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NV5 Geospatial Blog

Each month, NV5 Geospatial posts new blog content across a variety of categories. Browse our latest posts below to learn about important geospatial information or use the search bar to find a specific topic or author. Stay informed of the latest blog posts, events, and technologies by joining our email list!



Not All Supernovae Are Created Equal: Rethinking the Universe’s Measuring Tools

Not All Supernovae Are Created Equal: Rethinking the Universe’s Measuring Tools

6/3/2025

Rethinking the Reliability of Type 1a Supernovae   How do astronomers measure the universe? It all starts with distance. From gauging the size of a galaxy to calculating how fast the universe is expanding, measuring cosmic distances is essential to understanding everything in the sky. For nearby stars, astronomers use... Read More >

Using LLMs To Research Remote Sensing Software: Helpful, but Incomplete

Using LLMs To Research Remote Sensing Software: Helpful, but Incomplete

5/26/2025

Whether you’re new to remote sensing or a seasoned expert, there is no doubt that large language models (LLMs) like OpenAI’s ChatGPT or Google’s Gemini can be incredibly useful in many aspects of research. From exploring the electromagnetic spectrum to creating object detection models using the latest deep learning... Read More >

From Image to Insight: How GEOINT Automation Is Changing the Speed of Decision-Making

From Image to Insight: How GEOINT Automation Is Changing the Speed of Decision-Making

4/28/2025

When every second counts, the ability to process geospatial data rapidly and accurately isn’t just helpful, it’s critical. Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) has always played a pivotal role in defense, security, and disaster response. But in high-tempo operations, traditional workflows are no longer fast enough. Analysts are... Read More >

Thermal Infrared Echoes: Illuminating the Last Gasp of a Dying Star

Thermal Infrared Echoes: Illuminating the Last Gasp of a Dying Star

4/24/2025

This blog was written by Eli Dwek, Emeritus, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD and Research Fellow, Center for Astrophysics, Harvard & Smithsonian, Cambridge, MA. It is the fifth blog in a series showcasing our IDL® Fellows program which supports passionate retired IDL users who may need support to continue their work... Read More >

A New Era of Hyperspectral Imaging with ENVI® and Wyvern’s Open Data Program

A New Era of Hyperspectral Imaging with ENVI® and Wyvern’s Open Data Program

2/25/2025

This blog was written in collaboration with Adam O’Connor from Wyvern.   As hyperspectral imaging (HSI) continues to grow in importance, access to high-quality satellite data is key to unlocking new insights in environmental monitoring, agriculture, forestry, mining, security, energy infrastructure management, and more.... Read More >

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Extracting Building Features from LiDAR and Optical Data

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As the availability of remotely acquired data continues to grow, high quality imagery is more accessible and less expensive than it was in previous decades. As a result, the need to incorporate remotely sensed imagery into GIS-based analyses continues to increase as well.  Further, LiDAR data can be combined with spectral imagery sources to efficiently provide map and information support for relief and recovery in the aftermath of a disaster, such as an earthquake.  One method of image analysis that can be used to take advantage of remotely sensed data and update GIS databases includes object-based image analysis.

When studying the operational landscape or needing updated information for situational awareness, one important factor that is needed is the quantity and location of building footprints. I n this study, the E3De LiDAR processing tool was used to extract building footprints from a dense LiDAR point cloud collection.  ENVI was used to fuse image data with the processed LiDAR data for enhanced building extraction efforts and attribution. The results from this image analysis process can be provided in raster or vector format, depending on the needs of the user. The results often provide critical, time-sensitive information that can be used, for example, to update a geodatabase, understand how many buildings are of a certain size, or create a map for dissemination to analysts on the ground.

Learn more about E3De, ENVI, and LiDAR feature extracting by attending my presentation at Esri's Federal GIS Conference on Friday, Feburary 24, 2023 in Room 209B at 10:15am.

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