Uses for Didger
Start processing your data quickly and accurately with Didger. Some applications for Didger include:
- digitizing points, polylines,
and polygons, such as oil and gas wells, monitoring wells, wireline
logs, graphs, contour lines, aerial photographs, satellite images,
seismic lines, roads, property boundaries, buildings, sample locations,
faults, rock formations, vegetation boundaries, and animal habitats
- calculating areas of polygons, such as watershed or lake areas
- calculating lengths of polylines, such as shorelines, roads, streams, or migratory routes
- georeferencing and/or mosaicking aerial photos or scanned images
- converting the projection of scanned images, vector files, data files, or Surfer GRD or DEM files
- overlaying vector, data, and image files to create a complete map
- and much more!
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Didger
makes it easy to quickly extract the data you need from images. Import
an image, such as a USGS Digital Raster Graphic, and Didger can
automatically pick out and digitize the contour lines in seconds
(digitized in yellow above). Assign elevations to the contours and with
just a few clicks import the contour data directly into Surfer as a
colorful and customizable contour map, ready to overlay or combine with
other data.
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Digitize any map, graph, aerial photo, site map, or printed image
regardless of size using any Wintab compatible tablet, or scan it in
and digitize it onscreen! For example, import and calibrate a scanned
image of a well log and digitize the log information, including any
wrapped portions of the log! Easily export the digitized data to an LAS
file.
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Mosaic
multiple large USGS Digital Ortho Quarter Quads (DOQQs) and overlay
them with other imported information, such as hydrography (blue) and
road (orange) data. Reproject files on import so all your data is in
one cohesive coordinate system.
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Georeference images in Didger and digitize information directly on the
image. Change the projection of the entire project and add graticule
lines to ensure your data is presented at its best. Digitized data can
be exported to all industry standard vector files such as SHP, MIF and
DXF.
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Digitizing Options
The process of creating new
digital information often starts with a paper map, graph or log, or a
digital image such as an aerial photo, satellite imagery or scanned
paper map. Didger provides an easy and complete solution to digitize
vector data from your source documents and files by using a powerful
set of manual and automatic tools. You can digitize text, points,
polylines, polygons, rectangles, circles, spline areas, spline
polylines, and wrapped polylines. Didger supports four ways to digitize
information:
1. Full Automatic Digitizing!
Didger supports advanced raster to vector conversion for automated map
digitizing! This means that one command will automatically convert your
scanned map, image, or drawing to vector formats quickly and at high
quality. This eliminates the need for slow and inaccurate manual
digitizing of detailed lines – let Didger do it for you! The lines and
polygons are extracted and displayed right on top of the image for you
to verify and edit. Didger also boasts a full line of preprocessing
options for finer control over the vectorization process so you can get
the best possible results!
A georeferenced USGS Digital Raster Graphic was imported into Didger 4 (left).
The contour lines were detected and automatically vectorized to red polylines (right).
2. Manual Onscreen Digitizing!
You can perform onscreen digitizing using an imported vector file or
imported image file. Performing heads-up digitizing has never been
easier. You simply draw the object on the screen using your mouse. You
can zoom in and out, or pan the screen while digitizing so you can
always see clearly what you want to digitize.
In this example, the boundary of the Modoc Plateau
in Northern California being digitized in blue from a
calibrated raster image of the geology of California.
3. Tablet Digitizing!
You can digitize hard copy documents using any Wintab32 compatible
digitizing tablet. Nearly all digitizing tablets work with Didger.
Simply put the document on the tablet, step through the intuitive
Tablet Calibration Wizard to define a coordinate system, and you are
ready to go!
You can digitize paper documents with a
digitizing tablet and a puck or stylus.
4. GPS Digitizing!
Any NMEA compatible GPS device connected to your computer's serial port
can be used as a digitizing device in Didger. Once the GPS is set up to
communicate with Didger, you can begin digitizing over any map. Use the
GPS for a "moving map" effect to automatically move the map as you
travel. You can use your GPS unit to digitize your position, well
locations, fence lines, roads, streams, drainage lines, tree lines,
crop boundaries, sample locations, trails, or track your route
real-time directly onto your map!
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Digitize
points, polylines, and polygons with your GPS unit! View your current
elevation, see the current position of the satellites that are being
used for a lock, display the raw data being sent from the GPS, and set
the GPS input datum in the GPS Commander dialog box.
