VrOne

ON-LINE REFERENCE DOCUMENTATION CARDINAL SYSTEMS, LLC 386-439-2525 www.cardinalsystems.net Copyright © 2000-2006 by Cardinal Systems, LLC

RELEASE NOTES

Changes, additions, bug fixes to VrOne and supporting programs

Release notes from VrOne version 1.14 to VrOne version 2.14

The latest changes are listed first.

Copyrights

VrOne Help

Version 2.14 November 10^th 2002

Change Graphic Pointer (ChaGra), Change Layer (ChaLay), Change Pen (ChaPen), Fast Delete (FasDel), Change Elevations (ChaEle), Edit Elevations (EdiEle) – Added the ability to search for multiple entity types in these applications. Previous versions allowed searching for Lines OR Symbols OR Text. The current version allows searching for Line and (or) Symbols and (or) Text. Each entity type may be toggled with button 4 for lines, button 5 for symbols and button 6 for text. The key-ins of SeaLin=, SeaSym= and SeaTex= condition these search values also. The change is useful when deleting items such as spot elevations where the X and the elevation text can be deleted without changing entity modes.

VrTwo – It is now possible to have the VrTwo cursor track along the Model plane or the Ground plane. In previous versions the cursor could track the Model plane only. Tracking the Model plane is useful for photography in which the model camera stations are not at the same angle as the ground coordinate system. This is common in oblique photography and close-range photography. Using the Model plan guarantees predicable cursor movements from the 3D input device and allows collection of ground data from many different photo angles into a common ground data base. For normal aerial photography the cursor should be set to the ground plane. Key-in SetCur to set this parameter from a dialog box or key-in “SetCur Tra Mod” to track the model plane and “SetCur Tra Gro” to track the ground plane.

VrOne – Fixed intermittent one pixel shift problem when displaying images. This problem was observed displaying an image with a metric vector file with a pixel resolution of .4 meters. Non-metric images with even pixel resolutions such as .25 or .5 did not display the problem.

VrTwo Orientation (Vr2Ori) Version 1.09 – Modified Import JFK Orientation so non-fiducial points could have point numbers between one and eight. In the previous versions these numbers were reserved for fiducial points in the JFK measurement (meas) file but now may be used for control points.

VrOrtho - Version 1.12

• Improved orthophoto creation speed where Ortho Area goes outside DTM limits on larger DTM sets.
• Improved the orthophoto creation speed when using bicubic interpolation mode.
• Added an option to display contours in Edit Ortho Area. Contour intervals are set in the project edit dialog under "Edit Ortho Area Params".
• Added an option to display control points in Edit Ortho Area.
• Fixed problem in which orthophotos were not being created
• Added an option to keep DTM in memory after exiting Edit Ortho Area. This allows Edit Ortho Area to be run multiple times without having to generate the DTM again. Anytime the DTM is active, the message "DTM Active" will be displayed in the main VrOrtho window title bar. If Edit Ortho Area DTM mode is set to only model the Image area, then anytime a new image is selected for Edit Ortho Area a new DTM will have to be generated. There following actions will cause the DTM to be unloaded:
• Changing projects
• Creating a new project
• Changing DTM parameters in the Edit Project dialog
• Creating an Ortho image

VrTwo -

• It is now possible to define the shape of the Cursor Mask. This shape may be a square or a circle.
• Added Cursor Mask shape option. The key-in “setcur massha squ|cir” may be used to set the shape of the cursor mask.
• Added Cursor Mask ability to VrTwo Roaming mode. It was previously available in VrTwo Static mode only.
• Added magnified Cursor Mask mode. Holding Shift key down while pressing Del to turn on Cursor Mask, turns on a magnified version of the Cursor Mask. This mode is not recommended during feature collection, as feature will not match up with image inside the cursor mask area.
• Fixed problem with VrTwo crashing on exit in some cases.
• Fixed problem with symbols and text not being displayed sometimes. This would usually happen in a file that contained no lines.
• Improved roaming speed when using large vector files.
• When editing existing projects, changes to image names assigned to a model are now saved correctly.
• Pressing Shift-Home toggles AutoCorrelation mode. Pressing Home reloads graphics.

