Integration & Automation
Commands for integrating external tools and automating workflows including flight path animation, image processing, HTML editing, Python scripting, and web browser integration. These commands appear in context-sensitive tabs (Flight Path, 2D Image, HTML Editor, Python, WWW).
Flight Path Animation
Flight paths create animated camera tours through 3D scenes for presentations, documentation, or virtual field trips.
Create Flight Path
Ribbon button: Create (in Flight Path panel)
Tooltip Create new flight path animation by defining viewpoints.
What it does Creates a new flight path (camera animation path) by defining a sequence of viewpoints (keyframes). Each viewpoint stores camera position, orientation, and optional settings (field of view, rendering style). VRGS interpolates smoothly between viewpoints to create fluid camera motion. Flight paths are used for automated tours, presentations, and repeatable view sequences.
When to use it
- Creating presentation tours of 3D models
- Documenting features with guided camera sequences
- Virtual field trips with predefined paths
- Repeatable view sequences for comparison or analysis
- Automated flythrough animations
Notes
Space viewpoints appropriately for smooth motion. Closely spaced viewpoints create slow movement; widely spaced viewpoints create fast movement. Place more viewpoints in areas requiring detailed examination, fewer in transit segments.
Viewpoints can be created by navigating to desired views and capturing them, or by placing viewpoint markers in 3D space. The interpolation path between viewpoints uses smooth curves (splines) to avoid abrupt direction changes.
Create Open/Closed Path
Ribbon buttons: Create Open Path, Create Closed Path
Tooltip Create open (start to end) or closed (looping) flight path.
What it does Creates flight paths with different endpoint behavior:
- Open Path: Animates from first viewpoint to last, then stops
- Closed Path: Animates from first through last and returns to first, looping continuously
Closed paths are useful for continuous looping displays; open paths for single-pass tours.
When to use it
- Open: Single-pass presentations, documentation, guided tours
- Closed: Continuous display loops, kiosk displays, repeating animations
Notes Closed paths interpolate smoothly between the last and first viewpoints to create seamless loops. Ensure the last viewpoint's camera orientation is compatible with the first to avoid jarring transitions at the loop point.
Playback Controls
Ribbon buttons: Various playback controls including Play, Pause, Next/Previous Viewpoint, Speed Tooltip Control flight path playback and navigation.
What it does Controls for flight path animation playback including:
- Play/Pause: Start or pause animation playback
- Next VP / Previous VP: Jump to next or previous viewpoint
- Speed: Adjust animation playback speed (slower for detailed examination, faster for overview)
- Stop: Stop playback and return to manual navigation
These controls allow interactive exploration of flight paths.
When to use it
- Play: Presenting automated tours
- Pause: Stopping at points of interest for discussion
- Next/Previous VP: Manually navigating through viewpoints
- Speed adjustment: Adapting pace to audience or content
Notes
Use Pause at key viewpoints to discuss features, then resume playback. Use Next/Previous VP to revisit or skip viewpoints interactively. Speed control allows adapting to different presentation contexts (quick overview vs detailed examination).
Playback can typically be controlled via keyboard shortcuts (Space for play/pause, arrow keys for next/previous) for hands-free presentations.
Image Processing & Analysis
Image processing commands work on 2D images (photographs, orthoimages, satellite imagery) loaded in VRGS.
Image Display Options
Ribbon buttons: Brightness, Contrast, Saturation adjustments Tooltip Adjust image display properties for optimal visualization.
What it does Adjusts image display properties including:
- Brightness: Lightens or darkens image overall
- Contrast: Increases or decreases difference between light and dark regions
- Saturation: Enhances or reduces colour intensity
These adjustments are typically non-destructive (affect display only, not underlying data) and help optimize visibility under different lighting conditions or for different screen types.
When to use it
- Enhancing visibility of subtle features
- Compensating for under/overexposed photographs
- Preparing images for presentation on different displays
- Improving interpretation of faint features
- Normalizing appearance across multiple images
Notes Display adjustments are usually non-destructive - original image data is preserved. Adjustments affect only visualization. For permanent changes, use image export with adjustments applied. Excessive contrast/saturation can create artifacts or loss of detail in extreme values.
Image Filters
Ribbon buttons: Edge detection, smoothing, sharpening filters Tooltip Apply image processing filters to enhance features.
What it does Applies image processing filters to enhance or extract features:
- Edge Detection: Highlights edges and boundaries (Sobel, Canny algorithms)
- Smoothing: Reduces noise via averaging or Gaussian blur
- Sharpening: Enhances fine detail and edges
Filters transform the image to emphasize specific characteristics useful for interpretation or analysis.
When to use it
- Edge detection: Finding contacts, boundaries, linear features
- Smoothing: Reducing noise before analysis, preparing for other filters
- Sharpening: Enhancing subtle detail in low-contrast images
Notes
Filters can introduce artifacts or alter features. Apply cautiously and inspect results. Over-sharpening creates halos; excessive smoothing loses detail. Use filters judiciously for interpretation aids, but preserve originals for reference.
Filters are often applied as temporary overlays or to copies, preserving originals. Some filters (edge detection) create binary or grayscale output from colour images.
Histogram Equalization
Ribbon button: Equalize histogram or similar Tooltip Equalize image histogram to enhance contrast.
What it does Applies histogram equalization, redistributing pixel intensity values to use the full available range. Increases global contrast, particularly benefiting low-contrast images. Histogram equalization spreads out frequently occurring intensity values, making subtle features more visible.
When to use it
- Enhancing low-contrast images
- Revealing subtle features in uniform-appearing regions
- Preprocessing for interpretation or automated analysis
- Improving visibility in under/overexposed regions
Notes Histogram equalization is a global operation affecting the entire image. It can over-enhance some regions whilst normalizing others. For local contrast enhancement, use adaptive histogram equalization (CLAHE) if available. Equalization changes appearance significantly - use for analysis but preserve originals for documentation.
Contours (Image)
Ribbon button: Contours (in Image Processing)
Tooltip Generate contour lines from image intensity or elevation data.
What it does Generates contour lines from image data, either based on pixel intensity (greyscale value) or elevation if the image is an elevation map. Contours connect points of equal value, creating isolines useful for topographic analysis, feature extraction, or visualization of spatial patterns.
When to use it
- Extracting topographic contours from DEMs or elevation maps
- Visualizing spatial patterns in intensity or attribute images
- Identifying elevation zones or value ranges
- Creating contour maps for geological interpretation
- Extracting isovalue lines for digitization
Notes
Specify contour interval (spacing between contour values) appropriately for your data. Too small creates cluttered output; too large misses detail. Typical intervals: 1-10m for topography, 5-10% for intensity.
Contours can often be exported as polylines for use in interpretations or external GIS software. Smooth contours (via smoothing filters) before contouring to reduce noise-induced artifacts.
