SER-FL-051 Charlotte County Composite Squadron Punta Gorda, Florida Major Dick Morrell/Capt Neil Heisner

CAP Aerial Photography Image Upload Overview January 2017 SER-FL-051 Charlotte County Composite Squadron Punta Gorda, Florida Major Dick Morrell/Capt Neil Heisner

Discussion Items General AP Image Upload Flow Image File/Folder Management Image Inspection/Review and Culling Images Image Bulk Renaming Procedures (If Directed) Image File Upload Preparation for Large Image Folders Image Upload using FEMA Image Uploader Confirming successful upload to FEMA Image Sites 2

General AP Image Upload Flow Copy AP Images to Folder RAW (Untouched) Folder WORKING Folder View Images in Working Folder Check Location & Metadata Remove Duplicate/Bad Images Rename Images (If Required) Usually use Sortie Number Usually use Photo Mission Area 3

General AP Image Upload Flow (Continued) Prepare FEMA Image Uploader Create New Task (IF Required) Create New Mission (Usually Required) Upload Images to CAP Event Break uploads to 300 Images Watch Progress of Upload Verify Images were Uploaded FEMA Public Site FEMA GeoPlatform 4

CAP FEMA Uploader Instructions - Revised 2 August 2017 https://www.capmembers.com/media/cms/cap_fema_uploader_instructions 2_A_12BA36383A092.pdf 5

Image File/Folder Management There are no Set in Concrete procedures for Aerial Photography File Management, but here are some Guidelines from Prior Experience: A. Create a Mission Folder for all AP Images for that Mission. I would name this Folder by the Mission Number -FEMA Event or CAP Event - Date. An Example would be 18-A-1234_Group 5 SAREX 04_2018 B. Create Individual Folders for each AP Sortie. I would use the Sortie Number, AP to indicate Aerial Photography, and the Area or Mission Diseciption. An example would be A0002_ AP_ELT RAW. These Images are to be saved AND NOT TOUCHED, Incase you have a problem with Deleted Images/corrupted Files Etc later in the Process. C. Create another almost Identical Folder but name it WORKING and copy all images to the Folder. This is the Only Folder you will be working with and deleting and modifying Images. If you make a mistake, you can always go back to the RAW Folder and start over with a new working folder. An example would be A0002_ AP_ELT_WORKING 7

Image File/Folder Management D. Working with your WORKING Folder, Clean out any unnecessary Images with Wing struts, wheels, badly out of focus, pictures of the Grandkids, family Cat, parking signs etc. Everything in your upload folder will go into the FEMA Public Website. I really like Nikon Free Software ViewNX2 for rapidly viewing Imagery in a folder, making sure it is all Geo-registered with Lat/Long, Merging unregistered images with a GPS File, and deleting any undesirable images from the Upload File. E. Once your WORKING Folder is complete, I like to copy all of the Images to a Folder called UPLOAD. As a Shortcut, I have also just renamed the WORKING Folder to UPLOAD. An Example would be A0002_ AP_ELT_ UPLOAD F. If you Need to break down large Floders of Images, I recommend keeping the size to 300 Images or smaller. We have found the FEMA Image Uploader can Choke on very Large numbers of Images in one folder. In this case I would lable my Upload Folders as 1, 2, 3 Etc. An Example would be A0002_ AP_ELT_ UPLOAD-1 8

Image Inspection/Review and Culling Images Again, I know of no real Set in Concrete procedures for Viewing and Culling (Deleting) Aerial Photography Images, but here are some Guidelines from Prior Experience: A. After I have created a WORKING Folder for the Images, I highly favor using the Free NIKON Image Viewer called ViewNX2. B. View NX2 has some really great Capability, and takes just a Little training and practice to use effectively. C. I have a 5 Step Process when reviewing Images that Includes: 1. Quickly Check to see that each Image is GeoTagged with a Location in Lattitude/Longitude. 2. Check to see where the Location of the Images are on a Map. 3. View each Image to see if it fits the Mission Objectives. 4. Eliminate any Duplicate or Inappropriate Images Like Pictures inside the Aircraft, Camera Set up Checks Etc. 5. Save all remaining Images to an UPLOAD Folder for further Upload to Image Uploader. 11

