Summit Evolution 8 is the most user-friendly photogrammetric workstation on the market. It’s designed to interact with CAD and GIS, making it as easy as possible to extract usable three-dimensional information from stereo data. Summit Evolution is our hero product and we are excited to announce the launch of version eight, which includes a number of improvements.

Interested? Talk to one of our sales representatives today.

Improving Summit Evolution 8 Photogrammetry Software

Summit Evolution 8 is launching in August 2021. Our team has been developing digital mapping and photogrammetric products since 1987. As a user of DAT/EM software, you are invited to receive the upcoming Summit version 8.0 software update. DAT/EM has made many improvements to the programs, largely based on requests from users like you. Here are some of the updates you can employ with version 8.0:

• DAT/EM Admin tool: Release check, license server setting, CAD/extension enabler, and more, all in one place
• Summit: New images filter in the model generator, new project templates contain your favorite settings
• Terrain Projects: Speedier image and stereo mate generation from 100% of your Lidar input
• Keypad: New keyword lists to start Summit and LandScape functions
• ArcMap: New DAT/EM Replace Geometry, Contour Up/Down, and Explode Polyline tools
• ArcGIS Pro: New Zoom to Selected Object and XYZOUT tools; Support up to ArcGIS Pro 2.8.1
• AutoCAD: AutoCAD 2022 support
• MicroStation: Release of Capture and MapEditor for 64-bit MicroStation Connect products
• Global Mapper: Global Mapper 22.x support
• And much more! 

Key Features of Summit Evolution

Summit Evolution supports many types of multispectral imagery. It can be utilized alongside aerial film, small and medium-format metric cameras, orthophotos, matrix and push-broom digital airborne cameras, close-range imagers, LiDAR, UAS imagery, RPC satellites, and more.

The program can import third-party data, such as pre-processed UAS projects or aerotriangulation results, which ensures you can quickly set-up your systems. It digitizes three-dimensional vectors directly into a range of other programs (more on that below). The interface is robust and easy-to-use and image orientation can be done either automatically or manually to maximize productivity.

One of the most exciting features of this product is the unlimited zoom levels, which allows an incredible level of visibility. It also has a fast pan with automatic loading of adjacent stereo models to ensure you can easily find the perspective you need to advance your project. This avoids uncertainty and reduces valuable downtime you might otherwise spend second-guessing results.

DAT/EM also offers a range of specialized modules that can be added onto Summit Evolution to enhance specific functionality. For example, the Ortho+Mosaic module allows easy creation of precise orthomosaics, Contour Creator enables users to save finished contours to the CAD file, and Airfield 3D enables airspace obstruction mapping compliant with FAA guidelines.

Summit Evolution is an ideal solution for organizations looking for an efficient way to extract and edit large amounts of highly detailed data. Our customer list includes engineering firms, utilities companies, construction companies, departments of transportation, and timber companies. Our software is used in more than 70 countries, including the United States and Canada.

Want more? View the full list of features here.

Hardware Requirements to Roll Out Summit Evolution 8

The DAT/EM team endeavors to make all products as user-friendly as possible, including Summit Evolution 8. It works with high-end standard hardware, as long as you have a good quality graphics card, the latest version of Microsoft Windows, and good memory and storage. 

We recommend using it with a three-dimensional LED monitor. This will ensure you have accurate colors, high dynamic range quality, low input lag, and a responsive on-screen display. This provides a vastly superior user experience than a standard LED screen. We also recommend using a three-dimensional cursor, which requires a specialized mouse that enhances precision.

