing quality output, 24/7 customer service, capability to understand the client requirements, deadlines, technologies & needs may be considered for outsourcing.

Good Quality GIS CAD Services - Classified Ad

2010-07-06T16:27:00.000+05:30

Good Quality GIS CAD Services - Classified Ad

Check this slide presentation about LiDAR Data Processing

2010-07-02T14:23:00.000+05:30

GIS LiDAR DATA PROCESSING

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DEM/DTM generation

2010-07-01T10:37:00.000+05:30

Check this . Its an interesting article about the DEM/DTM generation and services. Digital Elevation Model(DEM) is used to represent terrains in digital format.The method called remote sensing is widely used to generate the digital elevation model.DEM can be represented in two ways,as a raster or as a Triangulated Irregular Network.DEM/DTM Generation.

Article- Photogrammetry And Remotesensing

2010-06-30T17:28:00.000+05:30

I just post an article about Photogrammetry And Remotesensing on My Blog. Check it and leave your comments Photogrammetry And Remotesensing

Check this post on Live Journal

2010-06-30T16:05:00.000+05:30

SBL Geomatics GIS Services

Check my Weebly website

2010-06-30T12:23:00.000+05:30

I just updated my Weebly website SBL GIS. This website is about various GIS, Aerial photogrammetry and GIS CAD services. Visit my weebly website and give suggestions to make my site more informative and interesting.

Join this discussion on corank

2010-06-29T17:21:00.001+05:30

I like to introduce you all my corank rank website photogrammetry-gis
here you can find many articles about photogrammetry,georeferencing,orthophotogeneration etc and lot more things. Join the discussion and share your thoughts. Hurry!!!!

Orthophoto Generation / Orthorectification

2010-06-25T14:33:00.000+05:30

Orthophoto generation is the rectification of the distortions in the aerial photographs captured by satellites or image sensors. These distortions are caused due to the systematic sensor or platform-induced aberrations or relief features of the terrain. The geometrical rectification of such distorted images is also known as ortho rectification. This process finds its major use in the Geographic Information System (GIS) industry.

Ortho rectified images have uniform scale which can be used to measure true distances. The orthophoto imagery process gives highly valuable and accurate data representation of the earth’s geographic surface. Orthophoto generation of the aerial photography eradicates the effects of topography relief, lens distortion, and sensor tilt from acquired viewpoint.

The orthophoto serves as an accurate map base to obtain precise measurements of objects and other geographical features. These orthophoto maps facilitate the public as well as private sector to plan the inventory infrastructure, land-use projects, environmental conditions, flood plain boundaries for maps, public communications requirements, transportation improvements and other important projects.

Orthophoto maps depict land features using processed and enhanced color photographic images with details in true position. They portray extensive areas of sand, marsh, or flat agricultural areas. These maps give a realistic and natural perspective to an area. Contours may or may not be included in an orthophoto map.

The entire orthophotography generation is divided into two important processes – Ortho Rectification and Mosaicking. While the former eliminates the effects of relief displacement or camera tilt, the latter merges the individual images into a perfectly tailored image database. Factors like resolution of the satellite image/photo, quality of DEM (Digital Elevation Model) and land geography influences the accuracy of an orthphoto.

The Locations where the ground elevation changes abruptly (such as at vertical cliffs, retaining walls, and bridges) hires high accuracy requirements. If such sudden vertical changes are out of reach of the machine used, two separate ortho photographs of similar areas - one depicting the upper level of the terrain and another depicting the lower level of the terrain, are created. Once the two are combined, either by special photographic printing techniques or by removing a portion from one ortho photograph and inserting it into the other, the output image will thus ensure the inclusion of all dimensional and aesthetic specifications.

The aerial photographs are scanned and converted into a raster image format. The collecting points indicate the changes in elevation and the control points indicate the geometric distortions. While the digital terrain model specifies the collecting ground points, the stereo model notifies the control points in the photograph. This image is then rectified and geo referenced using mathematical models of photogrammetry to remove any digital image distortions.