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Versatility
Compatibility!
Didger 4 is tremendously flexible. Didger supports over 40 import file
formats and exports in over 25 file formats to make sure you can import
and export your data in the formats you need. Create large coverages
easily by importing several vector, data, or image files into one
project. The files will align according to their coordinate systems.
Import or export multi-line LAS files, export as a PDF file, or export
as an HTM file with working hyperlinks to publish your maps on the web
for browsing by anyone.
Object Editing!
We know creating and editing data is very important to you, so we have
made every effort to make it as easy and efficient as possible! Change
color,
line styles,
fill
patterns,
symbol size, and font properties with just a few clicks. Polylines can
be created, moved, joined, resampled, split, removed, trimmed, colored,
and labeled. Closed polygons are formed easily from existing polylines
with the polygon editing tools. Convert points to polylines, polylines
to polygons, and vice versa. Each object has its own invisibility
control, so you can create any type of map, showing only the data you
want without actually removing data from your project. You can also
assure you have all the information you need by creating up to 256
identification attributes per object!
Layers! Keep
your project organized by importing and creating data for different
themes onto different layers! Didger’s Layer Manager makes managing the
layers easy – including moving objects between layers, renaming the
layer, turning the layer on or off, and locking the layer so that you
cannot accidentally edit or move items on that layer. Data editing and
handling is easier than ever!
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Organize your data easily by separating
components onto different layers. The Layer Manager makes accessing and editing layer properties easy!
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Working with
Images
Images are powerful visualization tools,
whether they are aerial photographs, scanned geologic maps, or company
logos. Didger makes working with images simple and uncomplicated.
TerraServer images!
Didger 4 includes the astounding ability to link directly to the USGS
TerraServer database and download satellite imagery and topographic
maps free of charge! Simply select the area of interest and the images
are imported into your project and automatically
georeferenced!
Tremendous flexibility when importing images!
Whether you import one image, or mosaic multiple images together,Didger
makes it easy for you. You can import georeferenced images that are
imported automatically in the correct locations, you can import images
which you can georeference upon import, or you can import images which
you can drag and drop anywhere in your project. For example, you can
import georeferenced TerraServer images of your project area directly
into Didger, combine it with some new aerial photography that you
georeferenced in Didger, and then add a company logo or small reference
map and place it in the corner of the project.
Clip your images!
Didger offers more options than ever to clip your images to the extents
you need. Import multiple adjacent USGS DRG files and automatically
clip off the collars to seamlessly view the entire map. You can also
simply draw a polygon and clip your image(s) to that polygon. If you
make a mistake, or want to see the entire image again, you can always
remove the clipping. If your image is very large and you only need a
small portion of it, you can permanently crop the image.
Two adjacent USGS DRG files were imported into Didger and a polygon outlining the area of
interest was digitized on top in blue (left). The collars were clipped from the DRGs
and the images were clipped again to the polygon (right).
Powerful Image Processing!
There are many useful image-editing tools available in Didger to use on
an imported image. You can select up to 256 colors to be transparent in
an image so you can view objects behind the image, change a selected
color to any other selected color, convert the color depth of an image,
change the number of colors in an image, sharpen images to emphasize
details and aid in restoring them to a more enhanced state, “blur” the
image so that major details are seen more easily and background noise
and other anomalies are removed, filter the image to help accentuate
spatial details, and adjust the contrast, brightness, and saturation of
the image to fine tune the visibility of the image. You can also
convert an image to grayscale or black and white, which is useful when
the file size is very large because these color modes reduce the memory
overhead and allows the program to process information more
quickly.
Large image handling and MrSID compatibility!
Improved technology is making large image files increasingly common.
Didger 4 contains the most sophisticated and advanced image handling
routines to import and export large image. Didger also allows direct
import of MrSID files, making it even easier to work with large images!
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Import high resolution MrSID files seamlessly into
Didger!
In this example, four 1-meter resolution MrSID files were imported.
Utilization of the image includes identifying areas obscured by trees
or vegetation that require additional field survey, digitizing the
centerlines of roads, property boundaries, etc., and exporting to a DXF
or geo-referenced image file to be used by other software for flight
planning and target placement.
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Create and export large image coverages easily!
