Creating

Geospatial
Content with
LPS
A Process-Driven Workflow
Over the last decade, the unprecedented population growth rates throughout much of the
world and the subsequent need for information to support and manage that growth has
put more pressure than ever before on GIS and production mapping professionals.
Businesses and planners need more up-to-date information than ever before, so much so
that photogrammetry production “factories” can work 24/7 and still find it a challenge to keep
up with the increasing volume of work. The GIS professionals who typically rely on these
data “factories” for assistance with data layer creation now find themselves standing in line.
For busy GIS and mapping professionals, the solution to transform imagery into reliable
geospatial content more efficiently without compromising accuracy lies in a process-driven
workflow. This article discusses the process-driven workflow concept and the tools available
to implement it effectively.

Process-Driven Workflows: The Key to Increased Productivity

Transforming imagery into usable data typically requires several processing steps. These
steps are referred to as a workflow. It should be noted that following every step in this
workflow is not necessarily required. Some scenarios might require certain steps but not
others. However, typical scenarios will require every step in the workflow.

Project Creation
The first step in the process-driven workflow is to create a new project. This involves
defining project properties such as the type of imagery that will be processed and the
coordinate system used. This step also involves adding all of the raw data that will be
processed to the project. When a project is created, the workflow begins.

Sensor Model Definition

A sensor model describes the properties and characteristics associated with the camera or
sensor used to capture an image. Internal sensor model information describes the internal
geometry, including focal length and lens distortion for aerial photographs. External sensor
model information describes the position and orientation of each image as it existed when
the imagery was collected. Without this information, value added data layers such as
oriented images, 3D feature datasets, Digital Terrain Models (DTMs), and orthorectified
images cannot be derived from imagery.

Ground Control Point Measurement

Ground Control Points (GCPs) are used to establish a geometric relationship among the
images in a project, the sensor model and the ground so accurate data can be collected from
the imagery. The GCP has three coordinates: x, y and z, which are measured across multiple
images. GCPs can be collected from existing vector files, orthorectified images, DTMs, and
maps.

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 Subpixel positioning capabilities enable more accurate measurement of features.

Automated Tie Point Collection

A tie point is a point with unknown ground coordinates but is visually recognizable in the
overlap area between images. Tie points are used to position multiple images correctly,
relative to one another. Automatic tie point collection uses digital image matching techniques
to automatically identify and measure tie points across multiple images.

Block Adjustment
Block adjustment, which can include aerial triangulation, is essential to determining the
information required to create orthophotos, DTMs, digital stereo models (oriented images)
and 3D features. A block adjustment can obtain internal and external sensor model
information, 3D coordinates of tie points, and additional parameters that characterize
the sensor model. Most importantly, the results of a block adjustment can provide detailed
statistical reports on the accuracy of data.

Digital Terrain Model Extraction

DTMs form the basis of many GIS applications and are vital for creating orthorectified
images. To automatically generate a 3D terrain representation of the earth and its associated
geography, digital image matching techniques are used to automatically identify and measure
the image positions of ground points appearing within the overlapping areas of two adjacent
images. With this information, the accurate sensor model information from block adjustment
is used to transform the image positions of the ground points into 3D coordinate information.
After the automated DTM extraction process is completed, a series of evenly distributed,
3D mass points are located within the area and can be used to create a Triangular Irregular
Network (TIN) or a raster DEM.

Terrain Editing
Terrain datasets automatically derived from imagery must be reviewed prior to their use in
orthorectification, 3D visualization, and spatial analysis. Using stereo imagery as a reference
backdrop, a terrain dataset is superimposed on top of the imagery and can be viewed in 3D
stereo. Using a series of terrain editing tools, the terrain dataset can be modified as needed
to represent the surface of the earth.