Nowadays, second generation orthophoto is more preferred and used over first generation orthophoto imagery, as this produces high resolution orthophoto with short production schedule in a way cost-effective manner. Some cases require the stitching of several orthophotos to form a composite ortho image file. This calls for highly sophisticated technology to generate such precise dimensions and data in each orthophoto imagery.

Volume Digitization of Maps and Aerial Photographs

2010-06-18T10:15:00.000+05:30

In this article I would like to discus about GIS and Volume digitization. I do not know whether you are familiar with the concept of GIS, though not much familiar to lay man but used somewhere or the other in our daily life. I will not go with the definition of this term from any wikipedia or GIS online resource but will try to explain in simple terms.

GIS abbreviated as “Geographic information system” is a “system” (set of rules and automated software’s or front end) to manipulate information about earth and objects surrounding it. If you have learned geography in your school days you will remember the term “maps”. Maps are the representation of a geographic area on a piece of paper or canvas. It is difficult to view a large area, rivers, oceans, plants, minute creatures on a single canvas, so to visualize the area maps are useful. They are a medium to exchange and describe information about an area.

Maps are plotted on papers for human decision making from years. Researchers used to refer the maps during their course of study about the earth and resources on earth. Time keeps on moving irrespective of the persons who watch it. As time started moving; photography developed and technology cultivated the so called aerial photography. Aerial photography helps to get a closer view of the earths surface, more than a map it helps you study unique characteristics.

These maps or Aerial photographs are never useful to systems (computers - Tech savvy people often use the word “system”), they can understand only digital data in the form of 0’s and 1’s. So in-order to study the maps or aerial images it is necessary to convert them into digital form. “Digitization” or “digitisation” often spelled in this manner in different communities is a method used to convert an image or photograph to digital values.

Maps and aerial photographs are digitized for use in GIS systems. Volume digitization services are provided by different service providers who are into GIS services and provide all data processing and conversion related services for researchers, scholars and universities. The process through which GIS system receive input is as follows:

1. Aerial photographers take photos of different areas with a certain focal length capable to produce viewable pictures. They have private flights that fly around taking photographs; these photographs have overlapping over each other. When the flight moves over a fixed dimension several shots are taken, the flight moves several times over the same area to get several shots that can be used for better representation.

2. These aerial images are acquired and are stitched with several better shots taken from different angles. The stitched output is then sent to the processing unit which visualizes and monitors the minute details associated with the image and correct the flaws generated while stitching.

3. The final output makes a complete aerial image ready for digitization. The photograph being stitched is then georeferenced. “Georeferenced” means to locate geographic coordinates over the photograph. Once the image is georeferenced it is subjected to digitization.

It is necessary to locate coordinates or “control points” over an image to get it digitized.

Mostly Georeferencing is considered a part of digitization and people do not specify it separately but it is a separate process that requires attention. Volume digitization services are useful when a research firm is unable to acquire fresh aerial photos or “birds eye view “of an area. The task can be allocated to a third party to get the photographs pictured and converted to digital coordinate system.

Process Of Creating orthophotos

2010-06-14T14:18:00.000+05:30

Photogrammetric Remote Sensing

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Various GIS Services

2010-06-11T15:43:00.000+05:30

Photogrammetry And Remotesensing Services

1.DEM & DTM generation
2.Satellite Imagery Interpretation and Classification
3.Aerial Triangulation services
4.Aerial photogrammetry services
5.Orthophoto generation services
6.Color Balancing, Creating mosaics
7.Edge matching
8.Triangulated irregular network (TIN)
9.LiDAR Services
10.Orthophoto Rectification
11.3D feature extraction
12.Tile generation in user defined dimension
13.Contour generation
14.Classification – supervised and unsupervised
15.Change detection
16.3D terrain visualization
17.Slope aspect analysis
18.Land cover classification

GIS CAD Services

1.CAD Conversion Services
1.1 GIS to CAD Conversion
1.2 CAD to GIS Conversion
1.3 Paper to CAD Conversion
1.4 Scan to cad conversion
1.5 AutoCAD conversion to drawings
1.6 Confidential cad conversion
1.7 DGN conversion
1.8 Multilayer Cad conversion
1.9 AutoCAD digitization
2.CAD Drafting
2.1 CAD Parcel Mapping
2.2 CAD cadastral mapping
2.3 Engineering /Mechanical services
2.4 Cad outsourcing
2.5 Overnight services
2.6 Documents scanning

