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LPS

Release Notes
v 11
December 2010

Copyright 2010 ERDAS, Inc.


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Government Reserved Rights. MrSID technology incorporated in the Software was developed in part through a project
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Preface
This document provides important information about LPS 2011.

High-level requirements (software and hardware) for installation.


Summary of new features and improvements.
Facts to know, workarounds, helpful hints, and last-minute
information we could not include in the documentation.

See the LPS Configuration Guide for complete installation and


configuration instructions. Do NOT attempt to install ERDAS software
without reading this manual.
For more information regarding ERDAS products, see our web site at
http://erdas.com.

Preface
Preface

1
1

System Requirements
Computer/Processor

Memory (RAM)

2 GB minimum, more strongly recommended1

Disk Space

3 GB for installing all software


7 GB for installing all example data

Customer data storage requirements vary by mapping project2

Operating Systems

32-bit: Intel Pentium 4 HT, Core Duo, Xeon or 100% compatible


64-bit: Intel 64 (EM64T), AMD 64, or equivalent
Multi-core processors are strongly recommended

ERDAS IMAGINE and LPS 2011:

Windows 7 x32 and x64 Professional and Ultimate


Windows Vista x32 and x64 SP2 or higher, Business,
Enterprise & Ultimate

Windows XP Professional x323 and x64 SP3 or higher

ERDAS IMAGINE 2011 (support in addition to the above


versions)4:

Software

Windows Server 2008 x32 and x64 SP2 or higher

OpenGL 1.1 or higher is needed for IMAGINE VirtualGIS,


Image Drape, LPS Terrain Editor, LPS Stereo Point
Measurement and Stereo Analyst for ERDAS IMAGINE.
Microsoft Windows provides a generic OpenGL driver for
supported graphics cards5.
Adobe Acrobat Reader 7 or higher
Internet Explorer 7 and higher with JavaScript enabled, or
Firefox 3 and higher with JavaScript enabled
Java Runtime 1.6.0.20 is installed with ERDAS IMAGINE and
LPS 2011
Microsoft DirectX 9c or higher

System Requirements

Graphics Displays

2D, Perspective, and Anaglyph Display:

Display resolution of 1280 X 1024 X 32 or higher recommended


On board video RAM of 128MB or higher recommended
The latest graphics card drivers recommended

Stereo Display Graphics Cards6:

NVIDIA Quadro FX 5500, 5600


NVIDIA Quadro FX 4500, 4600, 4800
NVIDIA Quadro FX 3400/4400, 3450, 3500, 3800
AMD ATI FirePro V8800, V8750, V8700
AMD ATI FireGL V8600

Stereo Display Monitors:

Peripherals

Planar SD 3D/Stereoscopic Displays

120 Hz LCD Monitors with NVIDIA GeForce 3D Vision Ki7t


True3Di Stereoscopic Monitors (19 version tested)
RealD (formerly Stereographics) CrystalEyes
RealD Monitor ZScreen

DVD Drive required for software installation


One Microsoft Windows compatible mouse with scroll wheel

Microsoft Windows supported hardcopy devices8

Software security requires one of the following:

Ethernet card with TCP/IP configured, or


One USB port for hardware key, or
One standard (DB25) parallel port for hardware key

For advanced data collection select from the following hand


controllers9:

System Requirements

Topomouse or Topomouse USB


Immersion 3D Mouse
Mouse-Trak
Stealth 3D (Immersion), S3D-E type, Serial Port
Stealth Z, S2-Z type, USB version
Stealth V, S3-V type (it should be added as a serial device)

3D Connextion Space Explorer Mouse10


EK2000 Hand Wheels
EMSEN Hand Wheels

ArcGIS Interoperability

ERDAS IMAGINE and LPS 2011 can be safely installed on a


computer that has ArcGIS 9.3 or 10
ERDAS IMAGINE and LPS 2011 can read Personal
Geodatabase Files produced by ArcGIS versions 9.3 or 10
ERDAS IMAGINE and LPS 2011 can interact with
Geodatabase servers running versions 9.3 or 10

In order to read or interact with a Geodatabase, you must either:

Install and license the appropriate version of ArcGIS (9.3 or 10)

or

Install the IMAGINE Geodatabase Support for the appropriate


version of ArcGIS (9.3 or 10), which requires no license)11

1. Systems with less than 4GB of RAM will page memory to the hard disk and have significantly lower performance. Page
files (swap files) should be at least 1.5 x the amount of RAM. See your operating system requirements.
2. Disk I/O is usually the slow point in geospatial data processing. Fast hard disks improve productivity. Reading data from
one disk, writing temp data to a 2nd disk, and writing data to a 3rd disk improves performance. Disk arrays improve productivity, but some RAID options slow performance. Network disk drives are subject to network limitations.
3. Microsoft Windows XP x32 limits output file sizes. The maximum output file size depends upon system configuration and
rarely exceeds 70GB. All other supported OS versions do not experience this limitation.
4. LPS 3D stereo viewing and peripheral requirements limits its operating system options.
5. Microsoft Windows provides a generic OpenGL driver for all supported graphics cards. However, an OpenGL optimized
graphics card and driver are recommended for these applications.
6. Stereo-enabled graphics cards are needed to view 3D stereo. Because all cards do not work in all computers, verify the
card you select is compatible with your computer. When using Planar Stereo displays, please ensure your system can support
using two graphics cards in the system simultaneously.
7. Support for the 120 Hz LCD Monitors with NVIDIA GeoForce 3D Vision Kit requires 191.00 3D Vision USB Driver. Only FX
Quadro 4600 supports the GeForce 3D vision kit.
8. HP-RTL drivers are recommended. Microsoft Windows x64 print servers require 64-bit print drivers.
9. Stealth S-Mouse (S2-S type) and Mouse-Trak are the supported hand controllers in Stereo Analyst for ERDAS IMAGINE.
Topomouse is not supported in Stereo Analyst for ERDAS IMAGINE.
10. 3D Connextion Space Explorer Mouse is supported in LPS 2011.
11. Geodatabase support was designed using ArcGIS Engine 10.x.x.x.x.

These requirements are subject to change. Please visit our web


site at http://www.erdas.com for the latest specifications.

System Requirements

Whats New?
LPS 2011
LPS is a collection of seamlessly integrated software applications
providing accurate and production-oriented photogrammetric tools for a
broad range of geospatial imaging applications. The keys to LPSs
productivity are automated algorithms, fast processing and a tight focus
on workflow through the unique workflow toolbar. LPSs state-of-the art
photogrammetric and image processing algorithms for automatic point
measurement, triangulation, automatic terrain extraction and sub pixel
point positioning help improve accuracy while simultaneously
increasing productivity. Add-on modules provide additional productionoriented tools that help maximize data throughput.

LPS Core
Ortho clipping with
polygons
[more efficient processing]

Whats New?

Ortho generation for an area of interest defined by a shape file or AOI


is introduced. Areas of interest in multiple images are handled by
matching whole/part of the input image name with an attribute of the
AOI or shape file. This reduces production time by excluding unneeded
pixels from processing.

Distributed ortho
generation
[reduce production time]

By combining the batch capability of LPS with Condor (third party freely
downloadable software) LPS harnesses the power of several
networked computers for high throughput ortho generation. On
machines with multi core CPUs, ortho processing can be run on the
multiple cores to speed up the process.

Whats New?

Better handling of no
data & zero values in
DTM for ortho generation

No data values that are set in DTM are now used as the only no data
value during ortho generation process. Zero is considered as a valid
data unless specifically set as no-data value in the DTM.

[streamlined workflow]

Persist coordinate system


into LAS format

Coordinate system information is persisted in the output file when


generating DTMs in LAS format.

ADS40 demand loading of


ODF

ODF files associated with ADS40 Images are loaded on demand when
the images are accessed and will be unloaded if the images are not
accessed for a certain period.

AUSGEOID98 vertical
DATUM support

Support for AUSGEOID98, a gravimetric geoid for Australia, is added.

[Flexibility]

[better memory handling]

[New datum support]

Whats New?

Ortho photos (base maps)


for horizontal reference
source in Stereo Point
Measurement tool (SPM)

Support for using multiple orthos (base maps) as a horizontal reference


source is added in SPMT. Orthos are listed in the image list based on
overlap criteria with the master image and can be loaded in the viewer
for identifying reference points.

[improved workflow]

Use initial orientation in


SPM

Initial orientation values are now used to compute image footprints and
overlaps and can be used to perform various operations in SPMT
including point measurement and prediction.