VrTwo – Began image Auto-Correlation development. This work will be ongoing thru the next several releases and cannot be considered complete at this time. Auto-Correlation has not been fully tested and the results may be unpredictable. The following release notes are tentative and features and command assignments may be changed in future releases.

• Added support for Correlation with manual and automatic modes. Correlation settings may be changed with the SetCor command or in the Vr Configuration program. The "Z COR" command may be used to place the cursor on the ground at any time. The Shift-HOME key will turn AutoCorrelation on and off. If AutoCorrelation is on, then cursor will continously be driven to the ground (if the correlation results pass). In AutoCorrelation mode, a red X is drawn on top of the cursor to indicate that the current cursor location is a result of a successfull correlation.
• Set Correlate (SetCor) – Added this command which gives the ability to set correlation parameters from key-in for VrTwo. A key-in of SetCor with no arguments will bring up a dialog box in which parameters may be set. Possible key-ins for Set Correlate are:
• SetCur PatchSize SIZE_IN_PIXELS
• SetCur SearchWidth WIDTH_IN_PIXELS
• SetCur MinCoeff (Number between -1.0 and 1.0) - Minimum allows correlation coefficient
• SetCur MaxGrdDist (Any Number) - Maximum changed in ground distance allowed
• SetCur MaxElev (Any Number) - Maximum changed in elevation allowed

Vr Configuration Program (VrCfg) - Added ability to set Auto-Correlation parameters.

VrTwo Orientation (Vr2Ori) and Vr Air Triangulation (VrAt) – The following options have been added to the stereo window. This window may be used in Relative Orientation in VrTwo Orientation and in Measure in Vr Air Trig.

• Button 3 toggles the image to move (Left or right). NOTE: Depending on the status of the point to be measured one or both images may be held in Vr Air Trig.
• Button 7 correlates one image to the other
• The PgUp/PgDn keys moves between pyramid levels.
• The Shift-PgUp/Shift-PgDn keys moves between every other pyramid level
• The Ctrl-PgUp keys moves to highest pyramid level.
• The Ctrl-PgDn keys moves to lowest pyramid level.
• Home key re-centers and re-loads available image around current cursor location.
• The mouse thumbwheel now has the following options:
• Normal - Change cursor color (rotates among size different colors)
• Shift Key - Zoom image from 1x and 5x zoom levels
• Ctrl Key - Change cursor size from 1 to 20 pixels
• Alt Key - Change cursor mode between square and dot.

VrTwo Orientation (Vr2Ori)

• Edit Project - Fixed problem where left and right image name changes were not being saved
• Improved the resampling speed when generating epipolar images using bicubic interpolation

Vr Software File Open Dialog - This dialog is used by VrOne, VrTwo, VrOrtho and VrAirTrig when opening VrOne file and TIFF image files.

• Added file sizes to file open dialog, and added sorting columns.
• Made file open dialog expandable.
• Added "Display detailed image information" option when opening images. The following columns are display if this option is on:
• Pixels – Number of pixels in the X and Y direction
• Bits – Image depth (8 or 24 bits)
• Tiled – Is image tiled (Yes or No)
• Compr – Is image compressed (Yes or No)
• Planar – 24 bit red, green, blue planar configuration. Options are Separate in which the three channels are grouped in separate areas (rrrrggggbbbb) and Contiguous in which the three channels are grouped together (rgbrgbrgbrgb).

VrOne and VrTwo Image Control (ImaCon) - Added the ability to apply image brightness and contrast to display only. Added following key-ins that also apply brightness and contrast to displayed images only.

• setbri bbb (Set brightness, bbb = 0-100, 50=No change)
• setcon ccc (Set contrast, ccc = 0-100, 50=No change)
• setbricon bbb ccc (Sets brightness and contrast with one command)

Image Utility Program (ImageUtil) - Added option to convert images between Separate and Contiguous planar configurations.

ASCII In (AscIn) – Fixed problem with standard blank delimited input files.

Delete Layers (DelLay) – Added option to turn off the graphics display while deleting. Graphics will be updated when Delete Layers completes.