Geospatial / GIS Services

1.Image Georectification / Georeferencing
2.Customization and Application Development
3.Creation / Maintenance of Geospatial Database
4.Data Integration and Data Format Conversion
5.Spatial Analysis and Modeling
6.Map Digitization / Vectorization
7.Enterprise GIS
8.Feature Extraction
9.Mapping Services
10.Spatial Statistics
11.Network Analysis
12.Web Mapping / Web GIS
13.Geo-Coding
14.2D Feature extraction

GIS Application Development

1.Design, Development and maintenance of custom geospatial databases
2.GIS software development and enterprise integration
3.Web mapping / Web GIS
4.Enterprise GIS services
5.Web based dynamic vehicle tracking system
6.Mobile spatial information system
7.Development of industry standard spatial information systems

Digital elevation And Digital Terrain Models

2010-06-09T13:56:00.000+05:30

Earth’s land surface can be classified into highlands, midlands and lowlands depending upon their height or elevation, compared to the sea level. The altitude determination of the land surface is a strenuous task as it requires generation of large number of land images and scaling. Precise measurement is almost impossible while measuring the land altitudes because of the land deformations. To ensure approximate height and depth of land surfaces, several methods are being employed. These measurements are then used to create Digital elevation Model, which is a source for detailed topographical studies.

Digital Elevation Model is the representation of earth’s topography using digital methods. Digital elevation model is also called as digital terrain model (DTM). DEMs or DTMs can be represented as original maps, square grids or irregular network of triangles. They are mainly created through land surveying methods and remote sensing methods. DEMs are used in geographic information systems, especially for creating digital relief maps.
DEMs are mainly produced using remote sensing technologies. There are several other ways to produce DEMs. The DEMs or DTMs requires precision and high quality. Therefore, most precise techniques are necessary for creating DEMs. Some of the recent techniques employed for creating the DEMs are
• Real Time Kinematic GPS
• LiDAR
• Stereo Photogrammetry
• Topographic Maps
• Doppler Radar
• Theodolite Or Total Station

Real Time Kinematics
Real Time Kinematics GPS is a satellite signal system used in land surveying. It gives accurate measurements of the distant objects, thereby enabling quick determination of geographical dimensions. This method is helpful in generating accurate DEMs and it is largely used for geographical studies and its variations.

LiDAR
LIDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) is a technology that uses the scattering property of light to measure the altitudes and distances of the objects. In other words, it is an optical remote sensing technology. It is similar to the radar technology and helps to generate precise DEMs or DTMs.

Stereo Photogrammetry
Stereo Photogrammetry employs photographic techniques to create DEMs. A three dimensional image of the plane or land area is created using images taken from different angles. The images are stitched using photogrammetric techniques. This helps to produce high quality DEMs.

Topographic Maps
Topographic maps are informative maps with contour lines and other specific colour markings indicating topographic features. There are different types of topographic maps that record different types of information. While creating DEMs several topographic maps are compared to ensure precise representation of topography.
Doppler Radar
Doppler Radar uses sound waves to determine the height, depth and distance of land area. The amount of sound wave pulses reflecting from the searched land area provides accurate measurements of terrains, which helps to make precise DEMs.

Theodolite or Total Station
Theodolite is an instrument used in triangulation networks. It measures horizontal and vertical angles to determine the elevation or the heights of the ground, the output of which is used for DEM or DTM generation.

Digital elevation models are precisely measured topographic representations. They are widely used for military operations and other relief operations. They also help in detailed study of topographic features. Thus DEMs are informative and useful for life saving measures.

DEM Slide Show

2010-06-04T10:12:00.000+05:30

Digital Elevation Models

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GIS CAD Services

2010-06-01T10:25:00.001+05:30

GIS CAD Services

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CAD Parcel Mapping

2010-05-31T10:45:00.000+05:30

Parcel Mapping

Software used: Microstation Bentley Map

Scope
This project involves digitization of the parcel drawings of 400 plus townships in Spain. Each town is segregated into urban and rural land classes and layers, including roads, are provided in DGN format. Of the towns already digitized, the average number of parcels amount to 2000. The objective of the project is to build a decision support system for the towns in Spain.

