Powerful, Simple and Visual LiDAR Exploitation Software
What’s New for Quick Terrain Modeler Version 7.1.0
Released June 7, 2010
Version 7.1.0 adds a tremendous amount of new capability and efficiency, particularly with respect to texture/imagery overlay. For more detail, please refer to the “What’s New” section of the help file, which will have hyperlinks to the specific topics. Here are the highlights:
New Features:
Textures/Imagery Overlay:
Version 7.1.0 makes it very easy and fast to overlay images of virtually unlimited size. As a reminder to our users, “textures” are images that are overlaid and projected onto the model, but are not actually part of the point cloud/DEM. QTM uses OpenGL to perform this function, so we had previously been constrained by whatever OpenGL and video memory limitations exist on any given computer. What it typically meant was that large images (i.e., bigger than the maximum texture or video memory size, commonly 4k x 4k pixels and 512MB respectively, but machine-specific) would trigger an “out of memory” error and could not be displayed. Furthermore, many users required direct overlay of common compressed image formats such as MrSID and ECW. Most of these issues have been resolved in v7.1.0. Here are the highlights:
- More Formats Supported : By incorporating the GDAL open source raster libraries, QTM now supports most available image types. In addition to GeoTIFF, which was already supported, the most important new additions are MrSID, IMG, NITF, and ECW.
- Image Size Limit Dramatically Increased : You should rarely, if ever, get the “Out of Memory” error again when overlaying an image. You may need to accept downsampling and/or chipping of the image, but an image should appear. (Link)
- Chipping/Downsampling Tools: If an image is too big to fit in available video memory or the maximum texture size limit, QTM will automatically downsample until it fits. If downsampling is undesirable, there is a flexible tool to chip out a portion of the image at full resolution. (Link)
- Image Search Tool: Save a tremendous amount of time by searching for images based on spatial parameters, rather than cryptic file names. Simply point QT to a directory and it will find all matching images. (Link)
- Colorize Point Clouds & DEM’s: Create colorized point clouds and DEM’s by sampling the texture color values onto the point cloud or DEM. In the case of point clouds, export XYZ-RGB point clouds in LAS 1.2 format. Send colorized 3D products to downstream users – without sending the original image. Use per-point RGB values to perform filtering and statistical analysis. (Link)
QTA and Point Level Attribute Analysis Tools:
As of version 7.0.0, Quick Terrain Modeler supports point level attributes in a variety of ways. These point-level attributes typically are part of the LAS file point data record or of a proprietary (BPF, ASCII) file that has attached attributes on a per-point basis. Quick Terrain Modeler uses the nomenclature “QTA” to refer to these attributes as well as the index file that permits rapid access to them. Version 7.1.0 offers some significant enhancements to this existing capability. Among the enhancements are the following:
- Quick Color Maps: Quickly colorize point clouds based on LAS point data record attribute values and/or QTA attribute values. For example, quickly color a point cloud by return number, number of returns, first/last/intermediate/only return, point source ID, intensity, or AGL (must calculate Above Ground Level heights first). This allows a quick toggle to inspect point clouds by the most important attribute values. (Analysis Menu and new “QTA” button). (Link)
- Push Grid Stats Results into Point Cloud Attribute: Analysis results achieved by performing Grid Stats analysis can now be added to a point cloud as a point-level attribute. By adding the result as an attribute, users can now perform additional visualization and analysis operations with the QTA attribute analysis tools. For example, a point density calculation can be performed in Grid Stats, then used in QTA multivariate filtering to identify points in which point density is high AND intensity values are low. These types of analyses are the building blocks of feature identification.
- Editing of Classification Values: Users can now select points in a point cloud and manually change the classification attribute on a per-point basis. (Use Selection Area, then CTRL-Right Click to display the "Set Classification" tool). This enables correction of existing, incorrect classification values (e.g., change a point from “vegetation” to “ground” classification) or to reclassify points to entirely new classifications. Edited data can be saved as LAS.
Legends :
There are now legends for a variety of analytical results such as Line of Sight, Helicopter Landing Zone, and QTA Quick Color. While making analysis and colorization results more intuitive, it also eliminates the need to create legends when exporting directly to PowerPoint.
Helicopter Landing Zone (HLZ) Analysis Improvements:
The HLZ tool now does a more thorough analysis when searching for candidate HLZ’s. In addition the obstructions that caused the analysis to “fail” (i.e., create an unsuitable area to land a helicopter) will be highlighted in red. Analysis results now include a results legend.
