Whether you’re in the construction, government, or transportation businesses, ensuring you have clear and concise geo-mapping is essential. Because DAT/EM’s Summit Evolution photogrammetric workstation software includes features that make it user-friendly and cost-effective, you can apply it in many industries: forestry and agriculture, Departments of Transportation, City, State, and Federal infrastructure mapping, military mapping, watershed management, predictive sea level change modeling, and more.

Today, we will discuss the six most common uses of Summit Evolution software from the list above. Summit Evolution is straightforward, easy to learn and use, and is highly configurable to meet individual stereocompiler needs for efficient data collection.  Summit Evolution has the unique capability to compile mapping data directly into a target CAD or GIS system - Bentley MicroStation, AutoDesk AutoCAD, Esri ArcGIS and Blue Marble Global Mapper - all without the need to translate or manage the data after the fact.

Continue reading for a quick overview of the leading industries we serve and how Summit Evolution software helps.

Learn about the Summit Evolution of photogrammetry.

What is Photogrammetry?

Photogrammetry is the science and technology of obtaining reliable information about physical objects and the environment through recording, measuring, and interpreting photographic images and patterns of electromagnetic radiant imagery and other phenomena. Coined from the Prussian architect Albrecht Meydenbauer, photogrammetry appeared in his 1867 article, “Die Photometrographie.” and was defined by the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. (ASPRS)

It’s about as old as photography itself—about 150 years. Since then, it has evolved into digital, or softcopy photogrammetry based on digital imagery and computer vision. The concept involves taking precise measurements of three-dimensional objects primarily from two-dimensional photographs. It’s used in many applications, such as:

• Coordinate measuring
• Quantification of distances, areas, heights, and volumes
• Preparation of topographic maps
• Generation of digital elevation models and orthographics

There are two types of photogrammetry: aerial (in the air or spaceborne with a camera or other sensor) and terrestrial (handheld camera or on a tripod) Two other types of photogrammetry you may encounter include interpretive and metric. Interpretive uses careful and systematic analysis to identify objects and gather considerable factors from an image. Metric photogrammetry is all about finding measurements and covering planimetric and topographical mapping.  Metric photogrammetry is the principal use and focus of Summit Evolution in both airborne and terrestrial cases.

Industry Applications for Summit Evolution Software

As stated above, our software serves several industries. Let’s break down the six common applications for Summit Evolution’s workstation software, how it helps, and what makes it stand out from the rest.  

Forestry and Agriculture

One of the applications Summit Evolution software serves is in the forestry industry. This includes compartment mapping, logging road layout, harvest planning, stand management, forest fire assessment and mitigation. In addition, 3D images enable farmers to get insights into soil quality, irrigation scheduling, nutrition, and pests in agriculture. Another valuable photogrammetry service is the ability to survey land after storms or floods to address growth and crop damage.

City, State, and Federal Infrastructure Mapping

For precision mapping of roadways, bridges, buildings, housing, urban forestry, landscape architecture, and taxable assets, Summit Evolution ensures you have the tools and resources necessary to find and capture 3D stereo data information. The software features:

• CAD and GIS interfaces
• 3D stereo vector superimposition
• Automated feature editing
• Contour generation
• And much more

Summit Evolution can apply coordinate transformation and allow unlimited zoom levels, fast panning, and automatic loading of adjacent stereo models. This works in conjunction with DAT/EM Superimposition of CAD and GIS vectors over the image view. This program is primarily used for precise and accurate planimetric and topographic mapping for use in land management, taxation, roads, infrastructure and other areas of governmental interest. 

Departments of Transportation

Using overhead imagery of roads and streets provides better State and Federal roadway management and long-term planning in a very efficient manner. 3D images produce dimensional data for mapping, design, and computation of earthwork and other construction quantities; it also provides a clear picture of traffic accidents for investigative purposes. With over 75 million vehicles on roadways, the transportation planner is responsible for planning today and tomorrow’s mobility; therefore, using photogrammetry via aircraft, drones, and earth-imaging satellites gives them an accurate visible assessment of infrastructure.

Transportation planning is a massive job that needs to be carefully considered for public roads, neighborhood streets, and highways. Using a 3D aerial view offers a clear image of an area that can be surveyed and studied.

Military Intelligence

If you need software that allows for discovering and capturing 3D information from stereo data, our world-class photogrammetry workstation is one to consider. This software assists in campaign planning, wargaming, access mapping, and defense planning. Photogrammetric mapping provides critical 3D geospatial information necessary for understanding a landscape in precise terms to assist in military operations and planning.   

The two main purposes the military uses aerial imagery is for map preparation, used by Army staffs to plan their operations and by the combat troops to find their way on the ground, from place to place, or when computing field artillery and infantry firing data; it’s also used for intelligence purposes. Precise and accurate information is necessary to ensure successful results for a given campaign.  Summit Evolution can help provide that information quickly and efficiently.

Watershed management

Regional and local authorities use photogrammetric mapping for watershed management, including contour mapping for runoff estimation, flood risk assessment, and emergency response to flooding events. Summit Evolution provides a cost-effective and timely avenue for access planning, evacuation routing as well as providing an accurate depiction of the extent of storm or flood   damage to an area.

When it comes to integrated and participatory watershed management approaches, drones are vital catalysts in providing authorities with integrated management, planning, forecasting, executing, and sustaining projects. Participatory management involves actively collaborating with NGOs, local government, and people.  

Survey and Engineering

With the advent of drone technology, it’s now much easier to collect imagery of a given area at lower costs.  This is a valuable tool for engineers to evaluate a construction project, allowing for more detailed photos or multiple revisits within a given timeframe.  Land surveyors can also take more precise measurements, which assists local government in mapping areas, benefiting the community.

Like land surveying, photogrammetry can also help with commercial and residential development and subdivision planning by giving clients and construction workers perspective images; this allows them to take in-progress visuals or prospective results.

Visit DAT/EM for Summit Evolution’s Software

The applications for photogrammetry are vast and offer valuable tools in many industries when precise data is crucial for mapping and photo extraction. Summit Evolution’s software gives you everything you need to extract precise geospatial data.  In addition, our products include key features that will become more valuable as technology evolves and more industries come on board.

Take advantage of the ground-breaking technology of photogrammetry’s digital landscape and start seeing what makes us stand apart. Visit our product page for more information or contact us for general inquires or sales information.