Finding the location of migrating birds using GIS

2010-05-31T10:39:00.000+05:30

During the spring, flocks of migratory wading birds arrive from their natural habitat, which would be usually intolerably cool during winter, to a critical non-breeding habitat on the tropical places.

Protection of these migratory birds is a concern that needs real attention. Some of these birds from northern hemisphere fly more than 20,000 km a year in search of a suitable dwelling place for survival during the winter season.

The use of GIS and remote sensing technology can be used as an integral part to trace the migrating location of these birds from field mapping to reporting of the location.

One tip to find the birds of migration is to identify their food habit. This would give an idea of their prospective migrating location with regard to the availability of the specific food.

For instance, if we take the birds that usually migrate from Siberia to the tropical North coast of Australia. These migratory birds feed on small animals that live in mud such as crabs, snails and worms. These birds naturally migrate to the area of low muddy lands of Australia to feed and refill their energy for their journey back to their natural habitat.

Using compatible and innovative GPS units and enough field staff, samples can be collected from various points of the expected area of migration by producing progress maps and occasional species maps. By these procedures, even the presence of any new species in the area also can be identified.

To cite another example, some migratory birds have time and again halted in Malaysia during their roosting season that usually lasts from November to March because of its Matang Mangrove Forest.

The arrival of these migratory birds was observed by The Department of Wildlife and National Parks and they have decided to create a GIS database in order to study the biodiversity and sustainability of migratory birds.

Finally, they made a GIS database for the migratory birds and conducted an overall analysis on the captured data. The methodology run from need assessment to data collection, database development and system integration. This finally resulted in an analysis on the trends of bird migration, the properties of ecosystem, environment sensitivity analysis and spatial statistic analysis on the distribution of the migratory birds.

As already mentioned, the resultant migratory bird’s database contain statistical results on the trend of bird migration which in turn helped to identify the endangered species of migratory birds. When the endangered species are classified, measures and procedures for the maintenance of the mangrove areas are taken.

* The database of the migratory birds with reference to the diversity and sustainability of the birds can been developed using ArcView 3.2, MapObject 2.0, Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0, AutoCadMap 2.0 and S-Plus 2000.

Conversion of Geophysical drawings

2010-05-29T12:08:00.000+05:30

Software used: AutoCAD Map, ArcGIS
Scope: The project is an ongoing data conversion work for major oil companies who are engaged in exploration activities. The main activities involved are conversion of point, line and polygon data for various geophysical tests such as gravity, magnetic as well as electrical conductivity including well logging and integration of its attribute datasets to these drawings to serve it as a geospatial database for oil field inventory.

Photogrammetric Remotesensing - slideshow

2010-05-27T14:37:00.001+05:30

Photogrammetric Remote Sensing

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Check this Video :-

2010-05-27T12:03:00.001+05:30

Scarcity of photogrammetry companies vs more photogrammetry projects

2010-05-21T14:22:00.000+05:30

Though the significance of GIS services are moving uphill, the scarcity of companies offering the services becomes a big issue now. When the growing demand cannot be met by us, the opportunities will be grabbed by the competitors.

Due to the spread of mapping sites like google maps, live maps etc., people have become more aware of the satellite images and the possibilities of digital mapping. Hence the popularity graph of GIS has taken a steady ascend now compared to the year 2005.

GIS makes use of specialized software that is in vogue for its variety of services and customized software for some of the projects according to the specifications of the client. The GIS application areas are wide ranging from Forestry, Utilities, Oil and Gas industry, Central and local government, Public Health, Hospitality and Tourism, Environmental Management, Emergency Management, Retail Marketing and Management, Mobile Mapping, Real Estate, Insurance, LIDAR and Laser Scanning, Agriculture and Research, Transportation to Public Works.

What makes the scarcity in the photogrammetry companny? One reason is the difficulty to find people with specialization in photogrammerty. Many of the Western universities offer courses in this field. Things are not that easy in many of the Asian countries.

