Remote Sensing Image Processing Software on Sun - Summary

[Qiming Zhou]

Thanks for all the replies regarding my previous request on remote sensing
image processing on SUN SPARC workstations. I am attaching the summary of
all the replies with this message.

In brief, the answer is quite disappointing. I have got many "me too"
messages (if there are some in the summary, sorry), so that I guess the
particular type of software is of rather general interest. There are also
good responses suggesting a variety of software packages - PD or
commercial. The most of these packages, particularly PD packages, however,
are general image processing tools which CAN do some thing with remotely
sensed data, rather than packages which is dedicated to process the
remotely sensed data. In common, some key features are missing from these
packages such as classification functions using multispectral data, image
registration, some statistical summary functions, etc.

Commercial packages, on the other hand, give some brighter pictures. There
are some packages available which can do almost everything I expected from
a remote sensing IP package. ERDAS and ER Mapper, in particular, have a
rich collection of IP functions. The trouble is, as commercial packages,
they are rather expensive. ERDAS would cost me around $50,000 for the
laboratory equipped with 20 workstations while I only need a small part of
its capabilities for teaching. ER Mapper is considerably cheaper, around
$20,000 for a site license, but I feel it is still under the development
stage and some features such as multispectral classification are still not
available. I hope I have got this wrong and can only be happy if someone
tell me that ER Mapper has already got classification functions and
registration functions.

After all this, I think I have to wait for a while to see the development.
At the moment, ER Mapper seems the closer choice but the door is still
widely open.

Thanks again for all the replies, particularly for those who have send
documents of software packages. Your help is high appreciated.

Qiming

The following is all the replies:

***

Try GIPSY, from Dr. Bob Haralick whom you can reach at
"haralick at june.cs.washington.edu".  Tell him I sent you.

***

Could you be a little more specific about your needs?  We have developed a
system here for analyzing satellite images.  Its not public domain, but
its not commercial either.  We need to charge for tapes and reproduction
costs - $250.  

The is not really an image processor, but it does do some simple
processing.  The most useful feature is that you can apply navigation
information to a window and plot data using lat/lon information.

If you are interested, send me your mail address and I can send you a copy
of the manual and additional information.

***

Try ALV.  We use it for Satellite Images all the time.  Also you might
like to consider APE.  Details appended.  Please let me know of anything
interesting that you hear about

(ALV man page, stuff deleted ...)

***

apE
================================================================
Facts About the apE Release:
Here are some details about the availability of the apE software:

What is It?

The apE is a software toolkit for visualizing scientific data. It is
designed to provide the flexibility to examine data in several ways.
Release 1.1 of the apE is designed primarily for visualizing data in two
graphical dimensions. (this does not mean just for visualizing
two-dimensional data).  The apE system places an emphasis on animation and
the integration of the visualization process into the scientific process.

The apE is extendable, and will grow with the addition of more tools and
filters. The apE is a software product resulting from leading research in
computer graphics and scientific visualization conducted by The Ohio
Supercomputer Graphics Project and the Advanced Computing Center for the
Arts and Design.  The apE 2.0, available in winter 1989/90, will address
general visualization problems in both two and three dimensions.

What Computers is it For?

The software package is designed so that there are two types of programs:
interactive tools, and computational filters. The tools allow for
interactive manipulation and examination of data. The filters perform all
the computations.  The filters are usable without the tools, although the
user may need to provide some programming support to create data flows and
view rendered images.

The complete apE toolkit, including the tools (running under SunView),
filters, and documentation, is available for the following workstations:

 - Sun series 4 workstations.
 - Sun series 3 workstations, running SunOS version 4.0 or greater.
 - Sun series 386i workstations.

In addition, the filters are available for the following
computers/workstations running UNIX:

 - Silicon Graphics 4D series workstation--------.
 - Cray X-MP supercomputer.
 - Hewlett-Packard workstations
 - the NeXT workstation
 - the Convex C-1 superminicomputer.

How Do I Get it?

The apE is available via anonymous ftp from oscsuna.osc.edu (128.146.1.4)
in the directory pub/apE.  Send electronic mail to
michelle at rhett.osgp.osc.edu, for more information.

What Does the Release Include?

 - Executable versions of all the programs
   (tools and filters) for Sun-4, Sun-3, and Sun 386i.
 - Complete user documentation for each program.
 - Examples and tutorial.