Model Search Upgrades:
Model Search allows users to find data based on coordinates. It was one of the most popular new tools for Version 7.0.3. This release adds a search radius around the user-set coordinate as well as the choice whether to search subdirectories..
Measurement Lines and Profiles:
Version 7.1.0 enhances the measurement and profile tool even further with these new capabilities:
- Remembers settings: V7.1.0 will remember settings such as “scatter plot” and other configuration settings. This will avoid the need to reset scatter plot widths. etc. every time a new profile is created.
- Re-added support for the selection area to be displayed next to the measurement line when looking at scatter plot profiles. This is now a check box.
- Added direct export of profiles to PowerPoint Presentations.
Set Temp File Location:
In some secure environments, access to the default Windows Temp Folder was restricted, creating some problems in generating PowerPoint exports. This new configuration tool gives the user the ability to use any directory as the temp directory. (File…Options and Settings Menu).
Edit Visible Points Only
With the introduction of ever more sophisticated filtering and clipping tools (e.g., filter by attributes, multivariate filtering, etc.), the need to operate on just the visible points has increased. While these tools have existed previously, they are now explicitly called out in the edit menu. Users can cut, crop, decimate, export, and set the classification on just the visible points. As always, users can still select these tools with the context menu (CTRL-Right Click after a selection area has been placed).
Changes “Under the Hood”
While these changes may not be immediately obvious to users, there have been significant changes to the internal mechanics of rendering and memory consumption. Among the most significant changes:
- Rendering Upgrades: Significant enhancements to rendering algorithms will enable smoother and faster rendering of both point cloud and DEM’s.
- Memory Usage Efficiencies : QTM now uses fewer threads and consumes less memory than before.
Coordinate “Quick Copy ”
Users can now click on any point in the model and type “Control-B” to copy the coordinate under the cursor to the clipboard. This coordinate can then be pasted into other applications.
64-bit QT Reader:
With the 7.1.0 release, we have introduced a 64-bit Quick Terrain Reader that will enable visualization of larger models that have been created with the 64-bit Quick Terrain Modeler and may exceed memory limits of 32-bit machines.
Bug Fixes/Tweaks:
- Added Vertical Datum Geokey to file exports.
- Fixed Marker drag/drop label update bug (labels now update).
- Sped up texture/image search.
- Fixed “Add Vertex Colors from File” bug (BuckEye Data).
- Fixed Configuration option check marks problem (not staying checked).
- Added new tools for Tile Sets – manually select directory during tile set load.
- Fixed “Georegister Model”
- Fixed issue of QT getting “stuck” in the middle of dense point clouds.
- Updated to Software Passport v7 to fix Node Lock keys not being remembered in Windows 7.
- …and many more.
What’s New for Quick Terrain Modeler Version 7.0.3
Version 7.0.3 offers two significant new tools (direct export to PowerPoint and Model Search), a significant reworking of the show/hide models interface, a fix for the v7.0.2 slow rendering problem (large point clouds), and a handful of optimizations for shortening production timelines and working with huge data sets. As always, we appreciate the feedback and insight you provide us.
New Features:
Model Search:
Model Search (File Menu) offers the user a very fast way to locate and load relevant data. Users simply input a coordinate, point to a directory, and QTM quickly finds and displays a list of models and data sets that contain that coordinate. The user then clicks on a list of data/models to begin using that data. Users can input UTM, MGRS, or Lat/Long coordinates to search for data, even if the data sets are in UTM. Coordinate conversion for model search does not apply to Cartesian/State Plane data. This tool will eliminate the time consuming task of manually searching for relevant data sets among long lists of ambiguously named tiles. Search applies not only to our native QTT and QTC files, but also to GeoTIFF DEM, LAS, DTED, SRTM, and shapefiles.
Direct Export to PowerPoint:
Quickly build PowerPoint briefings by directly exporting QTM screen grabs, titles, captions, orientation axes (North arrow), and legends to PowerPoint slides. This tool also enables a "permanent burn" of classification level or other text into the exported images and the ability to save specific view parameters to return to later (i.e., a 3D bookmark).
Show/Hide Model and Flicker Tools:
Version 7.0.3 adds an extremely flexible way to display subsets of models when multiple models are loaded. The new tools permits an automated "flicker" of models and a way to group models together while performing automated or manual flicker. The intent is to customize the flicker to any situation and enable model manipulation (rotate, zoom, etc.) while models flicker. This assists the human eye in discerning changes in terrain, differences between models, and anomalies in data. This tool will be very useful not only production environments for data Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC), but also in operational settings where noticing slight differences in point clouds or DEM's can be very useful.