For a GIS company to be successful, it needs to have the appropriate infrastructure which updated technological advances. Moreover it requires highly experienced professionals to carry out the projects in photogrammetry. Other than this, very innovative and specialized workstations are quintessential for the undisturbed workflow of photogrammetry jobs.

Even if a company garners all the above mentioned essentials in this field, they have to pay through the nose to maintain them. This becomes another obstacle in the forming and functioning of a photogrammetry company.

There are very few GIS companies in India as compared to its wide ranging applications.

Photogrammetry And Remote Sensing Services

2010-05-18T16:17:00.000+05:30

Photogrammetry is used in different fields, such as topographic mapping, architecture, engineering, manufacturing, quality control, police investigation, and geology. This technique is employed to combine live action with computer generated imagery in movie post-production.

Orthorectification transforms the central projection of the photograph into an orthogonal view of the ground, thereby removing the distorting effects of tilt and terrain relief. The by-product of orthorectification process is orthoimage or orthophotos.

In remote sensing, information transfer is accomplished by use of electromagnetic radiation (EMR). Through remote sensing spectral, spatial, and temporal information about material objects, area, or phenomenon is acquired. Without direct physical contact with the objects, or area, or phenomenon under investigation, some means of transferring information through space is utilised.

Some of the main Photogrammetric Services are :-

• Aerial triangulation: This process is performed using the Match-AT module of INPHO photogrammetry suite.

• Digital Elevation Model / Digital Terrain Model generation: DEM inputs generated are edited according to client specifications. We capture breaklines wherever slope changes are visible and later interpolate them to the terrain.

• Stereo compilation: We perform stereo compilation using both softcopy plotters and analytical plotters. Stereo-compilation is performed for planimetric, DTM projects and for updating old maps using new aerial imagery.

• Topographic and planimetric feature extraction: SBL provides accurate digital planimetric feature extraction in standard formats. SBL relies on a project specific process designed to deliver high quality output at competitive prices and quick turnaround time.

• Orthophoto production: SBL digital orthophotography output provides valuable information about the terrain from which true distances, angles and areas can be measured.
• Color balancing: Using the updated color balancing techniques, we change the overall mixture of colors in an image and later use it for color correction; a generalized version of color balance is used to get colors other than neutrals.

• Mosaicing and tile generation: Orthophoto mosaics are created by merging orthophotos or tiled together and then clipped to according to client specified dimensions.

• Pan Sharpening: We merge high resolution panchromatic and lower resolution multispectral imagery to create a single high resolution color image. This technique is used to increase image quality of the Google maps and other maps.

• Contour Generation: Generating contours on a softcopy photogrammetric workstation gives our technicians the opportunity to view superimposed contours directly over a stereo model, in 3-D, and to modify the topographic model before a final DTM surface and contours are generated.

• DIGITAL ELEVATION MODEL (DEM) EXTRACTION: The DEM Extraction Module enables you to extract elevation data from scanned or digital aerial photographs, or from an along track or an across track push broom satellite acquirement.

• LiDAR data processing: We offer:
- 3D model generation of features.
- Detection and removal of noise and outlying points
- Generation of digital elevation models
- Generation of elevation profiles, Digital Surface Models (DSM) and Digital Terrain Models (DTM) as raster, TIN, contour or slope models.

Color Infrared Orthophoto

2010-05-17T16:04:00.000+05:30

Images obtained by satellites and aircraft give a tool to study landforms, vegetation, environmental pollution, and other effects of human activities on the earths surface. We cannot see all parts of the electormagnetic spectrum.Invisible parts of the spectrum namely near-infrared wavelengths, can be recorded by either electronic sensors or special photographic films (Color Infrared Aerial Photography film ). This type of film makes near-infrared reflected energy visible to the human eye and represent it as a visible color. These electronic sensors or special photographic films are sensitive to infrared wavelengths. Satellite electronic sensors and aerial color-infrared films both record visible and near-infrared wavelengths, but each of these systems requires different laboratory processes. The photographs obtained from color infrared aerial photography film is called Color Infrared orthophoto ( CIR ).