Image Merge (ImaMer) - Added option to set background pixel color in areas where there is no original image.

VrOne – Added Z Source key-in arguments:

• “ZSou ActZ” will set the Z Source to the XYZ digitizer or active Z
• “ZSou Dtm” will set the Z Source to the DTM surface, if it is active
• “ZSou ForZ” will set the Z Source to Force Z.

Version 2.12 October 1^st 2002

VrTwo –

• Added the Cursor Mask option, which interactively hides vector graphics, but not image, around the floating mark. This makes it easier to position the floating mark on features that already have vectors displayed such as curb and gutter lines. The size of the Cursor Mask may be set in the VrOne configuration program. To toggle the Cursor Mask on or off press the Delete key on the system keyboard. This feature is available in VrTwo static and roaming modes. The size of the cursor mask may be set in the Vr Configuration program (VrCfig). Cursor masking is available in VrTwo static mode in Version 2.12 and will be available in VrTwo roaming in the upcoming version 2.13.
• Interactive graphics vectors are now displayed in the overlay plane in static mode. This makes the vectors brighter and easier to see.
• Adding the argument “VrTwo” when starting VrOne will now start VrTwo. The current configuration file of vr.cfg is copied to vrtwo.cfg and the proper digitizers are set. Vrtwo.cfg is then used when starting VrOne. A shortcut on the desktop may be created with “C:\vr\bin\vrone.exe vrtwo” in the target field.

VrTwo – Support for the Stealth J-Mouse has been added and is available for VrTwo in static and roaming modes. The J-Mouse mouse has the same functionality as the standard Stealth 3D Mouse with two fast motion joysticks.

VrOne/VrTwo Device Control (DevCon) – Added the ability to disable a button. This may be useful when using the 3-button mouse as the 3D input device and the mouse wheel is being used for z input and not for a VrOne button.

VrTwo Orientation (Vr2Ori) –

• Added the ability to specify the order in which the photo fiducials were read when importing JFK format. This is needed if the fiducials were not read in the standard USGS order.
• Removed the Save button in inner, relative and absolute orientations. Options to save are offered when the Ok button is pressed.

Dxf In – If the size of an incoming block cannot be determined then the size of the symbol will default to 1. Previously the block would be ignored in this case.

Edit Symbol (EdiSym) – Fixed symbol rotation problem that occurred if Cancel was pressed when using the Change (button 7) dialog.

Version 2.11 September 25, 2002

Batch Depression (BatDep) – Added this application. Batch Depression Contours is used to change the graphics pointer of depression contours. A contour is considered a depression contour if it is closed and has an elevation inside it that is lower than the contour elevation. While depression contours can be flagged during creation by the DTM engine, this routine allows the contours to be flagged after they have been edited. There are options to flag contours that not closed (for edge of sheets), to only flag bottom contours (contours with no other contours inside them), and to only flag contours below a specified area. NOTE: The original raw DTM data must be present for this application to work. Raw DTM data is set in Set DTM as the Layers containing points and break lines.

Image Merge (ImaMer) – Added this application which cuts and merges multiple images into a single file. Images to be merged are identified by placing a window that defines a new image area. This area may be any size and may include partial images. Options include the ability to convert color to black and white, apply JPEG compression and define the output pyramid level.

DTM – (SetDtm, RunDtm) –

• Fixed problem in which contour tops could be identified as depression contours.
• Added an option to flag only the bottom depression contour. (SetDtm)
• Fixed problem that could occur when points were on even grid.
• Fixed problem that occurred when the source data contained only break lines. DTM reported there was no data to process.
• DTM window mode now works in VrTwo.

Microstation Translator (MstOut, MstIn) –

• Extended number of characters allowed for file path and file names.
• Added support for file names with spaces in the parameters.
• Fixed problem with color cross-references when Auto Color cross-referencing is not being used.