In this example, seventeen USGS Digital Ortho Quarter Quads (DOQQs) were overlaid,
ready to be digitized or overlaid with other vector data.
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Easy Image
Georeferencing
Didger’s fast and easy georeferencing
process makes it possible to rapidly convert un-referenced images and
scanned paper documents to real world coordinate systems (e.g., UTM,
State Plane, Latitude/Longitude) for use in Didger or other GIS
programs.
Use a set of control points or point
locations in your existing project to georeference a new image. Simply
pick three or more points on the image, assign coordinates to those
points, assign a projection and datum if applicable, and import! If you
don’t know the coordinates of any points on the image but you know
where in the project the image is supposed to be, you can simply choose
points on the image and tie them to the corresponding locations in your
existing project! It’s that simple!
Registering an image has never been easier! Simply enter the calibration points,
click on the image and it is ready to load into your project!
Didger also gives you more options than
ever to make sure the georeferencing of your image is of the highest
quality! You can choose one of 10 spatial transformation methods
to give you the most precise georereferencing possible. Didger
automatically calculates and reports the root-mean-square (RMS) error
value for immediate evaluation of the georeferencing accuracy. When the
georeferenced image is loaded into your project, the image is warped to
eliminate any distortion, so that the georeferencing matches the
calibration exactly! There’s no better way to georeference your images!
Once an image is georeferenced and
loaded into Didger, you can overlay it with other spatial data,
digitize information from it, tile it with other georeferenced images,
or export it to a georeferenced image format for use in other programs.
Didger imports and exports industry standard GeoTIFF, Blue Marble RSF,
Golden Software GSR, ESRI PRJ, and ESRI World (TFW, JGW) referencing
files.
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A georeferenced satellite image was overlaid with a data file of sample locations and vector files of roads and contours.
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Didger
is not just for maps! Digitize any plotted information, such as graphs
or well logs, from a digitzing tablet or scanned image. For example,
the six curves in the above scanned graph were digitized in green,
ready for export!
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Vector Based Maps
and Data Files
With Didger you can import a variety of
vector based maps and data files in many formats. Create large
coverages easily by importing several vector or data files into one
project. The files will align according to their coordinate systems.
Digitize new features onto an existing vector plot from your digitizing
tablet and map, or digitize onscreen. Change line styles, object IDs,
and add labels to objects with ease. Even import different files onto
separate layers!
If the files are projected and contain
different projection information, they will be converted to the
projection of the first imported file using a datum transformation. You
can also convert vector or data files from one projection to
another.
This graphic shows three vector files and a data file imported into Didger in the Lambert Azimuthal Equal Area projection.
Map Projections, Datums and
Coordinate Conversion Options
Didger makes it easy to assign or change
the projection and/or datum of your data, vector, or image files from
one coordinate system to another. For example, in a few simple steps
you can convert latitude/longitude data to State Plane data, State
Plane data to UTM data, or convert your data from NAD27 to NAD83. You
can import multiple data sets into your current Didger project and
Didger converts the projection of the files automatically during import
to match that of the current project; or, you can convert the
projection of data sets individually, save them in the new projection,
and use them in other applications. It has never been this easy to
seamlessly combine all your information.
Didger supports 29 popular projections
and allows you to specify settings for each projection appropriate to
your data set. Didger’s datum dictionary contains the definitions of
over 250 datums
used around the world. You can even create your own custom datum and
add it to the datum list! When defining a custom datum, you can select
one of
56 ellipsoid definitions
or define your own ellipsoid, and choose between Molodensky and Bursa
Wolfe datum transformation methods. Save projection parameters and
custom datum settings to a file and load it the next time you want to
use the same settings! This saves you time so you don’t have to keep
manually entering the same settings for each project.
In addition to projection and datum
transformations, Didger can also convert coordinates of vector and data
files by utilizing either a math or georeference operation. If you just
want to shift your data coordinates by 50 meters, simply use the math
operation to add 50 meters to all the coordinates in your project. You
can add, subtract, multiple, and divide your X and/or Y coordinates
using any constant value. Alternatively, if you know real world
coordinates of specific points in your vector files, you can use the
advanced georeferencing operation. Simply click on the source location,
enter the destination coordinates, and Didger’s georeferencing methods
will convert the current project into the new coordinate system. It’s
that easy!