Color Infrared films are manufactured in such a way that, it have three emulsions. Color-infrared film has a yellow filter over the three emulsion layers to block ultraviolet (UV) and blue wavelengths. Near-infrared wavelengths penetrate atmospheric haze and result in clear, crisp images. Green color having high reflection level of near infrared wavelength appears as red in color infrared film. Red objects with very low near-infrared reflection appear green. But the green objects with very low near-infrared reflection appear blue and blue objects with very low near-infrared reflection appear black. . Water absorbs near-infrared wavelengths and appears black in the image. Water with varying amounts of suspended particles appears as shades of blue.

Color Aerial photography has been first applied in 1959 and Color Infrared photography in 1967. Today, about 10% of aerial photography projects are using color films and 3% use color infrared materials. Color infrared orthophotography serves a variety of purposes. It is commonly used used to study vegetation coverage, crop coverage, forest plantation studies, forest landuse etc mainly recording the chlorophyl content and in some of the GIS applications.

What is modern GIS ?

2010-05-15T08:21:00.000+05:30

What is modern GIS?

GIS has become somewhat mandatory. Our day-to-day myriad activities of life cannot go on without the helping hands of GIS.

Developed recently for the purpose of using and studying geographic information, geography underpins GIS and is the key to understanding it. It expresses and describes the locations of objects and features relating to the distribution and patterns of physical and human features that exist on the Earth’s surface.

Modern GIS

Before the advancement of modern GIS, analysis procedures would have been manually undertaken using transparent overlays or run through very slow and incompetent machines with far less power than today’s machines. GIS in the past mainly meant the information obtained from maps.

The indispensable advantage of modern GIS is that all the functionality for working with manifold sets of geographic data are assembled and automated within one piece of software with improved efficiency and speed.

The input, storage and display of geographical information are now realized in a computer and hence the features and themes can be manipulated, combined and analyzed to generate new information.

Different GIS software packages are available with different functionality and interfaces. ESRI is the world’s most popular GIS software package.

Some common examples of GIS Services

Geographic information is as wide and varied from socio-economic or demographic data to physical and environmental data, treated as separate l ‘themes’ of similar types of information. Eg: Physical features or phenomena such as rivers, roads, forests, earthquakes, volcanoes, erosion, floods, vegetation etc. and Human features or phenomena such as population, migration, electoral territories, poverty, religion, health etc.

One such theme could relate to all the ‘rivers’ in a country. The physical features can include flooding and pollution. The location element is the postcode.

One of the main sources of ‘human’ geographic information is the Census. It records a large number of variables about every person in the a country including employment, housing and health. The geography element of it is the location of where people live.

Essentially, geographic information states WHAT is WHERE which needs to record these two elements somehow. Data can be captured from aerial photography, satellite images, field samples, land surveying, population censuses, global positioning systems (GPS) and government administrative records among others.

For combining geographic information themes, geography or location is used as the common denominator or the link. It has the potential to generate new information on patterns and relationships between multiple sets of geographic information that would otherwise be missed, and to aid in answering more complex questions or decision-making.

A typical example is Jon Snow’s investigation of Cholera in Victorian London in 1854. He identified the locations of incidences of Cholera against the location of water pumps, and noticed its gathering pattern around the Broad Street water pump. He identified the contaminated source and created the beginning of modern epidemiology. A map of just the water pumps or incidences of Cholera alone would have been of little value.

Again take the example of flood risk maps where the combined geographic information on the locations of properties and the locations of flood zones can help to identify properties at risk of flooding. This combined information is of huge value to environmental groups and insurance companies providing new information that would not be detectable otherwise.
The advantages of modern GIS
Modern GIS has several advantages over the old techniques of map-making and information gathering. Some of modern GIS are:

* Can cover large study areas (the whole world if necessary)
* Can deal with larger amounts of data
* Can easily select any sub-study area
* Can cope with frequent and infinite edits and changes
* More powerful and resistant to damage
* Quicker and more efficient
* Requires less person, time and money

The Census is the most familiar examples of how GIS can store and display a number of large datasets for the entire country quickly and easily. Without the help of GIS, you would have had to search manually through records on your computer on telephone staff at the Census office to get information about your area of interest.