AI-Assisted Analysis
Ribbon buttons: Various AI tools (specific tools vary by implementation) Tooltip Apply AI/machine learning tools for automated feature detection.
What it does Applies AI or machine learning algorithms to images for automated feature detection, classification, or segmentation. Specific tools may include:
- Object detection: Identifying and outlining specific features (fractures, fossils, etc.)
- Semantic segmentation: Classifying each pixel by category (rock type, vegetation, etc.)
- Change detection: Identifying differences between images
- Super-resolution: Enhancing image resolution via neural networks
AI tools leverage trained models to automate interpretation tasks.
When to use it
- Automating repetitive feature detection
- Rapid preliminary interpretations for refinement
- Consistent classification across large datasets
- Identifying subtle features difficult for manual detection
- Leveraging pre-trained models for standard tasks
Notes
AI models are trained on specific data types and may perform poorly on dissimilar data. Validate AI outputs carefully - they can be confidently wrong. Use AI for rapid first-pass interpretations, then manually review and refine.
AI performance depends on model quality, training data similarity to your data, and parameter tuning. Some AI tools require GPU for reasonable performance. Consider AI as interpretation assistance, not replacement for expertise.
HTML Editor
The HTML editor provides web page creation and editing within VRGS for custom reports, field notes, or documentation.
Formatting Commands
Ribbon buttons: Bold, Italic, Underline, Font Size, Font Family, Colour, etc. Tooltip Format text in HTML editor.
What it does Standard text formatting commands for HTML content:
- Bold / Italic / Underline: Basic text emphasis
- Font Size / Font Family: Typography control
- Text Colour / Highlight: Colour coding and emphasis
- Alignment: Left, centre, right, justified
- Lists: Bulleted and numbered lists
- Links: Hyperlinks to URLs or local files
These commands create styled HTML documents integrated with VRGS projects.
When to use it
- Creating custom reports linked to 3D data
- Field documentation with formatted text
- Project documentation and metadata
- Creating linked multimedia presentations
- Annotated documentation embedded in projects
Notes
HTML documents can embed links to 3D viewpoints, multimedia, or external resources, creating rich integrated documentation. Use HTML for comprehensive site documentation combining text, images, maps, and 3D views.
HTML editor supports standard web formatting. Documents save as HTML files linked to the project. The integrated browser can display these documents alongside 3D views.
Insert Elements
Ribbon buttons: Insert Table, Insert Image, Insert Link, etc. Tooltip Insert structural elements into HTML documents.
What it does Inserts structural HTML elements:
- Tables: For tabular data (measurements, sample data, etc.)
- Images: Embed photographs, figures, screenshots
- Links: Hyperlinks to websites, files, or viewpoints
- Horizontal Rules: Visual dividers
These elements add structure and multimedia to HTML documentation.
When to use it
- Organizing tabular data (sample logs, measurements)
- Embedding images in reports
- Creating linked navigation between document sections
- Structuring complex documentation
Notes Inserted images should be appropriately sized and compressed for web display. Tables use HTML table elements and can be styled via formatting commands. Links can point to external websites, local files, or even trigger VRGS actions (e.g., navigate to viewpoints) if appropriately configured.
Python Scripting
Python scripting provides programmatic access to VRGS functionality for automation, custom analysis, and workflow extension.
Python Console
Ribbon button: Console display area Tooltip Interactive Python console for commands and scripts.
What it does Provides an interactive Python console (REPL - Read-Eval-Print Loop) for executing Python commands and scripts. Access VRGS objects, data, and functions via the Python API. Execute commands interactively or run saved scripts. Results display in the console with Python's standard output formatting.
When to use it
- Interactive data exploration and analysis
- Testing Python commands before scripting
- Quick calculations or data queries
- Learning the Python API
- Debugging scripts
Notes
VRGS exposes objects, data, and functions via a Python API. Typical operations: access project data, iterate over objects, read/modify attributes, execute commands programmatically. Consult Python API documentation for available modules and functions.
The console maintains state across commands (variables persist) until cleared or VRGS restarted. Use console for interactive work; use scripts for repeatable workflows.
Execute Script
Ribbon button: Run Script or similar Tooltip Execute Python script file for automation.
What it does Executes a Python script file (.py) containing multiple commands. Scripts automate repetitive tasks, implement custom analysis, or extend VRGS functionality. Scripts can read/write files, process data, generate outputs, and control VRGS programmatically. Essential for batch processing and custom workflows.
When to use it
- Automating repetitive tasks (batch export, mass attribute calculations)
- Custom data analysis beyond built-in tools
- Batch processing multiple projects or datasets
- Implementing custom algorithms
- Workflow automation and integration with external tools
Notes Scripts have access to Python's standard library and any installed packages (NumPy, SciPy, Pandas, etc. if available). Scripts can import VRGS API modules to access project data. Error handling is important - unhandled exceptions abort script execution. Use try/except blocks for robust scripts.
Clear Console / Command History
Ribbon buttons: Clear output, navigate command history Tooltip Clear console output or recall previous commands.
What it does Console management commands:
- Clear Output: Clears console display (output history) for clean workspace
- Command History: Navigate previous commands (Up/Down arrows typically) to recall and re-execute or modify commands
These commands aid console interaction and workflow efficiency.
When to use it
- Clear: Reducing clutter after lengthy outputs
- History: Recalling commands for modification or re-execution, avoiding retyping
Notes Command history persists across console sessions (typically). Navigate history with Up/Down arrows; edit recalled commands before execution. Clear only affects display - variables and state persist unless explicitly deleted.
Web Browser Integration
VRGS includes an integrated web browser for accessing online resources without leaving the application.
Navigate Web Pages
Ribbon buttons: Back, Forward, Home, Refresh, Address Bar Tooltip Navigate web pages in integrated browser.
What it does Standard web browser navigation:
- Back / Forward: Navigate through page history
- Home: Return to configured home page
- Refresh: Reload current page
- Address Bar: Enter URLs directly
The integrated browser allows accessing documentation, web services, or online resources alongside 3D work.
When to use it
- Accessing online documentation or tutorials
- Using web-based data services or APIs
- Viewing online basemaps or imagery
- Accessing institutional web resources
- Researching without application switching
Notes
The integrated browser supports modern web standards (HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript). Some complex websites or browser-specific features may not work. For full-featured browsing, consider external browsers; use integrated browser for documentation and simple resources.
The browser shares network settings with the system. Cookies and cache may be managed separately from external browsers. Consider security when accessing sensitive web resources.
Bookmarks
Ribbon buttons: Add Bookmark, Manage Bookmarks Tooltip Save frequently accessed web pages as bookmarks.
