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Comparisons of ERDAS and ENVI in thematic


mapping
ARTICLE JANUARY 2011
DOI: 10.1109/ICCSN.2011.6014623

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2 AUTHORS, INCLUDING:
Dong Di
Chinese Academy of Sciences
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Retrieved on: 10 January 2016

Comparisons of ERDAS and ENVI in Thematic Mapping

Dong Di

WangDi

School of Remote Sensing and Information Engineering

School of Remote Sensing and Information Engineering

Wuhan University

Wuhan University

Wuhan, China

Wuhan, China

e-mail: dongdide@foxmail.com

e-mail:wangdi_520@yeah.net

band is 30M while 6 band 120M; one SPOT full-color band

and
ENVI
are
two
mainstream
professional image processing software systems in remote
sensing. How to make the best use of these two in thematic
mapping is worth consideration. This paper introduces the
basic processes of thematic mapping and highlights their
advantages and drawbacks, and gives some suggestions for
future work.

Ahstract-ERDAS

image with the resolution


containing

of

projection

10M ,

TXT format file

information

and

geodetic

coordinate information.
II.

METHODS

Figure. 1 shows the basic workflow in the map-making


process, and further explanations will be showed.

Keywords-ERDAS; ENVI; thematic map; comparison


1.

the

INTRODUCTION

As human society has entered the information era, remote


sensing

technology

is

experiencing

subsequently

rapid

development, different formats, different sensors, different


bands, different resolutions, remote sensing data is constantly
being recevived by the satellite ground stations, opening up
broad prospects for wide RS application. However, how to
apply the various types of remote sensing software systems
Figure 1.

reasonably and flexibly for effective data processing, make

Genial design flow chart

utmost feature extraction useful for economic and social


development is a question worthy of discussion. Thematic

A. Format Conversion

map production is one of the most important research topics

As the original data is in TIFF format, while ERDAS and

in remote sensing which needs the job of image processing

ENVI respectively have their own default data processing

softwares. ERDAS and ENVI are two professional dominant


image

processing

softwares,

having

powerful

formats, in order to avoid any abnormalities and facilitate

image

further

processing functions[2]. This paper mainly introduces the


comparisons and applications of these two softwares in

format conversion.

them to one file , in case of spectral data loss.

This test is mainly based on ERDAS IMAGINE 9. 1 and

B. Enhancement

ENVI 6. 1. 1 platforms. ERDAS IMAGINE 9. 1 is a highly

TM original data include two sets of images adjacent to

modularized professional RS image processing and GIS

each other. They should be mosaicked to one image so as to

software system, with functions including data input and

make image fusion with SPOT image. The first step of

output,image display, data preparation, thematic mapping,


image

library

mosaic is geometric correction, in order to find responding

management,

points from the two more easily, image enhancement can be

classification, space modeling, the spectrum analysis, the

tried according to situation.

radar image processing, vector function etc. ENVI6.l.l is a


menu-based software supporting perfect image processing,

C. Geometric Correction

having comprehensive analysis functions for remote sensing

The methods of geometric correction can mostly be

images,which includes classification, image enhancement

classified into two categories, coarse geometric correction

and segmentation, image transformation, filtering, spectral

and precise geometry correction based on control points.

analysis, thematic mapping, radar image processing, etc.


B.

step is

spectral features, we make no band selection, just combine

A. Software

interpretation,

the first

bands altogether, and classification is mostly based on the

thematic map production.

image

processing,

Meanwhile, because TM raw data have 1, 3-7 band, six

This

experiment

Test data

correction methods.

The test data includes two sets of TM adjacent images

D. Mosaic

each containing six bands -the resolution of 1, 3, 4, 5, and 7

uses

accurate

polynomial

geometric

Get one image with the Mosaic algorithm from the TM

978-1-61284-486-2/11/$26.00 2011 IEEE

517

difficult to achieve better effect, what's more, ENVI requires

original data . The basic steps of Mosaic algorithm are


geometric correction, searching mosaic edges, brightness and

to select more cognominal points to get the same result as

contrast adjustment and smooth; the key is how to realize

ERDAS. But as the spatial resolution of this data images are

the

respectively 10M and 30M, it is just difficult to find the

requirements of thematic mapping, after mosaic the result

corresponding points on the two maps, moreover, the region

can be cut into rectangular size.

is mountainous, large obvious feature marks are not many,

smooth

and

seamless

mosaic.