With GIS, data for any area can be accessed quickly and easily according to a location. We can now store and show maps and aerial photographs covering the whole of a country. For example, Multimap through which you can know exactly where every town and village in the UK was, you would be unable to provide the level of information that Multimap is able to do in just a few seconds. Essentially, you are able to customise your data to suit your needs.

GIS software has a large variety of tools of varying levels of complexity. Shown below are some core standard functions common to GIS software packages.

* Query: Ask questions of feature attributes like: where is _? What’s the nearest_? What intersects with _?
* Mapping and cartography: Visualize features and edit symbology and colours to create an output map with title, scale bar, north arrow etc.
* Select: Classify features and their attributes that meet some criteria.
* Distance: Estimate the distance between features.
* Buffers: Rings drawn around features at a particular distance from the features.
* Overlay: The display of diverse layers of information at one location.
* Clip: Makes an input layer to the size and extent of a selected layer.
* Merge: Merges multiple layers into a single layer.
* Raster analysis: A complete separate suite of tools for raster analysis which includes classifying cells, deriving aspect and slope, mosaicing and calculating new cell values among many others.
* 3D: Data can be analyzed with ‘height’ in 3-dimensions for powerful visualization

Who uses GIS and Why?

GIS has evolved into a technology that is used by a huge number of industries and agencies to help plan, design, engineer, build and maintain information infrastructures that effects our everyday lives.

Use of GIS in different industry

Forestry: Inventory and management of resources

Police: Crime mapping to target resources

Epidemiology: To link clusters of disease to sources

Transport: Monitoring routes

Utilities: Managing pipe networks

Oil: Monitoring ships and managing pipelines

Central and local government: Evidence for funding and policy (eg.) deprivation

Health: Planning services and health impact assessments

Environment agencies: Identifying areas of risk from e.g. flood

Emergency departments e.g. ambulance: Planning quickest routes

Retail: Store location

Marketing: Locating target customers

Military: Troop movement

Mobile phone companies: Locating masts

Land Registry: Recording and managing land and property

Estate agents: Locating properties that match certain criteria

Insurance: Identifying risk e.g. properties at risk of flooding

Agriculture: Analyzing crop yields

Outsourcing CAD Services

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Today, majority of industries depend on CAD designing services that helps the industrialists to foresee their future projects or their projects with clarity. Extents of CAD Services have increased beyond description and are expanding unpredictably. Therefore, it is worth using the CAD services in this modern technological era. Some of the benefits of CAD Services Outsourcing are given below.

· Faster Designing: Cad Services have enabled quickening of designing processes. The latest versions of CAD tools have many new features that enable faster designing. With the growing technological sophistication, the CAD tools make designing faster than before. More over expert and experienced CAD operators can work fast on CAD tools.

· Useableness: Modern CAD tools are more convenient to use than traditional methods of CAD Conversions and CAD Designing. With increasing knowledge about CAD designing, the CAD services have become agile and usable for all types of industries.

· Error Minimization: Compared to old days CAD expertise has increased along with the CAD usage. This has helped minimization of errors in CAD outputs. Now most of the CAD outsourcing service companies offers error-free and precise CAD outputs. Hence outsourcing of CAD Services can deliver precise and accurate designs.

· Low Cost: CAD Services Outsourcing is cost-effective and affordable. Since manpower cost in India and other Asian countries are very less compared to the developed nations, CAD designing is very cheaper in those parts of the world. Therefore, it is wise to outsource your CAD Services and gain profit.

· High Quality: Quality is an important factor in CAD Designing. CAD Services are generally rendered to high-profile projects where precision and accuracy are much valued. Therefore, most of the CAD Outsourcing Service Companies try to please their customers by making sure that all CAD designs are high in quality.

. High Productivity: When the world is moving fast, the CAD processing should be faster to catch up with the pace of this world. CAD Outsourcing Services done by companies in India are showing high productivity. Hence, when you outsource CAD projects, it not only gives you the advantage of cost effectiveness and high quality but also high productivity.

