AirNav Systems Forum

AirNav RadarBox and RadarBox24.com => AirNav RadarBox and RadarBox24.com Discussion => Topic started by: RodBearden on August 20, 2008, 03:43:52 PM

Title: Satellite pictures
Post by: RodBearden on August 20, 2008, 03:43:52 PM
Was it just me, or are you confused by the Download option for Satellite pictures?

I've just sussed it out - if you haven't done it yet, you must try it!

1 - get your normal map to the position and zoom level that you want - anywhere in the world.

2 - Go to Map, Satellite Layer, Download, and overtype the filename with something meaningful, like "Papua New Guinea", or "Southend"

Click Save, and in a few seconds the map appears and has been saved.

Magic!

Rod

PS I'm editing my maps to make them more contrasty and less blue.
Title: Re: Satellite pictures
Post by: pcochrane12 on August 20, 2008, 03:56:45 PM
got it
wow just watched shuttle12 rolling down the runway at newcastle on landing and taxi into the gate amazing
cheers paul
Title: Re: Satellite pictures
Post by: AirNav Development on August 20, 2008, 04:18:44 PM
Do you have a screen shot of it rolling on the runway? It would be great to see.
Title: Re: Satellite pictures
Post by: rocket on August 20, 2008, 04:24:01 PM
I'm just getting my head around this!

How far do you have to zoom in to get a good resolution for the satellite photo? I tried to zoom out so I could get the whole of the UK, but when I zoomed in, the picture becomes all pixelated.

Or am I doing this completely the wrong way?
Title: Re: Satellite pictures
Post by: tarbat on August 20, 2008, 04:29:38 PM
Zoom in as far as you can go to get the highest resolution.  But then you'll need to download lot's of separate images to cover a decent area.  Best appraoch is to decide what zoom level you want to view at, and download that image.
Title: Re: Satellite pictures
Post by: AirNav Development on August 20, 2008, 04:30:58 PM
What we have done here at development was to have a satellite image of the airport, approach and then area. Then name it like "London Heathrow", "London", "South UK".
Title: Re: Satellite pictures
Post by: rocket on August 20, 2008, 04:48:23 PM
Ah, thank you for your help, this is extremely interesting!

I'm at home now, and the demo RadarBox I have is in the shop so I'll have to wait until tomorrow to have another play.

What I am considering doing is dividing the airports & flight routes in and out into grid squares so I can gradually build up a high resolution picture over time. I imagine this will take some time to do as I want to do this all over the UK and Europe so I can demonstrate this new feature to customers.
Title: Re: Satellite pictures
Post by: RodBearden on August 20, 2008, 04:55:20 PM
Rocket - I reckon your customers will be impressed by you downloading a picture in front of them - I wouldn't bother storing hundreds of images!

Rod
Title: Re: Satellite pictures
Post by: RodBearden on August 20, 2008, 04:59:43 PM
That last post got me thinking - if you have satelite images stored - wouldn't it be a good idea if there was an image auto-select option that found and displayed the stored image that best suited your current map as you moved and zoomed around?

Something else for 2.1, Dev?

Rod
Title: Re: Satellite pictures
Post by: rocket on August 20, 2008, 05:04:56 PM
Rocket - I reckon your customers will be impressed by you downloading a picture in front of them - I wouldn't bother storing hundreds of images!

Rod

Hi Rod,

Yes, I agree, that is a good idea.

I also agree with your second post that that auto-image select facility would be a very good idea!
Title: Re: Satellite pictures
Post by: AirNav Development on August 20, 2008, 05:28:14 PM
Already on the request list. :-)
Title: Re: Satellite pictures
Post by: pcochrane12 on August 20, 2008, 06:04:35 PM
development
didnt get a shot but will attempt to if i get one  i will post not all rtns actually get to the runway easyjets tend to but ba and many othersstop short
cheers paul
Title: Re: Satellite pictures
Post by: pcochrane12 on August 20, 2008, 06:12:18 PM
oops missed
Title: Re: Satellite pictures
Post by: pcochrane12 on August 20, 2008, 06:53:21 PM
another couple of close misses
Title: Re: Satellite pictures
Post by: AirNav Development on August 20, 2008, 07:34:08 PM
Those position error are widely reported and caused by the aircraft IRS which send wrong information to the aircraft ADS-B equipment. Anyway great shots!
Title: Re: Satellite pictures
Post by: pcochrane12 on August 21, 2008, 08:10:43 PM
just got this shot of ncle with aircraft taxing out to the runway
Title: Re: Satellite pictures
Post by: testmonkey on August 21, 2008, 11:52:53 PM
What we have done here at development was to have a satellite image of the airport, approach and then area. Then name it like "London Heathrow", "London", "South UK".

I started doing something similar the other day. Was planning on working my way round all UK airfields and doing airport perimiter, 3 mile, 5 mile and 10 mile radius images for each one using the naming convenion EGBB, EGBB_3, EGBB_5 etc.