What it does Bookmark management for frequently accessed web pages:
- Add Bookmark: Save current page URL for quick access
- Manage Bookmarks: Organize, edit, or delete bookmarks
Bookmarks provide quick access to commonly used online resources.
When to use it
- Quick access to documentation sites
- Saving useful data portals or services
- Organizing frequently used web resources
- Building resource libraries within VRGS
Notes Bookmarks save with VRGS settings and are available across sessions. Organize bookmarks into folders for large collections. Import/export bookmarks if migrating between systems or sharing with colleagues.
Cross-Tool Integration
Linking 3D Views to Documentation
HTML documents can embed links that trigger VRGS actions:
- Navigate to specific viewpoints
- Select objects
- Toggle visibility
- Load data
This creates interactive documentation where clicking links in HTML documents controls the 3D view, useful for guided tours, training materials, or site documentation.
Python-VRGS Integration
Python scripts can:
- Read project data (objects, attributes, measurements)
- Modify objects (transform, attribute assignment, visibility)
- Execute VRGS commands programmatically
- Generate outputs (CSV files, figures, reports)
- Integrate with external tools (databases, GIS, web services)
This enables custom workflows combining VRGS with external systems or implementing specialized analyses.
Image-to-3D Workflows
Images can be:
- Georeferenced and draped on 3D surfaces (orthoimages)
- Used as texture maps on meshes
- Processed to extract features (edge detection → digitize as polylines)
- Analyzed with AI to generate interpretations (segmentation → voxel models)
These workflows bridge 2D image data with 3D models for comprehensive site documentation.
Automation Best Practices
Flight Path Design:
- Plan viewpoint sequence logically (overview → detail, spatial progression)
- Space viewpoints for appropriate speed (closer = slower, farther = faster)
- Test paths at target playback speed before finalizing
- Add pause points at key features for presentations
- Consider looping vs one-shot paths based on usage
Python Scripting:
- Test code interactively in console before scripting
- Implement error handling (try/except) for robustness
- Document scripts with comments for future maintenance
- Use version control for script libraries
- Share useful scripts with colleagues via repositories
Image Processing:
- Preserve original images before applying destructive edits
- Document processing steps for repeatability
- Validate automated results (AI, edge detection) manually
- Use appropriate parameters (filter sizes, thresholds) for data characteristics
- Consider batch processing for consistent results across image sets
HTML Documentation:
- Use consistent formatting and structure across documents
- Link documents to 3D viewpoints and data for integration
- Include metadata (date, author, project info)
- Organize images and media in project directories
- Export HTML for archiving or external sharing
Performance Considerations:
- AI/image processing tools may require GPU for reasonable speed
- Large Python scripts processing extensive data may take significant time
- Flight path playback at high frame rates requires sufficient GPU capability
- Web browser can consume memory with many open tabs or complex pages
Related Documentation
Flight Paths:
- See Navigation & View Control for manual camera positioning
- Flight paths build on viewpoints created via standard navigation
- Combine with Movie Recording for animated output
Image Processing:
- Processed images can be used as texture maps (see Data Editing)
- Edge detection output can guide polyline digitization (see Interpretation)
- Images integrate with georeferencing workflows
Python API:
- Consult separate Python API documentation for detailed module/function reference
- Example scripts often available in VRGS installation directory
- Python community resources (Stack Overflow, GitHub) useful for general Python questions
HTML Editor:
- HTML documents integrate with project management for comprehensive documentation
- Embed multimedia, link to 3D views, organize project information
- Export HTML for sharing with collaborators or archiving
Web Browser:
- Access online documentation, tutorials, data services
- Integrated browser convenient but limited compared to full browsers
- Consider security when accessing sensitive resources
Add View
Ribbon button: Add View
Tooltip Save current camera position as a viewpoint in the flight path.
What it does Captures the current 3D view (camera position, orientation, field of view, and rendering settings) and adds it as a viewpoint (keyframe) to the active flight path. This viewpoint becomes a stop along the animated camera tour. VRGS will smoothly interpolate camera movement between consecutive viewpoints during playback.
When to use it
- Building flight path tours incrementally
- Capturing specific views of features of interest
- Creating presentation sequences with precise camera positions
- Documenting view sequences for repeatability
Notes Viewpoints store complete camera state including position, look direction, up vector, field of view, and optional rendering parameters (display modes, object visibility). Navigate to the desired view, then click Add View to capture it. Viewpoints can be reordered, edited, or deleted after creation.
Add Scene
Ribbon button: Add Scene
Tooltip Add current scene state (including object visibility) as flight path scene.
What it does Similar to Add View, but additionally captures the complete scene state including object visibility, display modes, rendering settings, and data states. This creates a more comprehensive keyframe that not only moves the camera but also changes what's visible in the scene.
When to use it
- Creating presentations that show/hide objects at specific viewpoints
- Demonstrating interpretation workflows with progressive data reveals
- Building before/after comparisons along flight paths
- Complex presentations requiring display mode changes
Notes Scenes are more powerful than simple viewpoints as they can trigger data visibility changes, rendering mode switches, and other scene modifications. Useful for presentations that tell a story by progressively revealing interpretations or comparing datasets.
Next VP
Ribbon button: Next VP
Tooltip Jump to next viewpoint in the flight path.
What it does Immediately moves the camera to the next viewpoint in the flight path sequence without playing the interpolated animation. Useful for manually stepping through viewpoints during interactive presentations or editing.
When to use it
- Manually navigating through flight path viewpoints
- Reviewing viewpoint positions during editing
- Interactive presentations where you control pacing
- Quickly jumping to specific viewpoints
Notes Related to the Play/Pause controls but provides manual stepping. Use Previous VP to step backwards. Keyboard shortcuts (arrow keys) often provide hands-free control for presentations.
Previous VP
Ribbon button: Previous VP
Tooltip Jump to previous viewpoint in the flight path.
What it does Immediately moves the camera to the previous viewpoint in the flight path sequence. Allows backwards navigation through viewpoints without playing the animation in reverse.
When to use it
- Returning to previously shown viewpoints during presentations
- Reviewing viewpoint sequences during editing
- Interactive Q&A sessions where revisiting views is needed
- Correcting navigation during presentations
Notes Works in conjunction with Next VP for bi-directional viewpoint navigation. Essential for interactive presentations where audience questions require revisiting previous views.
Presentation
Ribbon button: Presentation (toggle)
Tooltip Toggle presentation mode for flight path playback.
What it does Activates presentation mode which typically provides a full-screen or focused view optimized for presenting flight paths. May hide UI elements, maximize viewport, or enable presentation-specific features like automatic loop playback.
When to use it
- Delivering formal presentations or demonstrations
- Kiosk or exhibition display modes
- Clean viewing without UI distractions
- Automated continuous playback scenarios
Notes Presentation mode settings may include options for hiding UI panels, enabling automatic looping, adjusting transition speeds, or triggering specific rendering modes. Check presentation preferences for available options.