The base of all CAD services is the CAD tools. They have helped the beginning of CAD services like CAD Conversion Services, Paper to CAD Conversion, GIS to CAD Conversion, CAD Drafting, Scan to CAD Conversion, DGN Conversion, AutoCAD Services, etc. These Cad Services are growing day by day and many areas and industries have been impacted by the CAD tools.

What is Aerial Photogrammetry ?

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Aerial Photogrammetry simply means, the use of aerial photographs in the science of photogrammetry. Finding the geometric properties of objects from photographic images is called photogrammetry. Aerial photogrammetry is a technique for creating two dimensional (2D) or three dimensional (3D) models from high points. The images used in aerial photogrammetry are usually taken by using cameras which are placed on the underside of aircrafts. In this techniques tow or more photos of same areas with different angles are used. Aerial triangulation is the technique used here. It is mostly used in topographical mapping. These maps may be either 2D or, more recently, 3D computer models of terrain

Aerial Photogrammetry Services are used in various fields namely

topographic and planimetric feature extraction
digital elevation model (DEM) extraction
3D terain visualization
Orthophotorectification etc

Orthophoto Rectification

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In the areas of GIS data acquisition, visualization and general mapping,digital satellite imagery and aerial photographs have a significant place.Photographs obviously provide a solid visual effect. The photographs are not taken by ordinary cameras but are taken by very professional high-end cameras with higher zoom and clarity.

Image data acquired by airborne and satellite image sensors are affected by systematic sensor and geometry errors. This process of correcting the distortions of a satellite image of aerial photograph is called orthorectification. This process allows you to make direct and precise measurements of areas, distances, angles, positions etc.

For the accurate removal of the image distortions, a digital elevation model (DEM) is used to make image orthorectification. In situations where higher mapping accuracy standards are required, the DEM is extracted from the already existing topographic maps with reference to a standard scale or collected using stereo satellite image data. Orthophoto ( geometrically corrected aerial photographs ) are commonly use in photogrammetry and remotesensing services.

Applications Of DEM

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Digital Elevation Model(DEM) is used to represent terrains in digital format.The method called remotesensing is widely used to generate the digital elevation model.DEM can be represented in two ways,as a raster or as a Triangulated Irregular Network. In DEM representation we exclude the features like buildings,roads,vegetation etc.

The main application of DEM are,

GIS Services
Surface Analysis
Orthophoto generation
Global Positioning System
Aerial Photography
Bare Earth Surface Model
Base Mapping
3D Visualization

CAD Services

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CAD drawings are the suitable way to document technical drawings and related information in a well organized manner. CAD combined with Geographic Information System(GIS) enables data to be analysed geographically and this technique offer various services like CAD to GIS conversion, GIS to CAD conversion, 2D to CAD conversion Multilayer CAD conversion,Scan to CAD conversion,DGN conversion etc.Other CAD Services are CAD Drafting, paper to CAD conversions,CAD parcel mapping,cadastral mapping services etc.CAD conversions using the AutoCAD software. Most of the conversions are done in this manner.

Paper to CAD conversion

Paper to CAD conversion is one of the prominent service to a wide range of customers in the field of architectural, mechanical, structural and civil engineering The paper drawings are converted into various CAD formats.The output file can be given in the form of dgn, dwg, shp, dxf format. The layering and standards are decided according to the specifications of clients.

CAD Parcel Mapping

Parcel Mapping is one of the important service of Geographic Information System.Parcel mapping services are done and delivered in a digital format and stored in a database.We can store any number of information in the database. The process usually include the following steps.
» Scanning of the paper map
» Identify ground control points
» Geo referencing of the scanned map
» Design of the database
» Digitization
» Quality Check

LiDAR DATA PROCESSING

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LIDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) is an optical remote sensing technology,used to model the earth’s surface in detail. Lidar is used for atmospheric research, topographic mapping ,making DEM's and for various other purposes.
LIDAR data products can be used in,

Generation of digital elevation models.
LiDAR Mapping
Generation of elevation profiles, Digital Surface Models (DSM) and Digital Terrain Models (DTM) as raster, countor models.
Surface and land use characterization.