Global Mapper Overview
Equally well suited as a standalone spatial data management tool and as an integral component of an enterprise-wide GIS, Global Mapper is a must-have for anyone who works with maps or spatial data.- Low-cost and easy-to-use GIS
- Supports over 250 spatial data formats
- Optional LiDAR Module for powerful point cloud processing
- Advanced projection management using GeoCalc library*
- Unmatched and complimentary technical support.
- Terrain Analysis and 3D Data Processing
With a particular emphasis on terrain and 3D data processing, Global Mapper's out-of-the-box analysis functions include view shed and line-of site modeling, watershed delineation, volume measurement and cut and fill optimization, raster calculation, customized gridding and terrain creation, contour generation, and much more.
Complementing these powerful analysis tools is a complete suite of raster and vector data creation and editing functions offering everything from simple and intuitive drawing to image rectification and vectorization.
Full-Range 3D Viewer
Functionally, the most significant developments in Global Mapper 18 have been implemented in the 3D Viewer. Load any 3D dataset or point cloud it will be immediately evident that the rendering performance has been drastically improved. Where previously, the 3D View displayed 3D data to the extent of what was visible in the 2D view, now the display renders all loaded data with dynamic updates displaying more detail and higher resolution as the map is zoomed and panned. This "infinite view" function enables the creation of truly stunning 3D data visualizations and provides the means to work with even the largest aerial or terrestrial point cloud dataset natively in a 3D environment.
Global Mapper 18 brings new flexible licensing option for single users needing migrate their license between two computers; typically a desktop machine for office work and a laptop for field projects. The Floating Single User License means that Global Mapper will be available whenever and wherever it is needed most.
New Flexible Interface
The release of Global Mapper 18 introduces an extensive array of new features and functions throughout all areas of the application. The most noticeable change for longtime users is complete redesign of the interface along with a fresh new logo and updated button graphics. The toolbars have been reorganized to promote more efficient access to critical functionality and each toolbar can now be customized by adding or removing buttons to reflect the requirements of each user. The toolbars can even be docked along the side or bottom of the main map window if required.A Low-Cost GIS Alternative
By providing a complete GIS translation solution out-of-the-box, Global Mapper simplifies the deployment of spatial technology in your company or organization. There's no need to juggle extensions or costly add-ons to gain access to the functionality that you need. Global Mapper's aggressive development and release cycle ensures that the product grows with you as your needs and requirements change. Now you can unblock the GIS dataflow logjam by providing a workable GIS software tool for everyone who needs access to this critical data.
At a fraction of the cost of traditional GIS alternatives and with free set-up and general use support, as well as flexible licenses including single seat, network and USB Dongle licensing, there's no reason not to add Global Mapper to your GIS toolkit.
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1. Overview of LiDAR
LiDAR - Light Detection And Ranging, is an active remote sensing technology, based on the emission of strong light rays, focusing and measuring the time it takes to return the sensor. This information is used to identify areas, or distances to an object. In this way LiDAR is similar to radar, except the use of pulses of laser light, while radars use radio waves. The set of point coordinates in three dimensions (for example, x, y, z or longitude, latitude and altitude) of the target objects are calculated from: the time difference between the laser pulse emitted and returned; angle at which the pulse is emitted; and absolute position of the sensor.LiDAR is usually collected from flying equipment or aircraft, because of the advantage of being able to quickly gather information over large areas (Figure 1). In addition, LiDAR is also collected from stationary or mobile workstations. This information collection technique has the ability to create high accuracy and density of dense measuring points, thereby showing in detail the three-dimensional space of many types of works such as railroads, suspension bridges, buildings. home ... Altitude data collection using LiDAR has many advantages over most other techniques. By LiDAR for high resolution (centimeter size), it is possible to identify the topography surface even when the terrain is forested and collect data both in daytime and at night.
The LiDAR can quickly measure the surface of the earth, at a sampling rate of more than 150 kilohertz (ie 150,000 pulses per second). The resulting product is a dense, highly precise network of elevation - called the point cloud (Figure 2). LiDAR systems can be used in coastal areas with relatively transparent water to measure bottom elevations.
The ability to identify terrain surfaces even with trees is always a target in remote sensing when collecting elevation data from above the surface of the Earth. Most of the elevation data sets, created using remote sensing technologies, are often unable to penetrate through plants; LiDAR is no exception; however, there are usually enough sets of "own spots" on the ground that LiDAR can see through holes or gaps in the canopy of plants. In dense forest or heavily forested areas there are often few holes and therefore the number of points collected on the ground is low (that is, all points fall on trees and vegetation). between foliage). For this reason, data collection in the area of low-leaf trees and sparse canopy of vegetation is favorable for calculating topographic surfaces in forested areas.
LiDAR data comes in * .las and * .laz formats, with * .laz format already compressed. Currently there are many software that allows reading and exploiting this data format such as Global Mapper, ENVI, ArcGIS, SAGA-GIS ...
2. Global Mapper and Lidar module
Global Mapper is a GIS data processing software of Blue Marble Geographics, it is easy to use and supports almost all spatial data formats. The Global Mapper is well suited as a standalone spatial data processing and management tool and an inseparable component of GIS, a must-have for anyone working in the field. Map or spatial data. Blue Marble Geographics also provides a number of processing modules and optional extensions to integrate for Global Mapper software such as Lidar, OTF, COAST ... In which, Lidar module is LiDAR data processing module, it provides provides advanced data processing tools, including automatic Point Cloud classification, automatic filtering of buildings, trees, power lines, cross-section view or object extraction roads, 3D regions. To check if this module is integrated or not, in Global Mapper go to Help → Module / Extension License Manager ...3. Display LiDAR data
In the Global Mapper software, we open LiDAR data format (* .las, * .laz) just like other formats. However, with LiDAR data, a Lidar Load Options dialog will pop up to choose what types of points will be loaded into the software. To show the details, we will select all (Figure 4).Unlike other data types, the LiDAR point cloud display is configured to represent a particular component, be it height, reflectance, or classification ... By default, Global Mapper will display points based on the RGB values or their colors if any, otherwise the points will be displayed in height (Figure 6a). We can change these data instances at the Lidar Draw Modes right on the Lidar Toolbar (Figure 5) with some of the following main forms:
Color Lidar by Intensity: Shows the intensity of reflection of the surface at each point, solid surfaces tend to reflect higher intensity, such as buildings. In the Global Mapper, the darker points represent