Show Path
Ribbon button: Show Path (toggle)
Tooltip Display the flight path curve and viewpoint markers in 3D view.
What it does Toggles visibility of the flight path visualization including the interpolated camera path curve (spline) and viewpoint marker positions. The path appears as a 3D curve showing the camera's travel trajectory with markers at each viewpoint location.
When to use it
- Editing flight paths to adjust viewpoint spacing
- Visualizing camera motion relative to model features
- Planning camera tours to ensure coverage
- Debugging unexpected camera movements
Notes The path visualization helps understand camera motion and adjust viewpoint placement. The curve shows the interpolated spline path - adjust viewpoint positions to smooth or tighten turns. Path colour and marker styles may be configurable in preferences.
Smooth All
Ribbon button: Smooth All
Tooltip Apply smoothing to all viewpoint transitions in flight path.
What it does Applies smoothing algorithms to the camera path between all viewpoints, creating smoother transitions and reducing abrupt direction changes. This adjusts the spline interpolation parameters to favour gradual acceleration/deceleration and smooth turns.
When to use it
- Refining flight paths after initial viewpoint placement
- Removing jerky camera motion
- Creating professional-quality camera tours
- Improving viewer experience and reducing motion sickness
Notes Smoothing affects the interpolation between viewpoints but doesn't move the viewpoint positions themselves. For very sharp turns, consider adding intermediate viewpoints. Excessive smoothing can create overly slow or sluggish camera motion - adjust to taste.
Motion Blur
Ribbon button: Motion Blur (toggle)
Tooltip Enable motion blur during flight path playback for cinematic effect.
What it does Enables motion blur rendering during flight path playback, creating a more cinematic appearance by blurring fast-moving objects and camera motion. This simulates the way real cameras capture motion and can improve perceived smoothness.
When to use it
- High-quality video recordings of flight paths
- Cinematic presentations requiring professional appearance
- Improving perception of smooth motion at lower frame rates
- Artistic or documentary-style presentations
Notes Motion blur can be computationally expensive and may reduce playback frame rate on slower systems. Quality and intensity may be adjustable in rendering preferences. Typically most effective for fast camera movements; subtle or absent during slow motion.
Go to Start
Ribbon button: Go to Start
Tooltip Jump to the first viewpoint in the flight path.
What it does Immediately moves the camera to the first viewpoint in the flight path sequence, resetting to the beginning. Equivalent to "rewind to start" for flight path navigation.
When to use it
- Restarting a presentation from the beginning
- Quickly returning to initial viewpoint during editing
- Resetting after playback completion
- Starting over during interactive demonstrations
Notes Does not start playback - only positions camera at first viewpoint. Use Play button after Go to Start to begin playback from the beginning.
Step Back
Ribbon button: Step Back
Tooltip Step backwards along flight path by small increment.
What it does Moves the camera backwards along the interpolated flight path by a small increment (typically a fraction of the distance between viewpoints). Provides fine-grained manual control over camera position along the path.
When to use it
- Precise positioning during editing or presentation
- Slowly revealing features during interactive demonstrations
- Fine-tuning exact camera positions
- Creating custom pause points between viewpoints
Notes Step size may be configurable. Unlike Previous VP which jumps to the previous viewpoint, Step Back moves incrementally along the continuous path curve. Useful with Step Forward for scrubbing through the animation.
Step Forward
Ribbon button: Step Forward
Tooltip Step forwards along flight path by small increment.
What it does Moves the camera forwards along the interpolated flight path by a small increment. Complementary to Step Back, providing fine-grained manual control in the forward direction.
When to use it
- Gradually revealing features frame-by-frame
- Precise camera positioning during editing
- Interactive demonstrations requiring careful pacing
- Finding optimal pause points along the path
Notes Step forward/back controls are particularly useful for creating video recordings with precise control over camera speed, or for interactive presentations where you want fine control over pacing and pauses.
Go To End
Ribbon button: Go To End
Tooltip Jump to the last viewpoint in the flight path.
What it does Immediately moves the camera to the final viewpoint in the flight path sequence. Equivalent to "fast forward to end" for flight path navigation.
When to use it
- Jumping to conclusions or final views in presentations
- Quickly reaching the end during editing
- Reviewing the final viewpoint without playing full path
- Resetting to end position
Notes Like Go to Start, this only positions the camera - it doesn't initiate playback. Useful for checking endpoints or starting presentations from the end and working backwards if needed.
Record Movie
Ribbon button: Record Movie
Tooltip Record flight path playback to video file.
What it does Initiates video recording of flight path playback, capturing the animated camera tour to a video file (typically MP4, AVI, or other standard formats). The recording captures the 3D viewport content as the flight path plays, creating a video suitable for presentations, documentation, or sharing.
When to use it
- Creating video presentations for conferences or reports
- Generating documentation videos
- Sharing virtual tours with colleagues who don't have VRGS
- Creating marketing or educational materials
- Archiving interpreted sites for future reference
Notes
Configure video resolution, frame rate, codec, and quality in recording preferences before starting. Higher quality settings produce larger files and may slow playback during recording. Consider enabling motion blur for more cinematic results. Recording typically proceeds at a fixed frame rate regardless of actual playback performance.
Recording may happen in real-time or via offline rendering depending on settings. Offline rendering typically produces higher quality but takes longer. Ensure sufficient disk space before starting long recordings.
Brightness
Ribbon button: Brightness (slider or buttons)
Tooltip Adjust image brightness to lighten or darken the display.
What it does Adjusts the overall brightness of the displayed image by increasing or decreasing pixel intensity values across all colour channels. Positive adjustments lighten the image (useful for underexposed images), negative adjustments darken (useful for overexposed images). Typically non-destructive - affects display only.
When to use it
- Correcting underexposed photographs
- Reducing glare in overexposed images
- Matching brightness across multiple images
- Improving visibility of features in poor lighting
- Preparing images for consistent presentation
Notes Brightness adjustments are usually linear operations affecting all pixels equally. For more sophisticated exposure correction, consider histogram equalization or curves adjustments. Extreme brightness changes can clip highlights (pure white) or shadows (pure black), losing detail.
Edge Detection
Ribbon button: Edge Detection
Tooltip Apply edge detection filter to highlight boundaries and linear features.
What it does Applies edge detection algorithms (typically Sobel, Canny, or similar) to identify and highlight boundaries, contacts, and linear features in images. Edge detection emphasizes areas of rapid intensity change, creating a binary or gradient output showing detected edges.