Source code for the apE version 1.1 is not available; however, future
releases will include source code at a nominal fee (<$100).

apE Version 2.0

The apE 2.0 represents a significant release of graphics software and
tools to the research community.  Built upon the experience of staff
members from the Ohio Supercomputer Graphics Projects and the Advanced
Computing Center for the Arts and Design, the apE 2.0 includes software
that addresses the full range of applications, from science to art.

The apE 2.0 is projected for release in January, 1990, and will be
available in binary form via anonymous ftp much like the apE 1.1.
However, full source code and printed documentation (both user and
programmer) will be available as well for a nominal fee.  The apE 2.0 will
include libraries, filters, tools, and applications.

The apE 2.0 will include basis libraries, libraries for manipulating data
flow structures, and higher level libraries for window system objects
(browsers, etc.).  In addition to the two dimensional tools for scientific
data included in the 1.1 release, the apE 2.0 will also include a complete
polygonal system, with data generation, animation, and rendering; several
mapping systems from scientific data to surface data; a volumetric
rendering system; full image manipulation and post processing software; a
primitive based rendering system (sticks, ball, vectors, etc.), ray
tracing software, and a full toolset for scientific and artistic image
creation and manipulation.

Welcome to the apE ftp directory.

All the files needed to install a binary version of the apE software are
contained here.

The file FACTS is general information about apE.

The CONDITIONS file contains copyright information, please read.

The file install_apE.doc is documentation for the install script
'install_apE'.

The rest of the files are compressed tar files containing the apE
release.
 apE.tar.Z  - documentation, examples, other files
 bin.sun3.tar.Z  - executables for sun3
 bin.sun4.tar.Z  - executables for sun4
 bin.sun386.tar.Z - executables for sun386
 lib.sun3.tar.Z  - libraries for sun3
 lib.sun4.tar.Z  - libraries for sun4
 lib.sun386.tar.Z - libraries for sun386

Copy the 2 install files (install_apE and install_apE.doc), apE.tar.Z, and
the bin and lib compressed tar files for the type(s) of systems you have.

To install apE, go to the directory containing the apE files, and follow
the instructions in install_apE.doc

When the release is correctly installed, remove the compressed tar
files (.Z)

Hints:

(1)  Use binary mode in FTP
(2)  Do the installation for each type of system.

Please send questions to michelle at osgp.osc.edu

			  apE (tm)
		   the animation production Environment
	Copyright (c) 1989 The Ohio State University

Release 1.1
Conditions of Release

The Ohio State University holds copyright in this software, including
documentation and screen designs.  Any person may download a copy of apE
Software Release 1.1 which will be deemed acknowledged by the act of
downloading all or any portion of such software:

1.  The downloaded software, and any copies or derivatives thereof, will
be used solely for research and evaluation, but will not be decompiled,
commercialized,or made available to anyone not acknowledging acceptance of
these conditions.

2.  Acknowledgment of the source of this software will be included on all
copies of it and of any derivatives, including produced works such as
still images and films.  The original copyright notice(s) will be retained
on all copies, including partial  copies, and appropriate copyright
notice(s) will be  placed on all copies of any derivatives.

3.  This apE software and any subsequently released corrections,
improvements, or other modifications, is made available as is, without
warranty of any kind. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND OF FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMED.  Neither the Ohio State
University nor anyone in privity with it shall be liable for any loss or
damages, including without limitation special, indirect or consequential
damages, arising from any use, defect, omission, failure or the like of
said software, nor shall they have any obligation to make available any
corrections, improvements, or other modifications or to provide any
assistance or service of any kind.

For terms under which source code, licenses for commercialization and/or
assistance in developing particular applications can be obtained, please
contact:

   Michelle Messenger
   The Ohio Supercomputer Graphics Project
   1224 Kinnear Road
   Columbus, Ohio  43212
   (614) 292-3274
   email:  michelle at rhett.osgp.osc.edu

***

Did you receive any answers?  If not, you could try:

	Earth Resource Mapping
	316 Churchill Avenue
	Subiaco,  Perth, Western Australia, 6008

	Telephone 09 388 2900
	Fax       09 388 2901

Or contact Richard Kurzeja (one of the directors) by email:
	rk at erm.oz

They have a commercial offering which may be suitable for your requirements.

***

We offer an imaging product called "ER Mapper" that may be of interest.

In summary:

- Normal retail is $14,000 per licensed CPU EDUCATIONAL licenses are
  available for $2,000 per licensed CPU

- The product runs under X-Windows (e.g. X11R4 or OpenWindows), and
  supports 1 bit (control windows only), 8 bit and 24/32 bit displays (we
  supply a X11R4 that supports the RasterOps 24 bit frame buffer and the Sun
  cgeight 24 bit frame buffer).