Image Inspection/Review and Culling Images View NX2 12

Image Inspection/Review and Culling Images View NX2 Brouser/Map Modes Mode Selection Image Folder Selection Large Image View Image MetaData Individual Geotagged Thumbnail Delete Image 13

Image Inspection/Review and Culling Images View NX2 Brouser/Map Modes Mode Selection Image Folder Selection Large Image View Image MetaData Individual Geotagged Thumbnail Delete Image 14

Image Inspection/Review and Culling Images View NX2 Navigate to your WORKING FOLDER Image Folder Selection Use the Folder and open the desired Folder, In most cases it will be the WORKING FOLDER. Be careful that YOU ARE NOT ACCIDENTLY OPENING AND MODIFYING THE RAW FOLDER 15

Image Inspection/Review and Culling Images View NX2 - Check to see that each Image is GeoTagged Use the Slider Bar and if Each Individual Image has a Globe below it, then it has been GeoTagged. 16

Image Inspection/Review and Culling Images View NX2 - Check to Verify Map Image Location Change from Brouser Mode to Map Mode. This will bring up a Disclaimer (Click OK) and Pins for the Geolocation for each Image. 17

Image Inspection/Review and Culling Images View NX2 - Check to Verify Map Image Location In Map Mode, you can change the Background from Satellite to Map or Hybrid. Clicking on a specific Pin will highlight a specific Image, and Vice Versa. Make note to remember the general Image locations, so you can verify after you upload the Images on one of the FEMA Map Sites. 18

Image Inspection/Review and Culling Images View NX2 - View Images for Mission Objectives. If the Mission was to find a Target near an Practice Beacon Site, then this Image probably should not be uploaded! When in doubt, talk to the Aerial Photographer (If Possible) or the Incident Commander. When still in doubt, Upload the Image. 19

Image Inspection/Review and Culling Images View NX2 - View Images for Mission Objectives. Here is another Image probably should not have been uploaded If a more suitable Image of the Target Area could have been found! When in doubt, talk to the Aerial Photographer (If Possible) or the Incident Commander. 20

Image Inspection/Review and Culling Images View NX2 Eliminate Inappropriate Images Delete Image There are literally hundreds of GVE (Virb) images of the Airport Runway and Taxiways in Puerto Rico that should not have been uploaded. Unless the mission is to detect Fire Ant Colony's on the Tarmac, Don t upload!! BUT Please make sure you are in your WORKING FOLDER Before Deleting! 21

Image Inspection/Review and Culling Images View NX2 - Save remaining Images to UPLOAD Folder You can Highlight all of the Final Approved Images by selecting the First Image and Scrolling to the Last Image while holding the CTL Key to Select All. Right Mouse Key brings up the Menu where you can copy to your UPLOAD or FINAL Folder. (Another option is to Rename your WORKING FOLDER to UPLOAD FOLDER) 22

Image Renaming Procedures As an Aerial Photographer or Image Processor, you will be dealing with a variety of different types of Images, including NIKON, GARMIN Virb Elite, and possibly, Images from Unmanned Aerial Systems. You may be directed to change all of the Image Names that you upload from a particular AP Sortie to better reflect the Sortie and the Target for FEMA. Oblique Image Hurricane Irma (Image File Name Unchanged) UAS Image Cal Fires (Image File Name Unchanged) Image Hurricane Maria - (Image File Name Changed for Sortie & Target) 24

Why Rename?? An easy and effective way of modifying all Image Names is to use File Rename in Windows File Explorer, but another Method is to use a Utility from the UK Named Bulk Rename. File Explorer Bulk Rename 25

File Explorer Renaming Procedures Use Select All and Rename to change all the Images in the Folder 26