When to use it
- Identifying geological contacts or boundaries
- Highlighting fracture traces
- Detecting linear features automatically
- Preprocessing for digitisation workflows
- Enhancing subtle features in low-contrast images
Notes
Edge detection quality depends on filter parameters (threshold, kernel size). Lower thresholds detect more edges including noise; higher thresholds detect only strong edges. Smooth images first to reduce noise-induced false edges.
Multiple edge detection algorithms available - Sobel (gradient-based), Canny (multi-stage optimal), or directional filters. Results often used as overlays to guide manual interpretation.
Edge Detection Horizontal
Ribbon button: Edge Detection Horizontal
Tooltip Detect horizontally-oriented edges and features.
What it does Applies directional edge detection emphasizing horizontal features (bedding planes, horizontal contacts, stratification). This filter is sensitive to vertical intensity changes but suppresses vertical features, isolating horizontal trends.
When to use it
- Highlighting bedding traces
- Detecting horizontal layering or stratification
- Suppressing vertical fractures to focus on bedding
- Sedimentary sequence analysis
Notes Directional edge detection is useful when features of interest have preferred orientations. Combine with vertical edge detection to separately analyze orthogonal feature sets (bedding vs fractures).
Edge Detection Vertical
Ribbon button: Edge Detection Vertical
Tooltip Detect vertically-oriented edges and features.
What it does Applies directional edge detection emphasizing vertical features (vertical fractures, cliffs, columnar jointing). Sensitive to horizontal intensity changes, suppressing horizontal features.
When to use it
- Highlighting vertical fracture systems
- Detecting cliff faces or vertical contacts
- Isolating vertical joints
- Suppressing bedding to focus on cross-cutting structures
Notes Particularly useful in outcrop photographs where vertical fractures cross-cut horizontal bedding. Combine horizontal and vertical edge detection to analyze feature orientation distributions.
Edge Detection Gabor
Ribbon button: Edge Detection Gabor
Tooltip Apply Gabor filter for directional edge detection at multiple scales.
What it does Applies Gabor filters - sophisticated edge detectors that combine edge detection with texture analysis at multiple orientations and scales. Gabor filters can detect edges, lineations, and textural patterns, providing richer feature detection than simple edge operators.
When to use it
- Complex fracture pattern analysis
- Multi-scale feature detection
- Texture-based geological unit discrimination
- Research-grade image analysis
- Detecting subtle or complex linear features
Notes Gabor filters are computationally intensive but powerful. Parameters include orientation angles, spatial frequency (scale), and phase. Results show directional edge strength, useful for fracture orientation analysis or texture classification.
ACO
Ribbon button: ACO
Tooltip Apply Ant Colony Optimization for fracture trace extraction.
What it does Applies Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) algorithms to automatically trace linear features (fractures, lineations) in images. ACO uses biomimetic algorithms inspired by ant foraging behaviour to detect and connect edge segments into continuous traces.
When to use it
- Automated fracture mapping from photographs or orthoimages
- Extracting linear feature networks
- Reducing manual digitisation time for complex fracture systems
- Research applications requiring fracture statistics
Notes
ACO is an AI/heuristic method that may produce false positives or miss subtle features. Always review and validate ACO results manually. Adjust parameters (pheromone strength, iterations) to optimize for your image characteristics.
ACO results typically output as polylines that can be edited or refined manually. Best results on high-contrast images with clear lineations.
Wand
Ribbon button: Wand
Tooltip Magic wand selection tool for region selection by colour/intensity.
What it does Activates a "magic wand" selection tool that selects contiguous pixels with similar colour or intensity values. Click on an image region, and the wand selects all connected pixels within a tolerance threshold. Useful for segmenting regions or selecting features for analysis.
When to use it
- Selecting geological units with distinct colours
- Isolating outcrop regions from background
- Segmenting facies or lithologies in images
- Creating masks for spatial analysis
Notes Tolerance parameter controls how similar pixels must be to be included (low tolerance = strict matching, high tolerance = broader selection). "Contiguous" mode selects only connected pixels; "global" mode selects all matching pixels regardless of position.
Blend
Ribbon button: Blend
Tooltip Blend or composite multiple images with adjustable opacity.
What it does Blends two or more overlapping images using various compositing modes (alpha blending, multiply, screen, overlay, etc.) and adjustable opacity. Useful for comparing images, creating composites, or overlaying interpretations on base imagery.
When to use it
- Creating before/after comparisons
- Overlaying multispectral or filtered images
- Compositing orthoimages with interpretation overlays
- Image mosaicking with seamless blending
- Change detection between time-series images
Notes Blend modes affect how pixel values combine:
- Alpha blend: Simple transparency mixing
- Multiply: Darkens, useful for shadows/overlays
- Screen: Lightens, useful for highlights
- Overlay: Combines multiply and screen for contrast
Adjust opacity sliders to control blend strength. Ensure images are properly registered (aligned) before blending.
Quick Synthetic
Ribbon button: Quick Synthetic
Tooltip Generate quick synthetic image from surface or height map.
What it does Generates a synthetic image (typically a hillshade or rendered view) from elevation data, meshes, or DEMs. Quick synthetic provides rapid visualization of topography or surface geometry as if illuminated by a light source, revealing morphological features.
When to use it
- Visualizing DEM topography
- Creating hillshade overlays for mapping
- Revealing subtle topographic features
- Generating synthetic images for comparison with photographs
Notes Adjust illumination azimuth and elevation to emphasize different features - low sun angles emphasize relief, high angles reduce shadows. Hillshading is particularly effective for revealing fracture lineaments, scarps, or drainage patterns in elevation data.
Variogram
Ribbon button: Variogram
Tooltip Calculate spatial variogram for geostatistical analysis.
What it does Calculates and displays the spatial variogram (or semivariogram) from image pixel values or point data. Variograms quantify spatial correlation as a function of distance, showing how similarity decreases with separation. Essential for geostatistical analysis and kriging.
When to use it
- Characterizing spatial correlation scales
- Preparing for kriging interpolation
- Analyzing spatial patterns or periodicities
- Texture analysis and feature scaling
- Research applications in spatial statistics
Notes
The variogram shows:
- Range: Distance at which correlation becomes negligible
- Sill: Maximum variance (plateau value)
- Nugget: Variance at zero distance (measurement error + micro-scale variation)
These parameters inform kriging and spatial modeling.
Directional variograms (along specific azimuths) reveal anisotropy (directional dependence of spatial correlation), useful for oriented features like bedding or fracture systems.
Tape Measure
Ribbon button: Tape Measure
Tooltip Measure distances or dimensions in image space.
What it does Activates an interactive tape measure tool for measuring distances, lengths, or dimensions in 2D image space. Click two points and the tool displays the pixel distance and, if the image is calibrated/georeferenced, the real-world distance.