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Orthorectification
Orthorectification is the process of removing geometric errors inherent within photography
and imagery. Orthorectified images serve as the image backdrops for displaying and
editing GIS vector layers. Using sensor model information generated by block adjustment
and a DTM, errors associated with sensor orientation, topographic relief displacement, earth
curvature and other sources can be removed. Measurements and geographic information
collected from an orthorectified image represent the corresponding measurements as if they
were taken on the earth’s surface. The process of color balancing, orthorectification and
mosaicking can be combined into one step, rather than three independent steps.

3D Feature Collection and Attribution

3D data can be collected from oriented images. Using sensor model information, two
overlapping oriented images are automatically aligned, leveled and scaled to produce a
3D stereo effect. The resulting digital stereo model allows for interpretation, collection and
visualization of 3D geographic information from imagery and is used as the primary data
source for collecting 3D engineering and GIS data layers.

To update a GIS or an engineering data layer, existing feature datasets are often
superimposed on the DTM, edited and reshaped to their real-world positions.
Two-dimensional vector layers can be transformed into 3D geographic information.
During data collection, the spatial and non-spatial attribute information associated with
a vector layer can be edited and the attribute tables can be displayed with the DTM.
Automated attribution techniques simultaneously populate a GIS during the collection
of 3D data. Additional qualitative and quantitative attribution information associated with
a feature can be input during the collection process.

Determining the Right System: Process and Workflow-Driven

Tools
Geospatial professionals—from GIS to production mapping—need to produce more
information in less time while maintaining accuracy and managing costs. GIS professionals
who use ESRI’s ArcGIS want solutions that closely integrate with ESRI data formats and
software, as well as an all-in-one solution for digital mapping. Engineering professionals
who use Bentley MicroStation® want solutions that closely integrate with a CAD system for
large scale engineering mapping applications.

Efficient Tools
Production mapping professionals already have sophisticated tools, but these tools tend
to be inefficient and difficult to use. These professionals want a highly accurate, end-to-end
production mapping system that is functionally complete. They want a high level of
automation, including the ability to batch and streamline processes, but they also want
access to functional details and the ability to customize the technology to their needs.
Both GIS and production mapping professionals require seamless data transfer without
the risk of lost quality, as well as excellent customer support and service from their
software vendors.

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 The Ideal Solution
The ideal solution should be a process- and workflow-driven system consisting of a suite of
photogrammetric production tools that process geospatial images from end to end quickly
and accurately. It should be seamlessly integrated to increase the throughput of creating and
updating geospatial content. Additionally, it should allow you to use data from other systems
such as Bentley MicroStation and the ESRI ArcGIS system.

Determining a Solution
It is important that you have a seamlessly integrated collection of software tools allowing
transformation of raw imagery into reliable data layers required for all digital mapping, GIS
analysis and 3D visualization. You also need to be able to streamline projects into one fast,
manageable workflow without compromising detail and accuracy. One alternative that
provides this solution is LPS.

Increased Productivity and Accuracy

LPS lets GIS and mapping professionals focus on using their expertise to fine tune the
data by taking on many of the repetitive tasks commonly associated with data production.
Automated processes such as interior orientation, tie point generation, terrain extraction
and simultaneous color balancing-orthorectification-mosaicking help to increase production
through-put. At the same time, state-of-the-art photogrammetric and image processing
algorithms help to maintain the highest attainable accuracy for mapping projects.

Data Interoperability
The ability to work with data from many different sources and in different formats is critical
to any geospatial professional. Engineering formats from Bentley MicroStation and GIS
formats from ESRI are natively supported in LPS.

Using a Solution for Large Volume, Low-Cost Orthorectification

Challenge
Photogrammetry production “factories” supply accurate GIS datasets to organizations
that create and update maps. Most of these factories specialize in large capacity
photogrammetric and satellite projects, so they appreciate the importance of handling
geospatial projects efficiently and economically.