File Explorer Renaming Procedures Use Rename to change the name of the First Image and Rename again to change the names of all the Images in the Folder with a Sequence starting with (1) 27

Image Bulk Renaming Procedures The Last major Operation our Florida Wing participated in was Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In that operation we were directed to change all of the File Names for the Uploaded Images to include the Mission Sortie. Number and AP Target Area. http://www.bulkrenameutility.co.uk/ Main_Intro.php 28

Image Bulk Renaming Procedures After downloading and Installing the Bulk Rename Utility on your Computer, Select the Folder of Images you wish to Rename and Right Mouse Click on that Folder.

Image Bulk Renaming Procedures Right Mouse Click will bring up the Normal Options along with Your new Bulk Rename Here Option.

Image Bulk Renaming Procedures Selecting Bulk Rename Here Option will open the Bulk Rename Utility and open the Folder and show all the Images in the Window. You will be using the Replace Window and the Rename Button in the Utility.

Image Bulk Renaming Procedures Here I have Replaced VIRB with A0003_AP_East_Wall

Image Bulk Renaming Procedures

Image Bulk Renaming Procedures After checking the successful Rename of the First File, Highlight the Remainder of the Files in the Folder and Select Rename again.

Image Bulk Renaming Procedures

Image Bulk Renaming Procedures Now all of your Images have the Word VIRB replaced with the new name: A0003_AP_East_Wall but keeping the original Sequence Number.

Image File Upload Preparation for Large Image Folders As we Previously mentioned, We have found the FEMA Image Uploader can Choke on very Large numbers of Images in one folder. If you Need to break down large Floders of Images, I recommend keeping the size to 300 Images or smaller. In this case I would lable my Upload Folders as 1, 2, 3 Etc. An Example would be A0002_ AP_ELT_ UPLOAD-1 An Image disk/folder with 1200 Images might be broken down into four Upload folders to be uploaded. An Example would be A0002_ AP_ELT_ UPLOAD-1 A0002_ AP_ELT_ UPLOAD-2 A0002_ AP_ELT_ UPLOAD-3 A0002_ AP_ELT_ UPLOAD-4 40

CAP FEMA Uploader Instructions - Revised 2 August 2017 https://www.capmembers.com/media/cms/cap_fema_uploader_instructions 2_A_12BA36383A092.pdf 42

UPLOAD IMAGES 1) Now comes (What should be!) the Easy Part Uploading a File of Images. Here is a Sample of five images of an abandoned Pier in Boca Grande Pass. Note that we also have a GPS Tracker Log File with the Images 43

UPLOAD IMAGES 2) FOR TRAINING OF UPLOADS YOU SHOULD SELECT CAP TRAINING from the Drop Down Menu. This is for your Practice Imagery. For Actual Events,You may be directed to use another Event (Like CAP Ca Wildfires) as your Event Folder for Uploading Imagery. The Events are only created by an Event Manager from FEMA on request from CAP National. 44

UPLOAD IMAGES 3) Once you select an event, you will be able to select or create a Team. CAP is standardizing on using the assigned Air or Ground Mission Number from WMIRS. The Team (CAP Mission Name) may already be Loaded (For Example on the second or third Day of a SAREX Mission), or you may have to create the Team. To add a New Team click on the +New Team Box and Type in the CAP Mission # (Example: 15-T-11135). To be consistent, please use capital letters and dashes. (For Example, use 18-A-1000 Vice 18-a-1000 or 18a1000) 45

UPLOAD IMAGES For Standardization throughout CAP, we are using the WMIRS Mission Number as the TEAM, and the WMIRS Sortie Number as the Mission. 46

UPLOAD IMAGES 4) Once you have Selected an existing Team Name, or Created a New Team, you are now ready to select or create a Mission. CAP is Currently standardizing on using the Sortie Number from WMIRS assigned to the Flight or Ground Sortie. On a few rare occasions The Mission (CAP Sortie Number) may already be Loaded (For Example on a single Sortie you take 5 groups of different Target Images and want to create files and load each target separately). In most cases, you will have to create a New FEMA Mission (CAP Sortie) for your Photographs. 47