In

order

to

meet

so the choice of cognominal points set a big obstacle. As the

E. Image Fusion

display window of ENVI contains a subject image window,

Image fusion here refers to the fusion of different

a zoom window and a scroll window, and all windows can

resolution image (lOM and 30M), IHS space-based image

readjust size, this may be helpful for cognominal point

fusion is relatively simple and effective. Its central idea is

search. But the selected ENVI cognominal points are not

mainly , first of all, convert the low resolution images from

easy to change again once it is fixed, then beginners always

RGB space to IHS space, then treat high resolution images as

choose to delete them and search again to ensure that the

value I and with low resolution image values of H and S to

RMS ERROR is less than 1 pixel, and the process is time

reconvert from IHS space to RGB space[5], so the processed

consuming .On the other hand, ERDAS may do a better job,

image has higher resolution, while retaining the spectrum

for example, it makes itself more human in automatically

information, so finally get a better visual effect.


F.

updating RMS ERROR after a pair of cognominal points are


added, which is convenient for the user to timely change the

Classification
Classification

classification

mainly

and

divides

supervision

into

position of the points based on the change of the RMS

non-supervised

classification,

the

ERROR,

main

difference is whether the user has prior knowledge or not.

Mosaic, ERDAS software mainly includes mosaic based on


the

adding grids, illustrations, an scale to the map, and in order


to obtain a better effect, treat the merged image as the base

geographic reference based methods,


details in design,

it

neglects many

it doesn't provide any

beginners. In clipping, ERDAS also provides various tools

because of the differences between their design concept -

the choice is relatively single. In image fusion, ERDAS can


directly merge two pieces of varying sized geographical

functions in ENVI are arranged in sequence, and the menu

referenced images, while ENVI should adjust the resolution

form shows great clarity - lead to considerable difference in

of one image in accordance with the other before doing the

their using habits. The functions of ERDAS such as the

fusion algorithm[7]. From this perspective, ERDAS is more

format conversion, image enhancement, etc have special

simple.

tool boxes, and can parallelly operate; while most of the

Image classification is an important part in image

functions in ENVI are scattered in the form of a menu item


cannot

undertake

parallel

processing.

polynomial

sensing,
are

supervised
all

based

and
on

non

spectral

10 parameters, obviously in classification, ENVI shows

Region is relatively complex, having terrain undulation, so

stricter controls; in non-supervised classification ERDAS

generally choose 2 times polynomial correction. Only six

only provides Isodata algorithm while ENVI provides two;

corresponding points are at least needed in ERDAS , while

in

which

supervised

classification

ERDAS

provides

three

algorithms while ENVI six , including the concept of the

suggests ENVI is more strict in the requirements, and in the


proves

remote

ERDAS software needs six parameters, while ENVI needs

correction method is different.As the topography in Yichang

correction

classifications

methods are more diverse, for instance, Isodata algorithm in

geometric

ENVI takes at least nine corresponding points,

in

supervised

in respect of parameter setting, choices of classification

ERDAS and ENVI software is similar, but the number of


accurate

processing

information, both can realize automatic classification. ENVI

The design sty Ie of geometry correction function in

geometric

instance,

such as Require Box, AOI Tools and so on; while in ENVI

ERDAS has a highly modular tool box structure, while the

ENVI

for

relatively obvious, it is more difficult to get a good result for

the two software systems can finish the task smoothly, but

the

mosaic

prepared in advance, if two of image edge information is

In terms of format conversion and image enhancement,

and

and

automatic algorithm for edge searching, the edges must be

A. Experiment Process Analysis

process

mosaic,

tools etc, which of course provides bigger choice space to

RESULTS AND ANALYSIS

the

direct

users. On the other hand, ENVI provides pixel-based and

accuracy of edge detection.

for

reference,

different algorithms or lines drawn by users with the AOI

image, in order to improve the resolution and guarantee the

menu,

geographical

according to mosaic edges automatically calculated by

map, highlight the stream distribution from the classification

needed

accurately

In terms of mosaic, clipping and fusion operations,

The final production steps of thematic mapping includes

points

more

ERDAS appears more diverse and simple than ENVI. In

G. Thematic Mapping

main

get

reference.

the distribution characteristics of water in the merged image.

the

easily

ENVI shows better visualization, which is worth ERDAS'

combing the two classification methods, and then highlights

under

beginners

software is efficient than ENVI in many key details; while

This experiment extracts the stream distribution information

III.

then

cognominal points[4]. SO in geometry correction, ERDAS

end member; in assessment, ENVI creatively invents n

more

Dimensional visualizer, which improves the purity in the

518

sample area for classification precision. Figure. 2 shows the


ERDAS supervised classification image, Figure. 3 shows
the ENVI supervised classification image.