Rasterization
improvement in TPT

The size and number of raster DTMs, and the processing speed has
been significantly improved.

[increase productivity]

[enhanced performance]

Contour generation in
TPT

Ability to generate contours while creating surfaces in TPT has been


added. Contour generation options include setting root heiht, specifying
contour interval, the ability to smooth contours, and removal of contour
lines based on length and area.

LPS eATE

LPS eATE is an LPS module for generating high resolution terrain


information from stereo imagery. Featuring a completely new design
and sophisticated algorithms for generating and classifying dense
elevation surfaces, eATE provides an unparalleled environment for
processing terrain data. This highly flexible solution provides
capabilities for data types ranging from satellite to airborne frame and
digital pushbroom sensors and operates in a multi-processor/multimachine environment.

Distributed DTM merging

Distribution of terrain generation process to multiple cores/multiple


machines which was introduced in previous version has been extended
to include the distribution of the merging process thereby reducing the
overall processing time.

[improved workflow]

[enhanced performance]

Whats New?

Reduced redundant
processing in overlap
areas

The terrain processing logic has been improved to avoid/minimize


redundant processing in areas that are covered by multiple stereo pairs.

Radiometric processing
introduced

As part of the terrain generation process, an optional radiometric


processing is introduced to improve results from images with poor
radiometric quality.

Bing maps

For the XML-based reporting method, Bing Maps is added an option for
rendering project area base map.

[reduced processing time]

[better quality terrain]

[flexibility in report generation]

ORIMA

ORIMA is an LPS add on providing advanced aerial triangulation and


visual analysis tools. The premiere solution for frame, ADS40 and
ADS80 and other digital sensors, ORIMA is proven and robust
technology relied on by Photogrammetry professionals around the
world. Providing a strong set of analysis tools, ORIMA supports large
production jobs requiring high throughput.

Automatic sub-block
creation for APM

A new way to automatically create sub-blocks for APM is created. This


simplifies the work on large projects as the manual start of multiple
APMs is now automated.

Automatic start of CAP-A

A new option to start CAP-A automatically once the last APM thread
completes is implemented

[ease of use for large projects]

[reduce idle time]

A complete new
workflow for IMU
supported projects

Whats New?

[Speed improvement]

A new workflow that better utilizes IMU is introduced. In this workflow,


images are triangulated at certain time interval along the flight
trajectory. For in between images, orientation values are interpolated
from the neighboring images that have been included in the
triangulation.

Direct import of GPS data


to any non-LSR Project

GPS data in geographic coordinates based on WGS84 can now be


directly imported to any non-LSR project independent of the type of
project coordinate system being used

Import IMU data that


refer to map north

Meridian convergence correction option that allows the import of IMU


data whose angles refer to map north instead of geographic north is
implemented.

Use a blocks exterior


orientation values as
GPS/IMU data when
starting an ORIMA project

During project creation, if ORIMA finds that the orientation status of the
block file is Fixed it imports the values and stores them into the GPS
and IMU data files.

[ease of use]

[increased productivity]

[improved workflow]

Support for oblique


frame images

A new algorithm to compute initial values for bundle adjustment is


implemented to support oblique frame imagery.

Improved GPS profile


assignment of flight strips

GPS Profile assignment of flight strips has been improved and made to
be a single step procedure.

[Support for oblique frame imagery]

[ease of use]

Simplified group ID
assignment to IMU
observations

Assigning group IDs to IMU observations has been simplified to make


it especially helpful to projects flown with multiple cameras mounted on
a common platform.

Toggle stereo/split screen


view in measuring mode

For Frame projects a new option in the point measurement dialog


allows you to toggle the views between stereo and split screen while in
measuring mode.

[ease of use]

[flexibility]

Convert image IDs to


lower case when
importing GPS/IMU data

[reduced

Since in LPS Image IDs are always in lower case, ORIMA now converts
the Image IDs of GPS/IMU data to lower case to match the image IDs
of LPS.

preprocessing]

Faster algorithm for


computing adjusted
orientation data odf
for ADS

A new algorithm to compute the adjusted orientation data odf for ADS
is more than five times faster than the existing algorithm.

[reduced computation time]

10

Whats New?