VrTwo –

• Fixed a problem that occurred when a window was used to identify entities. Applications such are Delete, Copy, Move Window were affected by this problem. This problem occurred in VrTwo only.
• The window may be resized in VrTwo Roaming. Resizing the window may be done by disengage roaming by pressing Insert, resize window and reengage roaming by pressing the Insert key.
• If VrTwo is configured to start in roaming mode and an attempt is made to start without any images, VrTwo will be switched to static mode. Switching from static to roaming mode is done with the Toggle Roaming (TogRoa) command.
• Moving between pyramid levels in VrTwo Roaming takes a few seconds because new imagery and image buffers have to be reloaded. VrTwo now displays a dialog box indicating image is being loaded.
• The following key sequences have been added to VrTwo Roaming:

o Shift->PgUp = Zoom up two pyramid levels

o Shift->PgDn = Zoom down two pyramid levels

o Ctrl->PgUp = Zoom to the top pyramid level.

o Crtl->PgDn = Zoom to the bottom pyramid level (1:1)

VrOrtho Version 1.10 -

• Added an option in Edit Ortho Area Parameters dialog to specify the DTM Extents to be used when setting the orthophoto area. The options are:

o Full - The TIN used will be formed from the entire DTM extents. This will result in a more accurate XY but slower processing times when entering the routine. This does not affect the TIN used when creating the orthophoto.

o Image Extents - The TIN used will be formed from the entities within the current image extents. The routine will start quicker, but the XY will be less accurate.

• Fixed a problem with Set Ortho Area that occurred if using Approximate Z instead of DTM.
• Changed orthophoto image status window so it can be minimized to the taskbar, and does not stay on top of other windows.
• Fixed problem with DTM engine not using break lines.

VrTwo Orientation (Vr2Ori) – Fixed a file path naming problem that could occur if long directory names were used for image files. This problem occurred in Edit Project when defining photos for a model.

VrOrtho – Improved orthophoto generation times.

VrOne/VrTwo - Fixed problem where image pyramids would go in the root image pyramid directory if VrOne was started with the image names on the command line.

Edit Elevations (EdiEle) – Fixed problem that occurred when locking onto a line.

Version 2.10 September 11, 2002

VrTwo – Image roaming is now available with interactive graphics. Roaming mode is when the floating mark stays in the middle of the stereo window and the stereo image and vectors move. Like VrTwo Static mode, all VrOne functionality is available when roaming. It is suggested that a dual-processed computer is used with roaming. Zooming is based on even image pyramid levels with the ability to zoom to .5 from the 1.0 pyramid level.

New commands and key-presses implemented are:

• Toggle Roaming (TogRoa) – Toggles between static and roaming modes.
• Reload Graphics (Rel) – Home Key – Reloads all graphics to roaming display.
• Insert Key – Disengages roaming so the mouse may be used for window functions such as pulling down menus.
• Page Up Key – Zooms out my moving to the next image pyramid level.
• Page Down Key – Zooms in by moving to the next image pyramid level.

Digital Terrain Modeling DTM – (SetDtm, RunDtm) –

• Replaced the DTM engine with a true Delaunay based triangulation algorithm. The result of this change is the generation of more accurate triangles. Please note that any two DTM engines may form slightly different 3D triangles that may affect the aesthetic shape of the contours generated. This is the case between the old and new DTM engine.
• Improved the processing speed of triangulation by approximately 30%.
• Improved the reliability of DTM processing with larger data sets. The new engine has been tested using 1.4 million xyz LIDAR points.
• Added the ability to generate depression contours from DTM processing. Depression contour parameters are configured in DTM Setup (SetDtm).
• Added the ability to generate a line that represents the boundary of the Triangulated Irregular Network (TIN) area. This line will be placed in the VrOne Active Workspace. This parameter is configured in DTM Setup (SetDtm).