UPLOAD IMAGES 5) When creating a New Mission, use the Sortie Number as the Mission Name. (Confusing isn t it!!). Using the standard Naming convention A for Air Sorties and G for Ground sorties. 6) After filling in the Mission Name (In the below case Air Sortie A0002), select todays date for when you uploaded the Images. Since the Camera has already imbedded the date and time the Image was taken, both pieces of information (Date Taken and Date Uploaded) will be available when you want to search for your Images. 48

UPLOAD IMAGES 7) The Final process in Step 1 is fairly important, that is choosing the type of Images you are uploading. The Three Options are: AERIAL OBLIQUE: Target Shot at an angle from the Horizon down form 20 Degrees to 45 Degrees. These will be displayed on the Map with a Green Dot. AERIAL NADIR: Image is Shot looking (almost) Straight Down. It would also incorporate Imagery taken with a New VIRB Wing mounted Garmin Camera. These will be displayed with a Purple Dot. GROUND: Images were shot with a Camera used by a Ground Team. It would also incorporate Images taken with a standard CAP Handheld Camera like the D-90 or D-7100, or with a Camera like a GO Pro mounted in the Window of a Car. These will be displayed with a Yellow Dot. 49

UPLOAD IMAGES Here are some Examples of uploaded CAP Imagery: AERIAL OBLIQUE: Green Dot. AERIAL NADIR: Purple Dot. GROUND: Yellow Dot. 50

UPLOAD IMAGES 8) Step 2 - With our Event, Team(WMIRS Mission ) and Mission (WMIRS Sortie) chosen. We are finally ready to select the Files and Images to upload. 51

UPLOAD IMAGES and GPS TRACK LOG The AMOD 3080 was used as GPS Tracker External to the D-90 Camera to track our Flight. (The Camera was also connected to a GP1 GPS that was stamping the Location and Altitude to each image as it was taken) In Step 2 you can select and upload the GPS Track Log of the Flight. Selecting the Browse Button will open up a Browser to allow you navigate to the appropriate GPS Track Log in.nmea Format. This Step is Optional if all of your Images are already Geo-Registered. 52

UPLOAD IMAGES 9) Step 2 - Since our AMOD GPS File has no extension (It may be a txt file!), nothing initially appears to select in your target GPS Log Folder, even though AMOD does present the GPS Points in a.nmea format. NOT A PROBLEM! Just change the default selection type from.nmea to All Files to find your GPS Track Log. Once ALL FILES option is selected, then your GPS Log may be chosen. This Step is Optional if all of your Images are already Geo-Registered. 53

IMAGE UPLOADER GOTCHAS Here are some tricks and tips to help with the normal frustration in using new software that may be alleviated as changes and improvements come down in the future. 1) Make sure your computer will accept Adobe AIR files by downloading and installing AdobeAir before clicking on the FEMA ImageUploader installation. 2) Make sure you are installing and using the newer ImageUploader and not the old CAPUploader. Since the Icons are identical you sometimes have to check the Names or open and look for the Map and see if Step 2 includes uploading NMEA Files. 3) Get your URL loaded correctly! The New ImageUploader URL is: https://apps.femadata.com/imageeventsservice/api.svc 4) Get your Wing assigned Tokens loaded correctly! In the previous system, it would indicate it was uploading when the Token was incorrect, but no images were being uploaded. The Wing Operations Folks should have your assigned Tokens. As far as I can tell, the Old Tokens that worked with CAPUploader, DO NOT WORK with the newer ImageUploader. REMEMBER TO SAVE YOUR SETTINGS. 5) You have to be on the Internet for the ImageUploader to work! The URL you uploaded will direct the Uploader to a site with the latest Active Events and an ESRI Map. If you cant see a map, and you can t select drop down Images, then your URL is wrong, or you aren t connected to the internet. 54