Am I the only one who thinks the NASA images are too messy for anything over a few miles radius? I just feel that they are a mass of greys and light blues and it's difficult to pick any real features out of them.
Title: Re: Satellite pictures
Post by: AirNav Support on August 22, 2008, 12:01:28 AM
Detailed sat images would:

1.) Be costly as they are not free.
2.) Detail means high CPU usage

Your not tracking cars in individual roads with RadarBox :) so the NASA images still give a good perspective.
Title: Re: Satellite pictures
Post by: testmonkey on August 22, 2008, 12:25:28 AM
Detailed sat images would:

1.) Be costly as they are not free.
2.) Detail means high CPU usage

Your not tracking cars in individual roads with RadarBox :) so the NASA images still give a good perspective.

Not knocking what we've got - I'm a senior systems and software test engineer working in a market leading environment and understand both points perfectly!

It's just a personal preference when viewing larger areas to stick to my old VOR, NDB based view as I find it difficult to identify clear urban / rural boundaries and therefore localities with the satellite view at such resolutions.

No offence meant :)
Title: Re: Satellite pictures
Post by: GlynH on August 22, 2008, 06:54:09 AM
What we have done here at development was to have a satellite image of the airport, approach and then area. Then name it like "London Heathrow", "London", "South UK".

I started doing something similar the other day. Was planning on working my way round all UK airfields and doing airport perimiter, 3 mile, 5 mile and 10 mile radius images for each one using the naming convenion EGBB, EGBB_3, EGBB_5 etc.

Am I the only one who thinks the NASA images are too messy for anything over a few miles radius? I just feel that they are a mass of greys and light blues and it's difficult to pick any real features out of them.

Hi testmonkey,

No...you're not alone...when I first saw them in the thread they looked amazing but having had the chance to use them for a while I find I am also preferring to go back to the usual radar screen type display.

Good feature though that it is I feel we have been spoiled by such things as Google Earth etc.

If as Support says the detailed Sat images are costly then why not consider a subscription to the higher detailed images?

This would give those of us with the CPU horsepower (I run Dual 3GHz Xeons but Dual/Quad core is becoming de rigeur these days) the choice and provide a revenue stream for AirNav.

Alternatively what about the Google Earth type images we see with AirNav Live and I have also seen running on SBS-1?

Kind regards,
-=Glyn=-
Title: Re: Satellite pictures
Post by: Allocator on August 22, 2008, 08:13:18 AM
Alternatively what about the Google Earth type images we see with AirNav Live and I have also seen running on SBS-1?

Kind regards,
-=Glyn=-

I think that you'll find the the SBS-1 Basestation software doesn't have any other map options than the simple display it comes with.  In order to dispaly the SBS-1 traffic on Google Earth maps, you have to hack the locked recording file with FileFreedom to get live data, run PlanePlotter (a 3rd party program) then select the "Output to Google Earth" option in planeplotter.  This produces a .kml(?) file that can be read and displayed by Google Earth - phew! are you still with me?

RadarBox outputs 5 minute delayed XML data on ports 7879 and and 30003.  If we really want a Google Earth type map display, there must be somebody out there clever enough to produce a kml file from this?
Title: Re: Satellite pictures
Post by: tarbat on August 22, 2008, 08:37:36 AM
What I've done is:
1. Use ANRB to setup a NASA satellite image - called it Inverness
2. Use Peoples Map (http://peoplesmap.com/example_simple) to capture the same area using the Getmapping image layer.
3. Save that image.
4. Resize and rotate so that it exactly matches the NASA image saved by ANRB.
5. Overwrite the NASA image.

That gives me this in ANRB.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3037/2786622016_40a6b09052_o.gif)

  I'm sure this process could be adapted for images zoomed into your favourite airport - for example:
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3113/2785778835_55f9c4e8a0_t.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarbat/2785778835/sizes/o/)
Title: Re: Satellite pictures
Post by: AirNav Development on August 22, 2008, 08:47:01 AM
>In order to display the SBS-1 traffic on Google Earth maps, you have to hack the locked recording file with FileFreedom to get live data

Adding to this we have to mention that SBS-1 does not meet any safety measures and that it is totally illegal to allow the users to do this. This kind of software should not allow users to access live data at anytime. This has been reported by many times on the SBS-1 forum and Kinetic/ML&S did nothing to correct that situation which puts them in a total illegal situation.
Title: Re: Satellite pictures
Post by: tarbat on August 22, 2008, 08:53:36 AM
Maybe Airnav could tell us what the format of data in the associated STL file is.  For my Inverness map, the STL file contains:
-22168208
310536242
614117
350406

I wonder what those numbers mean?
Title: Re: Satellite pictures
Post by: GlynH on August 22, 2008, 09:21:36 AM
Allocator: Phew...I'm with you but only just! :-)

I realised that SBS-1 wouldn't do it 'out of the box' as it depends on add-ons for everything - one of the things that attracted me to RB in the first place...