DAT/EM recommends four different 3D monitors:

• VR Logic Sonic 4: This product comes equipped with innovative and fast technology that allows users to produce high-quality HD 1080 (1920 x 1080) 3D stereoscopic images. 
• Contour: Take your display to the next level with Contour. This product displays high quality images, brightness adjustment, and consistency while also alleviating any stress on the eyes and body. 
• 3D Pluraview: Get a different perspective with the 3D Pluraview, which works to deliver full monitor resolution, making users more comfortable and fatigue-free while working. 
• NVIDIA 3D Vision: This product has been discontinued by nVidia, but DAT/EM users may continue to use 3DVision as long as nVidia drivers continue to work with Windows 10. Please contact us for further instruction. 

DAT/EM recommends two 3D mouse: 

• The Stealth Mouse: this mouse is specifically and intuitively designed for 3D applications. You have the option to choose between 4 different stealth mouse’s that all offer fast, high-resolution, and accuracy when using this product. 
• The GGS Softmouse: If you’re looking to tackle 3D photogrammetry, then this is the product for you. The GGS Softmouse is a small, two-handed operation, and easy to use. It also comes equipped with a soft, comfortable grip to lessen up room for any type of error. 

Software Requirements for DAT/EM Photogrammetry Software

Summit Evolution 8 is designed to work with all standard CAD packages, including AutoCAD, MicroStation, ArcGIS, and Global Mapper. DAT/EM has been known for this since day one. Summit Evolution 8 seamlessly integrates with other key software platforms to ensure your workflow is as streamlined and productive as possible – in that sense, we play in the same sandbox.

These are three key aspects you need to know:

• Summit Evolution utilizes Microsoft-compliant functionality to ensure a straightforward user experience that will allow you to access any location or any model.
• This software offers interior, relative, and absolute orientation tools and can import exterior orientation files and results of third-party aerotriangulation.
• Summit Evolution also improves vector data accuracy by removing pixel limitations that enhances user experience around measuring and zooming.

Have questions about the specific requirements? We can help. 

The Most User-Friendly Photogrammetry Software on The Market

The biggest difference between DAT/EM and other photogrammetry software developers is a commitment to providing superior software support. Our team will respond within a day and can often provide a solution within a week. For example, if you require a new tool, we can create and deliver a beta version. If it performs satisfactorily, we’ll roll it out in the next update.

This level of agility means we can quickly respond to market demands. For example, the last few years have seen a boom in drone image collection, processing, and mapping. However, drone mapping capabilities have been severely coming up short when it comes to using this kind of data. We know you want to see the vision in stereo and that you need to maintain a high level of precision. Our team is committed to not just making that possible, but continuously improving our product offerings and meeting the market demands of the future before they happen.

Summit Evolution has fully customizable menus and toolbars. It can flit back and forth between birds-eye and close-up views to ensure you can quickly reference specific locations within your models. There is also a user-friendly project management window with a helpful project overview tool that ensures you stay on track when it comes to meeting your deliverables.

Getting Started with Summit Evolution 8

We offer a 30-day demonstration period, which enables you to access a full version of the Summit Evolution 8 photogrammetry software, with technical support along the way as you’re learning the ropes. This is a great way to try it out and see how much it improves your workflow.

Our Summit Evolution 8 photogrammetry software comes in four product levels:

1. Professional.

This level includes orientation measurement, terrain visualization, point translation, orthorectification, contour generation, and DTM collection.

2. Feature Collection.

The feature collection is ideal for customers whose set-up, orientation, and ortho processing needs are being met elsewhere. It will seamlessly integrate with your system.

3. Lite.

The Lite version is a fast and simplified visualization tool specifically designed to suit the workflows of resource specialists, QA professionals, and GIS technicians.

4. Summit UAS.

Finally, the Summit UAS version adds a module called LandScape that enables Lite to analyze UAS data, such as point clouds, while collecting georeferenced vectors and being its own product all in one. 

DAT/EM photogrammetry software products are digital tools that allow you to get the information you need at an affordable price. If you’re not sure which product best suits your needs, you can view a full list of features in our Feature Comparison tool. This will ensure you select the functionality that will best suit your application so you can deliver your project on time.

Want to learn more? Contact us to request a demo.