3D flythroughs in ERDAS!

First off - grab a DEM and corresponding satelite image. There are ones of the Yakima Canyon on J:\adv_gis\3d_vis . Use ArcCatalog (start - programs - ArcGIS - ArcCatalog) to move the DEM (Canyon). ArcCatalog works basically the same as Windows Explorer, only for ESRI files. Also, be sure to grab canyon83_tm.img.

Once those files are on your drive, fire up erdas.

Hit the VirtualGIS button (top of screen) - then the virtualGIS viewer button. From here, you can load first your DEM (file - open - DEM) - it is a GRID format file. Then, in the same window, fo a file - open - raster layer. Your satellite image should then be draped over the dem. Way cool, eh?

Now to play. The manual navigation with the ole mouse is tricky, but flythroughs are easy. First, play around with the Heads Up Display. That's the way for manual navigation.

Once you've exhausted that, it's time for a animation. First point, be sure to save the animation (once you get there) to the D:\ drive. The file will be huge.

First, open a regular viewer and load either the DEM or your image. Doesn't matter. You will digitized and edit your flight path in that viewer window.

In your virtualGIS window, goto navigation - flight path editor. A new window will pop up. In this, goto utility-digitize flight path. Then, link to your regular viewer window. Now, just click along your proposed flight path. Double click to finish digitizing. You should notice a bunch of points in your flight path editor window.

Press the little, red lightning bolt. This will refresh all your latest changes. You will hit this puppy every time you make a change. Save the flight path file occasionally!!!!!

now, hit the start flight button and take a look at it.

OK - time to play a bit. In the flight path editor - edit section, you can change the elevations from relative to absolute, put in roll angles on your turns, etc. You can also edit any individual point in the editor - click and change it. You can also go back to your digitized flight path and move the points around.

Play until you're happy with your flight.

then make an animation. Hit the little movie camera button on the virtualGIS viewer, pick a filename - goto options and select entire movie - hit OK. Make it an .avi movie. For the compressor, use the cinepak codec by radius at about 80%. Once this window closes, hit the play button. The recording may take awhile, so break out your readings..... If I recall correctly, you cannot do anything else (no other windows on screen) while this is running.

Put your final animation on K:\430_animations. Use a filename which includes your name.

Give me a one page writeup regarding what you liked, didn't like, etc. about your results, the software, file sizes, etc. Also, let me know your animation filename so I can check it out.

Due Monday,22 May. 4points.