It's just that when I saw it in action I was shown the Google Earth bit and it looked impressive. I was not certain of the mechanics behind it though...

Tarbat: Those images you posted look awesome! Now that I (and everyone else I would think) would love to use.

I feel a tarbat thread along the lines of the 'Rod Bearden Show' coming along to save lazy people like me from all that hard work!

I'd pay to subscribe to that...

Imagine if mapping to that level was 'in the box' - are you listening Dev -help that man with his question...:-)

Didn't realise you were on Flickr Chris - obviously you have an interest in aircraft or else you wouldn't be here would you? :-)

When you get a minute take a look at the aircraft pictures on my Flickr page;

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10783221@N07/sets/72157606056212172/

Dont forget the F-22 Raptor shot during the torrential rain when practising on the Friday for the cancelled show earlier this year;

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10783221@N07/2661415853/

Thanks & kind regards,
-=Glyn=-

Title: Re: Satellite pictures
Post by: tarbat on August 22, 2008, 10:08:04 AM
I feel a tarbat thread along the lines of the 'Rod Bearden Show' coming along to save lazy people like me from all that hard work!

Hard work is good for you!!!  And I have a very low boredom threshold.  However, I did have a quick go at doing Heathrow Airport (click the thumbnail for full size image).

  PEOPLES MAP      NASA MAP
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3251/2785891037_5e9708a16d_t.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarbat/2785891037/sizes/o/)(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3227/2786746558_e344a61478_t.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarbat/2786746558/sizes/o/)
Title: Re: Satellite pictures
Post by: GlynH on August 22, 2008, 10:29:00 AM
I feel a tarbat thread along the lines of the 'Rod Bearden Show' coming along to save lazy people like me from all that hard work!

Hard work is good for you!!!  And I have a very low boredom threshold.  However, I did have a quick go at doing Heathrow Airport (click the thumbnail for full size image).


Yeah but I have done enough hard work to last me a lifetime and at my time of life I am looking for an easy life...:-)

You probably wouldn't think so though as it seems I have been inadvertantly upsetting the natives again..<sigh>

The difference in mapping is staggering Chris...I'm gonna have to take a look at doing some of those maps myself...might make them a little lighter or more 'transparent' so I can see the aircraft better though.

Either that or buy some glasses...:-)

Thanks & regards,
-=Glyn=-
Title: Re: Satellite pictures
Post by: tarbat on August 22, 2008, 10:33:18 AM
Don't worry, the natives are generally friendly, but are rightly proud of their achievements, particularly when compared to the competition.  As for satellite images, I don't use them myself, I much prefer a basic ATC type display!!!
Title: Re: Satellite pictures
Post by: GlynH on August 22, 2008, 10:42:08 AM
Don't worry, the natives are generally friendly, but are rightly proud of their achievements, particularly when compared to the competition.  As for satellite images, I don't use them myself, I much prefer a basic ATC type display!!!

Yeah well I do worry...they have every reason to be proud of their achievements and as I have said I am equally as proud to be using them...

Like you it would appear I prefer to use the normal type radar screen but after seeing your screenshots...I am hooked.

I have taken a look at the link you gave me and found the view of my home location so will have a go at converting it.

I am guessing you save the Peoples Map as a jpeg but how/what do you use to compare them so the size/layout is the same?

And do you need to create a different .STL file?

Thanks & regards,
-=Glyn=-
Title: Re: Satellite pictures
Post by: tarbat on August 22, 2008, 10:53:14 AM
Yes, save the Peoples Map as a JPG.  I use Microsoft Image Composer to resize and rotate.  Last one I did I had to resize by 59%, and rotate by +2%, but each map will be difference.  And no, you have to use the existing STL file, unless we can work out what the numbers in the STL file mean.
Title: Re: Satellite pictures
Post by: Allocator on August 22, 2008, 10:53:51 AM
Why stop at satellite pictures.  If there was a manual map calibration utility to convert lat/lon to the AirNav format, then you could use any map or chart you like.

This was produced in the same way as tarbat described.  Satellite image downloaded for the area of interest, Memory Map scrolled and zoomed to match, then saved with the same name as the satellite image - overwriting it so the Memory Map shot loads instead :-)
Title: Re: Satellite pictures
Post by: tarbat on August 22, 2008, 10:55:51 AM
You beat me to it!!!  I've got Memory Map open at the moment doing exactly the same thing.  Too much time on my hands I think!

The OS map one looks good though.
Title: Re: Satellite pictures
Post by: RodBearden on September 14, 2008, 04:00:12 PM
As an additional thought to this thread, I would like to suggest that AirNav give us a keyboard shortcut for downloading/saving the satellite image in RB - that way we can get one while we are in full-screen map view.

At the moment we can only download images while the grid is displayed so that we can see the menu bar.

Rod