- ER Mapper is quite happy running on 8 bit displays only; it dithers 24
  bit images down automatically.

- Because ER Mapper runs under X11, it is ideal for educational use.  Some
  general points of interest:

  o Many image windows can be opened

  o Windows can be opened on other workstations on the network - not
    just on the controlling display

  o The OPENLOOK window interface is used, and a great deal of time
    has been spent making the software easy to use people who are not
    computing or imaging experts.

  o About 20 different types of datasets are supplied, and are fully
    documented in the ER Mapper Application and Tutorial manuals.

  o Datasets that can be processed with ER Mapper include: Landsat TM
    and MSS, SPOT MSS and panchromatic, AVHRR (NOAA), DTM, VLF, radiometrics,
    magnetics, geochemical data, gravity, AVIRIS and resistivity.

  o Openfile examples of most of the above are included with the software.

  o There is no limit on dataset size or the number of bands for a dataset.

  o Data may be signed/unsigned: 8 bit, 16 bit, 32 bit, float or double.

  o Real time sun angle shading supported

  o Multiple datasets may be mosaiced together.

  o "Algorithms" which describe the processing to be carried out are created
    by using the graphical user interface.  These algorithms can then be
    recalled at a later date (they are recorded in ascii files) and treated as
    a black-box processing technique.  For example, a algorithm that generates
    a "vegetation index" from AVHRR data could be created, which is then used
    as a black-box processing operation to create a vegetation index from
    AVHRR data.

  o The above "algorithms" make ER Mapper ideal for educational purposes -
    students can be set the task of creating an algorithm.

  o A full set of "standard" algorithms have been created and are supplied and
    documented with ER Mapper.

  o ER Mapper supports the display of vector data over raster images.

  o Supports hardcopy to devices such as postscript printers and various color
    printers and film writers.  Automatically dithers and "strip prints"
    output if necessary for a given hard copy device.

  o Import utilities are provided to import data from many common formats.

I hope the above quick list gives an idea of what ER Mapper is.  Should
you like further information, please email me.

If you wish to send me your postal address we will airmail information to
you on the product.

We have six distributors for ER Mapper in Australia, and our NSW distributor
is ENCOM Technology Pty Ltd, contact:

Dr David Pratt
ENCOM Technology Pty Ltd
PO Box 422
MILSONS POINT NSW 2061
(02) 957 4117  fax (02) 922 6141

You may be interested to know that Hughes Aircraft have purchased ER Mapper
to use it to develop algorithms for the EOS-DIS program.

regards,

Stuart Nixon,	sns at erm.oz.au

Earth Resource Mapping, 316 Churchill St, Subiaco, Western Australia 6008
Phone: +61 9 388 2900   Fax: +61 9 388 2901   E-mail: sns at erm.oz.au

***

ELAS is an image processing package developed at Stennis Space Center, Ms.
by either NASA or their contractor, Lockheed.  It has recently been ported
to SPARCstation 1s, running under X windows with the regular 8bit color
framer buffer ( there are also plans to port it to work with RasterOps
24bit board also).  A contact would be Jimmie Ramsay with Lockheed
@601-688-1988.

 ERDAS is a commercial package.  Call them at 404-248-9000.

Regards,
Rick Conner
205-342-7727

***

>From dmcmillan at East.sun.com

A package you may want to look at is SunVision.  It is not specifically
for remote sensing, but it does have extensive image processing
capabilities.  IP functions can be selected from pull down menus, all
running under Sun's OpenWindows environment.  Programmers can also extend
the functionality of the library and the widow-based tool.  SunVision runs
on any 8-bit color SPARCstations.  It is recommended that you have the GX
8-bit color frame buffer, but other 8-bit frame buffers will also work.
You also need to have at least 16MB of main memory in the system, and
OpenWindows.

If you'd like any information on SunVision, let me know and I'll mail it
to you.

***

From: yo at sunaus.oz (John Young)

Have you asked Sun?  We have a Catalyst portfolio of packages from the
Academic world which are free or very cheap to academic sites.  Ask John
Ashton to send you a copy.  (John manages the UNSW site for Sun)

In particular you should look at the PD software offered by USGS for IP
and GIS activity.  Some of that is very powerful but I am not sure of who
you go to to get copies.

Regards