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Create
stunning world maps in a variety of projections to convey your
information easily. The graphic above uses the Equidistant Conic
projection.
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Surfer Compatible
Now it is easy to see your maps the way
you want them! Automatically digitize contour or other 3D data in
Didger and send them directly into Surfer with a click of a button to
change contour properties, overlay with 3D terrain surfaces, DEM files,
or other 3D imagery. Didger also makes it easy to directly convert the
projection Surfer GRD or DEM files, so you can have all your maps in
the same coordinate system in Surfer!
Digitize your information, recording the Z value and automatically create colorful contour,
image, or shaded relief maps in Surfer!
Advanced Editing Features
- Convert the coordinates of your entire project.
- Set individual objects to be visible/invisible.
- Thin and smooth objects.
- Reshape objects by adjusting individual nodes.
- Resample, connect, break or trim polylines.
- Convert polygons to polylines and vice versa.
- Convert points to polylines and vice versa.
- Break polylines at intersections.
- Create points at each polyline and/or polygon intersection.
- Convert a polyline to a polygon with a shared border.
- Create a polygon by automatically tracing around the outside of a group of overlapping or adjacent polygons.
- Create a polygon from the common area of selected polygons.
- Subtract the overlapping portions of selected polygons.
- Divide a polygon with a polyline.
- Create a new polygon that surrounds all selected objects.
- Create polygons by locator or by ID.
- Snap polylines together.
- Snap undershoot or trim overshoot polylines.
- Remove duplicate objects or polylines by length.
- Combine, split, and/or reverse islands and lakes.
- Customize objects with full line, symbol, fill and font libraries.
- Rotate objects.
Import and Export Formats
Many sophisticated import and export
filters come with Didger, simplifying the transfer of your data and
images to and from your other applications.
Spatially Referenced formats: GeoTIFF, TFW, PRJ, GSR, RSF
Import formats: BLN, BMP, BNA,
CLP, CSV, DAT, DCX, DXF, 3D DXF, DDF, DEM, DLG, DTED, E00, ECW, EMF,
EPS, Georeferenced TIF, GIF, GRD, GSB, GSI, HDR, JPG, LAS, LGO, LGS,
MIF, PCT, PCX, PLT, PNG, SID, SHP, SLK, TIF, TGA, TXT, W??, WMF, WPG,
XLS
Export formats: BLN, BMP, BNA,
CLP, CGM, DAT, DCX, DXF, 3D DXF, EMF, EPS, Georeferenced TIF, GIF, GSB,
GSI, HTM, JPG, LAS, MIF, PCT, PCX, PDF, PNG, SHP, TGA, TIF, WMF, WPG
Important News about Digitizing Tablets
Nearly all digitizing tablets work with
Didger. If you already have a tablet, Didger requires a 32-bit WinTab
compliant digitizing tablet driver, available from most tablet
manufactures (for no charge) or from third party vendors.
If you don’t currently own a tablet, you
shouldn’t be discouraged. The price of new, high-resolution digitizing
tablets is astonishingly low. And with Didger’s capabilities, large
maps are easily digitized in a single project so even smaller tablets
work quite well.
See a list of tablet manufacturers:
GTCO/Calcomp / Summagraphics
Phone: 410-381-6688 (GTCO Corporate Headquarters)
Phone: 480-948-6540 (CalComp and Summagraphics Arizona Office)
Web Site: www.gtco.com
Genius
Phone: 909-423-2417
BBS: (909) 923-8454
Web Site: www.geniusnet.com.tw/
LASICO
Phone: 800-821-9656
(Wintab driver will be available in the near future)
Numonics
Phone: 800-523-6716
WACOM
Phone: 360-750-8882 (800-922-9348 U.S. only)
email: support@wacom.com
Web Site: www.wacom.com
Digitizer Technology
Phone: (425) 868-3246
email: sales@vtablet.com
or support@vtablet.com
Web Site: www.vtablet.com
Digitizer Technology offers Windows drivers for a variety of
digitizing tablets. These drivers are Wintab compatible.
System
Requirements
- Windows 2000, XP, Vista, and higher
- 100 MB of free hard disk space
- 512 MB RAM minimum, 1 GB or higher recommended for large images
- 1024 x 768 x 16-bit color minimum monitor resolution
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