TABLE I!.

Figure 2.

ENVI REPORT

ERDAS Supervised Classification Image

B. Result Comparison
These two software systems do not support Chinese
input, generally users can insert the Photoshop processed
image containing Chinese words as an object to themallc
map. Due to the quick mapping tool, ENVI is more efficient
than ERDAS. Annotations in ERDAS must be mserted
manually, which is relatively complicated. Due to their
advantages and drawbacks, the workflow of ENVI themallc
mapping is a little different to the genial design flow chart,
mosaic is based on pixels;

in image fuslOn,

Pnnclple

Components Analysis is to get three components as RGB


Figure 3.

Both

ENVI Supervised Classification Image

classification

River(Red),

branches

results
of

the

include
Yangtze

values and then do the image fusion with SPOT image in the

the

IHS Space, as Principle Components Analysis has the

Yangtze

River

function of classification, stacking technique is not used to

and

display the map as ERDAS has. Fig. 4 shows the thematic


.
map made by ERDAS, Fig. 5 shows the themallc map made

pools(Magenta), vegetation(Green), residence(Henna) and


roads and open ground(White), 5 classes overall. Results are

by ENVI.

not completely agreed in these two, as ENVI can more


effectively detect the roads and space, residents etc. Table. 1
shows

the ERDAS

assessment

report

using

IV.

"scattered

From

points" method and Table. 2 shows the ENVI assessment

the

above

CONCLUSION

process

report using another set of AOIs from sample areas.

and

comparison,

image processing software systems in remote sensing, have

The assessment reports show that ENVI's classification

their respective advantages and drawbacks. Although the

accuracy is higher, while the accuracy testing methods of

two

ERDAS is worth ENVI's reference. Anyhow, in terms of the

have similar

reference:

degree of convenience in the choice of sample areas, as well

in

functions,

geometry

they need each other for

processing

such

as

geometry

correction, clipping, mosaic etc., ERDAS excels ENVI; in

as parameter settings, ENVI is superir to E AS.In


respect of thematic mapping, ENVI has qUlck mappmg tools,

classification and spectral processing ENVI is better than


ERDAS. So it is suggested that we should make the best use

can add grids, one scale once and for all,which proves to be

of them by applying ERDAS for geometry processing and

convenient.

ENVI for spectral analysis.


TABLE !.

analysis

ERDAS and ENVI systems, as the mainstream professional

ERDASREPORT

519

REFERENCES

Figure 4.

ERDAS Thematic Map

[1]

ZhaoWen-ji (editorial), ENVI remote sensing image processing


project and practice .Beijing: China environmental science press,
2007.

[2]

Wang Hai-qin, Yang Yan, Wang Sheng-yan, "Four remote sensing


image classification software foreign comparative process and effect ",
geographic space information ,vol. 5, 2009,7

[3]

Chen Qing, "Based on the analysis and processing of remote sensing


image - in guangzhou area of northern ETM remote sensing images",
software guide,vol. 6, 2008,7

[4]

Dang An-rong, Wang Xiao-dong, ERDAS IMAGINE remote sensing


image processing method,Beijing: Tsinghua university Press, 2003

[5]

Sun Rong-hua, Guo De-fang, "IHS Merging Based on ERDAS


IMAGINE Spatial Modeler", BULLETIN OF SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY,vol. 22,2006.

[6]

Yesou H, Besnus Y,Rolet Y, "Extraction of spectral information from


Landsat TM data and merger with SPOT panchromatic imagery-A
contribution to the study of geological structures", ISPRS Journal of
Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, vo1.48, 1993, pp.23-36.

[7]

E hlers M, "Multi-sensor image fusion techniques in remote sensing",


ISPRS 1. Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, 1991,46:19-30.

[8]

Kenneth R C, Digital image processing, Prentice-Hall Internation,


Inc.1998, pp. 487-512.

[9]

Jim V, "Multi-spectral imagery band sharpening study",


Photogrammetric Engineering & Remote Sensing, vol. 62, 1996,pp.
1075-1083.

[10] Solberg S,Jain A K,Taxt T, "Multisource classification of remotely


sensed data: Fusion of Landsat TM and SAR Images",.IEEE
Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, vol. 32, 1994, pp.
768-777.
[11] Williams J A,Vegetation Classification Using Landsat TM and SPOT
HRV Imagery in Mountainous Terrain,1992

Figure 5.

ENVI Thematic Map

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors gratefully acknowledge the suggestions


from

Professor

LingNi

and

JixiongZhang

in

Wuhan

University.

520

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