Solution
Using LPS or similar solution, production shops can orthorectify images that represent
thousands of square kilometers of aerial photography in a fraction of the time it previously
took. LPS allows fast and accurate rectification of aerial photographs by block triangulation
at a low cost. Plus, the user-friendly graphical interface and high level of automation
provide scope for new and experienced photogrammetric operators to operate the
software comfortably.

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 Aerial triangulation lets you rectify large volumes of aerial photography efficiently and
accurately. It establishes a relationship between the images contained in a project, the
camera at the time of data acquisition, and the ground. The preparatory stages in a block
triangulation include selecting the relevant camera model and defining appropriate block
properties, such as datum and projection.

With LPS or a similar solution, production companies can establish workflows to rapidly
process large volumes of photography. Data is initially divided into manageable blocks—
typically 50 to 200 frames—and pyramid layers are calculated to enhance data display.
Each block is then triangulated using tie points, that were automatically derived, and
ground controls, which can be obtained from a variety of sources.

The results of the triangulation are checked visually by viewing the resulting stereo imagery
or by calibrating the imagery and overlaying the control information. Any errors can thus be
detected before re-sampling is performed. The orthorectified data can now be mosaicked.
The final stage of the program is to visually check each tile and remove cut line and
scanning artifacts.

Results
With a proven workflow and software solution, photogrammetry production “factories” can
produce complete, accurate, seamless mosaics for map creation quickly and efficiently.

Key Features and Capabilities

The solutions discussed represent only a few of those offered in LPS and similar software
solutions. A comprehensive photogrammetry system allows you to create production grade
geospatial content within a single software package.

LPS Architecture
LPS Core
LPS Core provides the tools required to transform raw imagery into reliable geospatial data.
This comprehensive suite includes:
• Image Viewer
• Image Imports and Exports
• Color Balancing
• Orthomosaicking
• 3D Surfacing
• Map Composition
• Image Processing Tools
• Automatic Interior Orientation
• Manual and Automatic Point Measurement
• Block Triangulation

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In photogrammetry solutions, contour maps, point clouds, and imagery can all be used to edit Digital Terrain Models
(DTMs).

Add-On Modules
LPS is scalable, so you can purchase only the tools you need to build your solution on top
of the Core. The add-on modules provide additional production-oriented tools, that help
maximize data through-put.

ERDAS MosaicPro improves the seam editing portion of mosaicking as well as offering
additional radiometric adjustment capabilities. This module offers significant improvements
in functionality for Mosaic Tool users. ERDAS MosaicPro is especially useful for high volume
production users who need an efficient means of editing seams for large projects that may
involve hundreds of images.

LPS Stereo brings you the ability to extract geospatial information using stereo imagery
as an accurate reference source. It features subpixel pointing, continuous roaming and
zooming, and fast-graphics rendering. Viewing options include Stereo, Split Panel, Mono
and Tri-View (Stereo, Left, Right and Mono).

LPS Terrain Editor (TE) includes point, area, and break line-based editing tools required
to clean DTMs for subsequent use in orthorectification, 3D visualization and engineering,
and GIS analysis. Terrain Editor supports many DTM formats.

LPS ORIMA is modern, easy-to-use orientation management software that processes large
data sets of image coordinates, ground control points and GPS coordinates. Triangulation
lets you create production-focused aerial triangulation for frame and ADS40 imagery.

LPS PRO600 puts flexible, easy to learn CAD-based tools in your hands, providing all the
mapping data parameters you need, including signs, symbols, colors, line thickness,
user-defined line-types, and forms.

LPS Automatic Terrain Extraction (ATE) allows for fast, accurate terrain extraction from multiple
images, using cross-correlation with feature-based mapping and built-in accuracy reporting.

Copyright © 2008 ERDAS Inc. Unpublished - All rights reserved. Use, reproduction or disclosure is governed solely by the ERDAS,
Inc. standard commercial license. Contractor/Manufacturer is ERDAS, Inc., 5051 Peachtree Corners Circle, Suite 100, Norcross,
GA 30092-2500 USA.
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