When to use it
- Measuring feature dimensions in photographs
- Calibrating image scale
- Checking georeferencing accuracy
- Quantifying fracture lengths or spacing
- General-purpose image measurements
Notes Measurements are 2D in image space - for 3D measurements use the 3D measurement tools. If images are georeferenced, measurements display in map units (metres). For uncalibrated images, set scale by measuring a known dimension first.
Flip Image X
Ribbon button: Flip Image X
Tooltip Flip image horizontally (mirror left-right).
What it does Flips the image horizontally, creating a mirror image where left and right are reversed. Useful for correcting improperly oriented images or comparing symmetric features.
When to use it
- Correcting images that were imported backwards
- Comparing features across fold axes
- Creating mirrored views for symmetry analysis
- Adjusting image orientation for presentations
Notes
Flipping images that are georeferenced will invalidate the spatial reference unless georeferencing is also updated. Use with caution on spatially referenced data.
Flip Image Y
Ribbon button: Flip Image Y
Tooltip Flip image vertically (mirror top-bottom).
What it does Flips the image vertically, creating a mirror image where top and bottom are reversed.
When to use it
- Correcting upside-down images
- Adjusting images from different coordinate systems (some systems have Y-up, others Y-down)
- Specific geometric transformations
Notes Less commonly used than horizontal flip. Ensure flip operation matches coordinate system conventions if working with georeferenced imagery.
Rotate +90
Ribbon button: Rotate +90
Tooltip Rotate image 90 degrees clockwise.
What it does Rotates the image 90 degrees in the clockwise direction. Useful for correcting image orientation when images were captured in portrait vs landscape orientation or when matching to map coordinate systems.
When to use it
- Correcting image orientation from cameras
- Matching image orientation to map views
- Adjusting for different coordinate system conventions
- Preparing images for consistent presentation
Notes 90-degree rotations are lossless (no interpolation artifacts). Multiple rotations can be combined (+90 four times returns to original). Update georeferencing if images are spatially referenced.
Rotate -90
Ribbon button: Rotate -90
Tooltip Rotate image 90 degrees counter-clockwise.
What it does Rotates the image 90 degrees in the counter-clockwise direction.
When to use it
- Same use cases as Rotate +90 but opposite direction
- Undoing a +90 rotation
- Matching specific orientation requirements
Notes Use +90 or -90 based on which requires fewer rotations to achieve desired orientation (e.g., -90 is faster than +90 three times).
Reset Image
Ribbon button: Reset Image
Tooltip Reset image to original state, removing all adjustments.
What it does Resets the image to its original imported state, removing all non-destructive adjustments (brightness, contrast, rotation, filters, etc.). Provides a quick way to undo multiple adjustments and start fresh.
When to use it
- Undoing multiple adjustments at once
- Returning to baseline for comparison
- Correcting over-processing
- Starting fresh after experimentation
Notes Reset typically does not affect destructive edits saved to the image file. For display-only adjustments, reset is instantaneous. Consider saving adjustment presets before resetting if you might want to reapply them.
Zoom In
Ribbon button: Zoom In
Tooltip Zoom in to see more detail in the image.
What it does Increases magnification of the image view, showing more detail in a smaller area. Useful for inspecting features, quality checking, or detailed interpretation.
When to use it
- Examining fine details
- Quality checking image resolution
- Precise digitisation or feature identification
- Inspecting specific areas of interest
Notes Most image viewers support scroll wheel zooming or click-drag zoom boxes for more control. Zoom level typically centers on cursor position. Watch for pixelation when zooming beyond native image resolution.
Zoom Out
Ribbon button: Zoom Out
Tooltip Zoom out to see more of the image at reduced magnification.
What it does Decreases magnification, showing a larger area of the image at reduced detail. Useful for context and navigation.
When to use it
- Seeing overall context
- Navigating to different image regions
- Comparing distant features
- Framing entire image in view
Notes Zoom to fit (full image in window) is typically also available. Combine with pan controls for navigation. Some viewers support overview/minimap windows for navigation while zoomed.
H1
Ribbon button: H1
Tooltip Format text as Heading 1 (largest heading).
What it does
Formats selected text as an HTML Heading 1 (<h1>) element, the largest and most prominent heading level. H1 typically used for document titles or main section headings.
When to use it
- Document main title
- Major section headings
- Top-level structure in hierarchical documents
Notes Use heading hierarchy logically (H1 > H2 > H3, etc.). Generally only one H1 per document. Headings provide document structure for navigation and accessibility.
H2
Ribbon button: H2
Tooltip Format text as Heading 2.
What it does
Formats selected text as HTML Heading 2 (<h2>), the second-level heading. Used for major subdivisions within the document.
When to use it
- Main section headings under document title
- Primary content divisions
- Chapter or major topic headings
H3
Ribbon button: H3
Tooltip Format text as Heading 3.
What it does
Formats selected text as HTML Heading 3 (<h3>), the third-level heading.
When to use it
- Subsections within H2 sections
- Detailed topic breakdowns
- Nested content hierarchy
H4
Ribbon button: H4
Tooltip Format text as Heading 4.
What it does
Formats selected text as HTML Heading 4 (<h4>).
When to use it
- Sub-subsections
- Fine-grained content organization
- Deeply nested hierarchical documents
H5
Ribbon button: H5
Tooltip Format text as Heading 5.
What it does
Formats selected text as HTML Heading 5 (<h5>).
H6
Ribbon button: H6
Tooltip Format text as Heading 6 (smallest heading).
What it does
Formats selected text as HTML Heading 6 (<h6>), the smallest heading level.
Ordered List
Ribbon button: Ordered List
Tooltip Create numbered (ordered) list.
What it does
Formats selected paragraphs as an HTML ordered list (<ol>), where each item is numbered sequentially (1, 2, 3, etc.). Numbering updates automatically when items added/removed.
When to use it
- Step-by-step procedures
- Sequential instructions
- Ranked or prioritized items
- Any list where order matters
Notes Can nest lists (ordered within ordered, or ordered within unordered) for hierarchical procedures. List numbering style (1,2,3 vs A,B,C vs i,ii,iii) may be configurable via CSS or properties.
Unordered List
Ribbon button: Unordered List
Tooltip Create bulleted (unordered) list.
What it does
Formats selected paragraphs as an HTML unordered list (<ul>), where each item displays with a bullet point (•). Order of items doesn't imply sequence or priority.
When to use it
- Collections of related items
- Features or attributes
- Lists where order is arbitrary
- General-purpose itemization
Notes Bullet styles (filled circle, empty circle, square) may change with nesting level. Can nest lists for hierarchical information.
Indenting
Ribbon button: Indenting (increase/decrease indent buttons)
Tooltip Increase or decrease paragraph indentation.
What it does Adjusts paragraph indentation level, moving text left or right. Creates visual hierarchy and structure in documents. May use CSS margins, padding, or blockquote elements.