Customer Resolutions
LPS
LPS - General

OrthoProcess

Photo Imp/Exp

Enhanced method for graphically selecting images in the project


window. You can now drag and select images, select/deselect
single images from a group of images, and SHIFT-click-hold and
drag to select additional images when a group is already selected.
[LPS-4142]
You can now apply a different resolution to images from cameras
with different resolutions using the "Apply to all active Frames"
option. Set the images to Active in the cellarray and then click this
option on the Interior Orientation tab of the Frame Editor dialog.
[LPS-4341]
Added ability to select groups of images to be active/inactive using
the click and drag option to select images then click in any
highlighted Active column to make all highlighted images as
active/inactive. [LPS-4349]
Added ability to output an orthoimage to the boundary of a specified
shapefile. [LPS-1676]
Using the OrthoResampling dialog, you can now edit the Cell X/Y
field for a single image or for multiple images. [LPS-2544]
Import of ULTRACAM camera information via MATCH-AT format is
now supported. [LPS-2383]
Added ability to attach multiple files at once. [LPS-4493]

SPM

Updated SPM to load ortho images and eliminated the need for
horizontal reference information. [LPS-4389]

Terrain Editor

Added ability to hide inactive, offline, or unsolved single images


from view. [LPS-4093]
Added right-click option to access Display Criteria from the Images
folder. [LPS-4252]

Customer Resolutions

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Known Issues
LPS
APM

ATE

There is a known performance issue with stripped TIFFs in many


processes such as APM and ATE which access data in a tiled
approach. It is recommended for customers to convert their stripped
TIFF to tiled TIFF to get the best performance from LPS. [LPS-3536]
APM and Automatic Terrain Extraction in LPS require each image
to have all pyramid levels. If your image pyramids were generated
by IMAGINE, the first and second pyramid layers could be skipped.
If this is the case, APM will try to delete the original pyramid layers
and recompute a new pyramid. If there is no write permission or if
the original pyramids are being used by another application, you
may get an error message such as "Cannot destroy layer". [LPS92]
The global DTM normally reflects the actual terrain for most of the
Earth with a vertical accuracy of 25 meters. However, it is not
guaranteed and may have much coarser accuracy in some regions.
You need to visually check terrain range with Terrain Editor and
update the min/max value for the Z Search Range properties on the
Area Selection dialog under Advanced Properties.
You can use the Export to KML feature and view the images using
Google Earth. Roam to find the minimum and maximum elevation
range and evaluate the quality of the computed range. [LPS-1628]

BlockTriangulation

When the actual ray convergence angle formed between points


measured on two images is smaller than the angle threshold set in
the preference "Raster Processing" and those two rays are not
actually the same ray (from the same parent strip image), you may
encounter issues with triangulation convergence. To resolve this,
remove the point or lower the threshold. [LPS-2227]

LPS - General

If you load an old blockfile and the initial exterior orientation appears
red in the cellarray, select Edit -> Frame Editor.. -> OK. This will
recompute all images and correctly reflect the EO status. [LPS-258]
LPS no longer supports polynomial order 2 and higher in the RPC
refinement because the higher order polynomials do not produce
better results. [LPS-704]

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Known Issues

OrthoProcess

If the Orthorectification dialog terminates unexpectedly when


selecting a DEM as the elevation source, it is possible that the DEM
has corrupt projection information in the default data directory. To
correct the DEM, use the Image Command tool to delete the
existing projection, then specify the corrrect projection information
using the Change Projection Options dialog. [LPS-2001]

Sensor Models

Some EROS data has mismatched image height information in the


PASS file, image file, and TQR file. The number of TQR records is
not expected to be less than the image height defined in PASS file.
If the height in PASS file is too large, a message displays. To work
around this, manually edit the PASS file height to be the same as
the raster image file height. [LPS-2119]

Terrain Editor

With any mixed sensor block file, the epipolar correction in TE uses
the mean elevation from the image calibration. The images
calibrated with global DEM usually do not have the correct mean
elevation, which could lead to wrong epipolar geometry. To correct
the problem, re-calibrate the images with a DEM or a constant value
that has a mean elevation truly representing the image area. [LPS3531]
If you are importing breaklines to a DTM with highly densified points,
some breaklines may not be imported. A message warns you of the
number of breaklines not imported.

The workaround is to merge the DTM and breaklines in the Terrain


Prep Tool before loading to TE. [LPS-535]

Known Issues

13

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