Mensuration Line:
After finishing placement of a mensuration line, the distance display now remains visible (in previous version it stopped being displayed when the mensuration window popped up). Because the mensuration line display will give a better sense of scale, this will be particularly useful in the export of unregistered imagery (i.e., oblique screen grabs). It will also be useful in conjunction with the PowerPoint Tool and briefing creation.
Quick Terrain Reader Upgrades:
Per recommendations from our DoD customers, the free Quick Terrain Reader will now convert and display coordinates between UTM/MGRS/Geodetic. The primary purpose was to enable the display of MGRS position coordinates in the status bar when QT Reader users loaded UTM data (e.g., BuckEye). In addition, Quick Terrain Reader now has the ability to overlay MGRS grid lines on models.
What’s New for Quick Terrain Modeler Version 7.0.2
- Significant Bug Fixes for v7.0.0
- Added "Clear All Filters" entry to "Filters" menu.
- Added ability to rename Models without having to save the model.
- Added the ability to rename QTA attributes.
- Added "Export Histogram" button to:
- "Color by QTA Attribute" Dialog
- "QTA Continuous Attribute Filtering" Dialog
- "Area Info" Dialog
- "Model Info" Dialog
What’s New for Quick Terrain Modeler Version 7.0.0
QTA Attribute Tables - Working with Point-Level Attributes:
QTA is a new data structure that establishes an attribute table/index when importing QTC point clouds. These attributes are typically the point data record attributes of an LAS file, but can also be imported from attribute columns of an ASCII file. Because Quick Terrain Modeler can now access all attribute values on a per-point basis, the QTA structure enables the following functions:
- Query of all attribute values (e.g., intensity, return number, classification, etc.) for a single point.
- Custom coloration based on attribute values (e.g., color points by return number, classification value, scan angle, etc.)
- Filtering point clouds based on attribute values.
- Performing grid statistics on specific attribute values.
- Placing any attribute in the Z-axis, essentially replacing elevation with another property of the data.
- Writing LAS files with fully populated point data record values.
Proxy Mode: Working with Enormous Files:
Proxy mode is a new tool that enables working with data sets that, from a practical perspective, are unlimited in size. Proxy mode uses the QTA structure to create an index that connects a large source data file to a decimated point cloud. While only a portion of the points are being displayed, analysis functions are performed on the entire source data set.
Batch Scripting:
Batch scripting allows the user to create customized scripts to automate repetitive tasks. The initial functions that can be scripted are import, save, convert model to UTM, and a variety of export formats.
Point to Point Line of Sight
This new Line of Sight (LOS) tool enables detailed terrain and visibility analysis between observers/targets in a terrain. It not only provides an instantaneous yes/no answer to visibility questions, but also provides a terrain profile, distances, changes in elevation, and angle of inclination between terrain positions.
Import Merged GeoTIFF DEM's
This function was implemented for DoD users who wanted to load multiple large GeoTIFF DEM files, but were constrained by memory limitations. Importing merged and/or downsampled GeoTIFF DEM's enables users to work with significantly larger areas of interest.
Undo Function
Added an "Undo" function that will undo the last cut or crop operation.
AGL Analyst
AGL Analyst now works on QTT Models (DEM's).
Customized ASCII Export Configuration
This tool allows users to set the number of decimal places as well as the column order for data exported as an ASCII text file. This will enable setting appropriate levels of precision, thus minimizing ASCII text file sizes by simply minimizing the number of ASCII characters written.
HTML Help
QTM help files are now HTML help. This will enable using help files in Vista.
Sentinel Keys & Floating Licenses
Quick Terrain Modeler will now be able to access multiple keys from the same Sentinel server, thus giving flexibility to the enterprise QTM deployment architecture.
AGL/Alpha Clipping
Added ability to manually set slider range for GL Clip and added ability to copy intensity into alpha.
Revamped Clipping Planes
Users can now implement six simultaneous clipping planes: above and below user specified X, Y, and Z values.
Markers
Increased range of marker size slider as well as improved interactivity with shape files.
Mensuration/Profiles
Added numerous tools to make measurements and profiles easier and more intuitive for both point clouds and DEM's.
Convert Model
Added ability to convert QTC Models between Geodetic and UTM.
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