When to use it
- Creating visual hierarchy
- Nested information structure
- Quotations or extracted text
- Formatting procedures or protocols
Notes Indentation typically works in fixed increments. Multiple indent levels create nested structure. Ensure indentation doesn't create excessive line wrapping on narrow displays.
Use XHTML
Ribbon button: Use XHTML (toggle)
Tooltip Toggle strict XHTML syntax compliance.
What it does Enables strict XHTML (Extensible HTML) mode, which enforces XML syntax rules: all tags must be properly closed, lowercase element names, quoted attributes, etc. XHTML documents are valid XML and can be processed by XML tools.
When to use it
- Creating XML-compliant documents
- Integration with XML workflows
- Ensuring maximum standards compliance
- Documents for mixed HTML/XML processing
Notes
XHTML is stricter than HTML5 - empty tags must self-close (<br /> not <br>), all attributes quoted, etc. Modern web development generally favors HTML5 over XHTML unless XML compatibility required.
Prettify
Ribbon button: Prettify
Tooltip Auto-format HTML source code with proper indentation.
What it does Automatically reformats the HTML source code with proper indentation, line breaks, and spacing. Makes HTML more readable and easier to edit manually. Normalizes inconsistent formatting from mixed editing sources.
When to use it
- Cleaning up messy HTML source
- Preparing for manual HTML editing
- Improving readability for debugging
- Standardizing format before version control commits
Notes Prettifying doesn't change the rendered output (visual appearance), only the source code formatting. May increase file size slightly due to added whitespace. Most HTML editors can prettify on demand or automatically.
Remove Formatting
Ribbon button: Remove Formatting
Tooltip Remove all formatting from selected text, converting to plain text.
What it does Strips all HTML formatting (bold, italic, colours, fonts, etc.) from selected text, converting it to plain unformatted text. Useful for cleaning up pasted content or removing unwanted formatting.
When to use it
- Cleaning up pasted text from Word or web sources
- Removing accumulated formatting
- Starting fresh with plain text
- Normalizing inconsistent formatting
Notes Remove Formatting typically preserves paragraph breaks but removes all inline formatting. For more selective formatting removal, manually adjust specific elements. Consider "Paste as Plain Text" to avoid formatting issues when pasting.
Back
Ribbon button: Back
Tooltip Navigate to previous page in browser history.
What it does Navigates the integrated web browser backwards to the previously viewed page in the browsing history. Equivalent to the standard browser back button.
When to use it
- Returning to previous documentation pages
- Backtracking through web navigation
- Correcting navigation mistakes
Forward
Ribbon button: Forward
Tooltip Navigate forward in browser history.
What it does Navigates forward to the next page in browser history (only active if you've gone Back previously).
Reload
Ribbon button: Reload
Tooltip Refresh current web page.
What it does Reloads the current web page, fetching the latest version from the server. Useful for updating dynamic content or troubleshooting display issues.
When to use it
- Updating dynamic web content
- Troubleshooting page display problems
- Loading latest documentation revisions
Find
Ribbon button: Find
Tooltip Search for text on current web page or in HTML document.
What it does Opens a find/search dialogue to locate specific text on the current page. Highlights matches and allows navigation between occurrences.
When to use it
- Searching documentation for keywords
- Finding specific terms in long documents
- Quickly navigating to relevant sections
Replace
Ribbon button: Replace (in HTML Editor)
Tooltip Find and replace text in HTML document.
What it does Opens find and replace dialogue for searching and replacing text throughout the HTML document. Can replace single instances or all occurrences.
When to use it
- Correcting repeated errors or typos
- Updating terminology throughout document
- Bulk text changes
Notes Use carefully - bulk replacements can create unintended changes. Preview replacements before applying to all. Consider case-sensitivity options.
Run
Ribbon button: Run (in Python console)
Tooltip Execute Python script or command.
What it does Executes the entered Python command or runs the loaded Python script file. Results display in the console output area.
When to use it
- Running Python automation scripts
- Executing batch operations
- Custom analysis workflows
- Testing Python code
Stop
Ribbon button: Stop (in Python or web browser)
Tooltip Stop execution or page loading.
What it does Interrupts currently running Python script execution or stops web page loading in browser.
When to use it
- Halting long-running scripts
- Stopping unresponsive page loads
- Interrupting incorrect operations
Notes
Stopping mid-execution may leave operations in partial state. Scripts should implement proper cleanup handlers where possible.
Font
Ribbon button: Font
Tooltip Set font family for HTML text.
What it does Opens font picker to select typeface (Arial, Times, Courier, etc.) for selected HTML text.
When to use it
- Professional document formatting
- Matching organizational styles
- Readability optimization
- Monospace fonts for code/data
Notes Web-safe fonts ensure consistent display across systems. Custom fonts may not display if unavailable on viewing system. Consider fallback fonts.
Auto Complete
Ribbon button: Auto Complete (toggle in Python console)
Tooltip Enable auto-completion suggestions for Python code.
What it does Enables intelligent auto-completion in the Python console, suggesting function names, method names, and variable names as you type. Improves coding efficiency and discoverability.
When to use it
- Learning the Python API
- Speeding up script development
- Discovering available methods
- Reducing typing errors
Create Closed Path
See Create Open/Closed Path for documentation on creating closed (looping) flight paths.
Create Open Path
See Create Open/Closed Path for documentation on creating open (start-to-end) flight paths.
Points
Ribbon button: Points
Tooltip Point-based selection or feature placement mode.
What it does Activates point-based mode for placing individual points, marking features, or selecting by clicking individual points. In image analysis contexts (ACO, feature detection), this mode allows marking seed points or feature locations for tracing algorithms.
When to use it
- Marking feature endpoints for tracing
- Seeding automatic feature detection algorithms
- Point-based fracture mapping
- Placing individual markers or measurements
- Defining start/end points for lineation extraction
Notes Point mode contrasts with area-based selection (rectangle, polygon) or line-based methods (polyline). In ACO or fracture detection contexts, placed points serve as seeds or constraints for automatic tracing. Points can typically be moved, deleted, or edited after placement.
Polygon
Ribbon button: Polygon
Tooltip Polygon-based selection or region definition mode.
What it does Activates polygon selection mode allowing definition of arbitrary polygonal regions by clicking vertices. Click to place each vertex, double-click or close to complete. Used for selecting irregular regions, defining masks, or constraining analysis areas.
When to use it
- Selecting irregular image regions for analysis
- Defining analysis regions of interest (ROI)
- Masking areas to exclude from processing
- Constraining fracture detection to specific areas
- Outlining complex features
Notes
Polygon selection includes all pixels/features within the closed boundary. Useful for excluding problematic areas (shadows, obstructions) or focusing on specific regions (outcrop faces, specific beds). Polygons can be additive (add to selection) or subtractive (remove from selection) in multi-step selections.