MicroStation Out (MstOut) –

• Fixed problem that could occur when global origin is shifted in order to fit the coordinate range of the input MST file.
• Added additional information to the dialog box that is displayed if global origin has to be shifted.
• Changed the way colors are Auto cross-referenced. In earlier releases, only the first nine VrOne pen numbers were cross-referenced, and the cross reference was based on default VrOne colors and default MicroStation colors. This release adds the ability to cross-reference all VrOne colors by either matching to the closest color in the current MicroStation color table, or by replacing the RGB values in the MicroStation color table to exactly match the VrOne colors. The VrOne colors used are the ones that are active at the time of the MstOut translation. A new option has been added to the "Edit Parameters" dialog box to support this change. The new option is labeled "Auto Cross Reference Color Mode", and the choices are:
• Find closest color in Mst color table
• Replace colors in Mst color table for exact match
• MDL MicroStation Out - Added support for matching VrOne colors to the current MicroStation color table if the MstOut "Auto Cross reference Colors" option is set to yes. See MstOut documentation for more details.

Point On Line (Poi) – Added Z mode option that determines the elevation of the point placed on a line. Interpolate computes the elevation based on the current line point before and after the insert point. Current uses the current elevation. The local command for this option is ZMOD=0 for Interpolate or ZMOD=1 for Current.

Python Programming – Added new class GUI (Graphical User Interface) and added PushKeyin. Push key-in pushes a key-in string into the VrOne main window key-in area a presses return. Any valid VrOne key-in may be used.

Plot Control (PloCon) – Added option to label the X then the Y coordinate or the Y then the X coordinate.

VrOne – Num Lock Control (NumCon) – Added the ability to condition the state of the system number lock depending on the status of the VrOne Application Stack. It this parameter is set to Yes then NumLock will be turned off when an application is started and turned on when there are no applications on the stack. When NumLock is off the system keyboard keypad may be used for VrOne buttons 0-9, * and #. If this parameter is set to No then NumLock is not conditioned. This parameter may be set with a key-in of “NumCon 0” or “NumCon 1”. If NumCon is keyed in without an argument a dialog box is presented. NumLock Control may also be entered from the AppStack pull down menu or from the Vr Configuration program VrCfig. (See Also VrOne Keys)

VrOne – Num Lock setting (NumLoc). Added the ability to condition the state of the system number lock from a VrOne key-in. Number lock may be turned on with a key-in of NumLoc On or NumLoc 1. Number lock may be turned off with a key-in of NumLoc Off or NumLoc 0. (See Also VrOne Keys)

VrOne, VrTwo, Vr2Ori, VrOrtho, VrAirTrig – System Keyboard Keypad Assignments - The VrOne keys 0-9 * and # are always available for all input devices from the system keyboard function keys F1-F12. Most system keyboards have a 17 button key keypad with the Num Lock function controlling the output of these keys. It is now possible to output the VrOne keys 0-9 * and # from the system keyboard keypad. Keypad buttons 0-9 output VrOne keys 0-9 and the Del (.) key outputs VrOne * and the Enter Key (Enter) outputs VrOne key #. These VrOne key assignments are active when the Num Lock function is OFF. When the Num Lock function is ON, the keypad outputs normal numeric numbers. (See Also VrOne Keys)

VrTwo – Added support for clutch buttons on the Stealth 3D Mouse. The clutch buttons are the shift buttons, which are the two outermost buttons.

Vr Air Trig (VrAt) – Added ability to export PATB and Vr Air Trig formats.

VrTwo Orientation Program (Vr2Ori) – Added the support for the importing of PATB and VrAirTrig orientations.

VrTwo Orientation Program (Vr2Ori) – Various small improvements and bug fixes.

Vr Configuration Program (VrCfig) – It is now possible to set the parameters for serial (RS-232) devices such as Xy digitizer and stereo-plotters in this program. Previously, the device .set file would be edited with a text editor. Vr still uses the .set file and it may still be modified manually.

Vr Configuration Program (VrCfig) – It is now possible to load other Vr configurations under the file menu. Possible configurations that may be loaded are: vr.cfg – VrOne default configuration, vrtwo.cfg – A configuration to use with VrTwo, vra.cfg – User definable configuration and vrb.cfg – User definable configuration. When staring VrOne the configuration is the first argument. For example starting VrOne with VrOne vrtwo.cfg would start VrOne and load the vrtwo.cfg configuration file. If a configuration file is not specified then vr.cfg is used. Using this method it is possible to create shortcuts on your desktop that start VrOne with different configurations.