Imagery may contain information that can be analyzed to help accomplish tasks. The analysis tools contain features to highlight areas of interest through markup, labeling, and measurement.
Each analysis tool can only be used in the Map Panel if a video layer or oriented imagery layer is the primary analysis layer.
Use the Mark Up tool
The markup tools allow you to create simple graphics using text and shape elements to call attention to areas of interest.
Create markup
To create markup, complete the following steps:
- Click the Tools menu in the canvas.
- In the Analysis Tools list, click Mark Up.
- Choose a geometry.
- Point—Click the map to drop a point.
- Line—Click the map to draw a line segment. Double-click to complete the line.
- Rectangle—Click and drag the map to draw a rectangle.
- Polygon—Click the map to draw at least three segments. Double-click to complete the polygon.
- Text label—Type text in the input box and click the map to drop a label.
You can only create markup in the Map Panel if you are connected to a video layer or oriented imagery layer.
- Optionally, prior to drawing mark up, customize mark up with the following options based on the geometry you choose:
- Size
- Style
- Outline
- Fill
- Width
- Transparency
- Font Color (Text label only)
- Font Size (Text label only)
- Name
- Description
To edit or delete an existing markup, open the Mark Up tool and click directly on the corresponding markup graphic on the image. To delete all markup, click the Clear All Mark Up button. All graphics will be deleted.
Note:
You can save markup when an Excalibur project is created or saved. For more information, see Save markup to a project.
Use the Count tool
The Count tool allows you to count objects manually by marking each object with a graphic. The Count tool places a point graphic where you click and keeps a total count associated with each point graphic as it is added.
To count objects , follow these steps:
- Click the Tools menu in the canvas view.
- In the Analysis Tools list, click Count.
- Optionally, in Style Properties, change the following properties of the point graphic that will be created :
- Fill Color
- Outline Color
- Size
- Style
- Optionally, in Count Options, set the following:
- Start At—The number that the count will begin at once a count is started (1–100).
- Increment By—The increment that the count will increase after the first count graphic is added (1–10).
For example, if you set Start At to 2 and Increment By to 2, the following pattern would be expected: 2, 4, 6, 8, ….
- Click Reset to reset the style properties and count options and to clear any current count graphics .
- Once the style properties and count options are set, click Start Count to begin counting .
- Click in the Map Panel or Focus Panel to create a count graphic at that location. Continue clicking to add additional count graphics.
You can only create count graphics in the Map Panel if you are connected to a video layer or oriented imagery layer.
The Count Total updates based on the count start and increment.
- Optionally, once count graphics are added on the map, set the following:
- Undo Last Count—Removes the last count graphic that was placed . You can continue to use this to undo action for a sequential removal of count graphics.
- Clear Count—Removes all count graphics .
- Click Stop Count when the count workflow is complete.
Note:
You can change the Increment By setting when an active count has been stopped.
Use the Measure tool
Measuring ground features in imagery, called image mensuration, is an important function in many image interpretation or feature compilation applications. The Measure tool allows you to measure horizontal and vertical distances, areas, and feature locations on an image in map and image space. The Measure tool also allows you to conduct 3D measurements on your imagery in the Focus Panel. The measurement tool options available will depend on the metadata and capabilities set on the web layer.
To calculate measurements in the map and focus views, complete the following steps:
- Click the Tools menu in the canvas.
- In the Analysis Tools list, click Measure.
- Choose the measurements type.
- Map Measurements—Can only be performed in the Map Panel. Distance and area are the only two measurements available to perform.
- Image Measurements—Can only be performed in the Focus Panel. The available image measurements will be based on information from the image metadata and capabilities on the image service.
- Click a measurement to perform.
- From the drop-down list, choose the units to display.
Note:
The available units to display will be based on the measurement type selected. Point and centroid measurements will automatically generate unit results. - Click the map or image to create a measurement.
The Measurement Results List will automatically populate based on the units selected and the underlying sensor model and information from the image service.
- Optionally, select one or more of the following:
- Hide measurement on map—Turns the visibility of the measurement off.
- Hide label on map—Turns the visibility of the measurement label off.
- Copy to clipboard—Copies the results to the clipboard.
- Clear from list—Removes the measurement from the map and the Measurements Results list.
If the measurement conducted was a Distance measurement type with multiple vertices, the segments will appear in the Measurement Results list where information and options for each segment can be viewed and toggled.
- Click Clear All to remove all measurements from the Map Panel and the Measurements Results list.