Polyline
Ribbon button: Polyline
Tooltip Polyline selection or linear feature definition mode.
What it does Activates polyline mode for defining linear features or selections. Click to place vertices connected by straight line segments. Used for digitising linear features, defining transects, or selecting along linear paths.
When to use it
- Digitising fracture traces manually
- Defining measurement transects or scan lines
- Selecting along linear features
- Creating constraint lines for image analysis
- Manual feature extraction
Notes Polylines are open (have distinct start and end points) unlike polygons which are closed. In image analysis, polylines can serve as guides or constraints for automatic tracing. Vertices can be edited after creation to refine positions. Related to polyline interpretation tools in 3D view.
Rectangle
Ribbon button: Rectangle
Tooltip Rectangle selection mode for defining rectangular regions.
What it does Activates rectangle selection mode - click and drag to define rectangular regions. Fast method for selecting regular rectangular areas or defining bounding boxes for analysis.
When to use it
- Quick selection of regular regions
- Defining bounding boxes for batch processing
- Cropping image regions
- Selecting rectangular outcrop areas
- Fast ROI definition for aligned features
Notes Rectangle is the fastest selection method for axis-aligned regions. For rotated rectangles, use polygon mode with 4 vertices. Rectangle selections can be feathered (soft edges) or hard-edged depending on context. Combine multiple rectangles for complex selections using additive/subtractive modes.
Ant Trace
Ribbon button: Ant Trace
Tooltip Visualize ant colony optimization trace paths.
What it does Displays the trace paths generated by the Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) algorithm during fracture detection. Shows the "ant trails" - the paths that virtual ants followed when detecting and connecting edge segments into continuous linear features. Useful for understanding algorithm behavior and debugging results.
When to use it
- Analyzing ACO algorithm performance
- Understanding why certain traces were detected
- Debugging unexpected ACO results
- Research and algorithm parameter tuning
- Visualizing pheromone trail strength
Notes
Ant traces show the accumulated pheromone trails where many ants traveled. Stronger (darker/thicker) trails indicate higher confidence detections. Weak trails may represent false positives or low-confidence features. Use trace visualization to adjust ACO parameters (pheromone strength, evaporation rate, ant count).
Ant Trace is primarily a research/debugging tool. For final results, use the extracted polylines rather than raw traces. Traces can be exported for external analysis or visualization.
Fracture
Ribbon button: Fracture
Tooltip Automated fracture detection and analysis tool.
What it does Activates automated fracture detection workflows that analyze images to identify, trace, and characterize fracture networks. Combines edge detection, feature extraction, and network analysis to map fracture systems from photographs or orthoimages. Outputs include fracture traces (polylines), orientation statistics, and network metrics.
When to use it
- Automated fracture mapping from outcrop photos
- Fracture network characterization
- Orientation distribution analysis
- Fracture density and spacing calculations
- Reducing manual digitization time for complex fracture systems
Notes
Automated fracture detection requires careful validation. Algorithms may detect non-fracture features (vegetation, shadows, weathering) or miss subtle fractures. Always review results manually and refine as needed. Best results on high-contrast, well-lit images with clear fracture expressions.
Fracture detection typically involves multiple steps: preprocessing (enhancement, noise reduction), edge detection, feature extraction (ACO or similar), and post-processing (filtering, connection, classification). Parameters should be tuned for specific image characteristics and fracture types.
Segment
Ribbon button: Segment
Tooltip Image segmentation for region classification.
What it does Applies image segmentation algorithms to partition the image into distinct regions based on colour, texture, or intensity similarity. Segments can represent geological units, facies, vegetation zones, or other spatially-coherent regions. Segmentation creates labeled regions for classification, measurement, or mapping.
When to use it
- Automated geological unit mapping
- Facies classification in photographs
- Separating outcrop from background/vegetation
- Region-based feature extraction
- Preparing masks for selective processing
- Multi-temporal change detection
Notes Common segmentation algorithms:
- Threshold-based: Simple intensity or colour thresholds
- Region growing: Grow regions from seed points based on similarity
- Watershed: Topographic simulation for boundary detection
- K-means/clustering: Statistical clustering of pixel properties
- Machine learning: Trained classifiers for semantic segmentation
Segmentation quality depends on feature contrast, image quality, and parameter tuning. Post-processing (merge small segments, smooth boundaries) often improves results. Segmented regions can be converted to polygons for mapping or exported as classified images.
Move Point
Ribbon button: Move Point
Tooltip Move endpoint or vertex position for traced features.
What it does Activates mode for moving individual points - either endpoints of traced features (fractures, lineations) or vertices along polylines. Click and drag to reposition points to refine automatically-traced or manually-digitized features.
When to use it
- Refining automatic trace results
- Adjusting feature endpoints to correct positions
- Fine-tuning vertex positions
- Correcting digitization errors
- Improving trace accuracy
Notes Move Point is an editing operation for post-processing traced features. Use after automatic detection (ACO, edge detection) or during manual digitization. Moving points updates the connected line segments automatically. For large-scale adjustments, consider re-running detection with different parameters rather than extensive manual editing.
Related to vertex editing in polyline interpretation workflows. Undo/redo support essential for iterative refinement.
Erase Point
Ribbon button: Erase Point
Tooltip Delete endpoint or vertex from traced features.
What it does Removes individual points from traced features - deletes endpoints (shortening traces) or removes intermediate vertices (simplifying polylines). Click on points to delete them, updating the feature geometry automatically.
When to use it
- Removing false positive trace endpoints
- Simplifying over-sampled polylines
- Deleting erroneous vertices
- Cleaning up automatic detection results
- Adjusting feature extent
Notes
Deleting endpoints shortens features; deleting intermediate vertices simplifies geometry. Be careful not to delete too many vertices as this can oversimplify features, losing important detail (curves, inflections). Most tools allow Undo for accidental deletions.
Erase Point complements Move Point for feature editing. Together they provide comprehensive manual refinement capabilities for automatically-detected or digitized features. Consider simplification algorithms (Douglas-Peucker) for systematic vertex reduction rather than manual deletion.
Connect HMD
See Virtual Reality - Connect HMD in Experimental Features documentation.
Geotour Log On
See Geotour Log On in Experimental Features documentation.
Join Trip
See Join Trip in Experimental Features documentation.
Multiuser
See Multiuser in Experimental Features documentation.
Start Server
See Start Server in Experimental Features documentation.
Filter Width:
See Filter Width in Experimental Features documentation.
Iterations:
See Iterations in Experimental Features documentation.
Increase Size
See Increase Size in Experimental Features documentation.
Decrease Size
See Decrease Size in Experimental Features documentation.
Settings
See Settings in Experimental Features documentation. (Context-dependent settings dialogue)