IMAGE UPLOADER GOTCHAS (Continued) 6) Save your original Images to a RAW File Folder, and then create an Upload Folder. Clean out any unnecessary Images with Wing struts, wheels, badly out of focus, pictures of the Grandkids, family Cat, parking signs etc. Everything in your upload folder will go into the FEMA Public Website. I really like Nikon Free Software ViewNX2 for rapidly viewing Imagery in a folder, making sure it is all Geo-registered with Lat/Long, Merging unregistered images with a GPS File, and deleting any undesirable images from the Upload File. 7) When Creating an Upload in STEP 1, you can only choose created and active Events from the Drop Down Menu. If you have a strong need for your own Event, contact your State Reps with the justification, and they may have the pull with FEMA to add your Event to the Drop Down Menu. 8) When Creating a TEAM, Use the full WMMIRS Mission Number with Dashes. Like 15-A-12345. Use the CORRECT MISSION NUMBER if already Created 9) When Creating a MISSION (CAP SORTIE), Use the full WMMIRS Sortie Number like A0015 and General Location if Know. (If YOU DON T KNOW - ASK!!) 10) When Creating a Mission, know what kind it will be (Aerial Oblique, Aerial Nadir, or Ground) This will assign the appropriate color for the Point when it is loaded on the FEMA or Florida GATOR Map. Usually Handheld airborne will be Oblique, but you can get near vertical if needed with a steep bank. Most Nadir will be with the new Camera systems (VIRB) mounted on the outside of the Aircraft. 55

IMAGE UPLOADER GOTCHAS (Continued) 10) If you can, use a Back Up GPS Tracker Log. It can save the mission and/or a ton of time trying to Geo-register your 300 Images when your GP-1 or Solmetta Camera GPS stops during the Mission. View NX2 or RoboGeo Software can merge the Track Log with the Images after the mission is complete, You will have a backup. 11) AVOID loading the GPS Track Log in STEP 2, unless specifically requested - loading the GPS Track Log to ImageUploader is Optional. If you first assure that ALL of your images are Geo-Registered, you might want to consider the desirability of also uploading the GPS Track File. 12) Selecting the Image Dot in both of the two FEMA Sites (Public and GeoPlatform) bring up a Box with the DATE or Full METADATA for the Image and a thumbnail. If you look on FEMA GeoPlatform for CAP Images, the METADATA will tell you a bunch of helpful Info like the Event Name, the Team(CAP Mission) and Mission (CAP Sortie). 56

Display Uploaded Images from one of Two FEMA Image Sites FEMA Public Image Events OR FEMA GeoPlatform for CAP Images 58

Display Uploaded Images from FEMA Public Image Events CAP Members (And The Public!) can view your newly uploaded images from the Following Site. If you get to the page below Look for the MAPS at the top of the Page (Hard to see): http://imageryuploader.geoplatform.gov/imageeventspublic/ Very Hard to read, but you ll need the Map Page. 59

Display Uploaded Images from FEMA Public Image Events A better Link to Save for the FEMA Public Maps is shown below. Use the pull down menu to see the Events of interest. http://imageryuploader.geoplatform.gov/imageeventspublic/map.html Advantages: 1) Quick and relatively easy to use 2) Can Select by Event 3) Can see and Zoom in on Images Disadvantages: 1) Very hard to click on Image Dots 2) Will only see Date of Image 3) Unable to confirm Image MetaData 60

Display Uploaded Images from FEMA Public Image Events Depending on your Internet speed, It may take a while (Sometimes more than a couple of Minutes!) for the Images to show. Here are Images for Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico http://imageryuploader.geoplatform.gov/imageeventspublic/map.html 61

Display Uploaded Images from FEMA Public Image Events Zoom in on the Green (Oblique) Purple (Nadir) or Gold (Ground) Dots to bring up a Thumbnail of the Images You have to click EXACTLY on the DOT or you ll get No Info Available Click on a Thumbnail to bring up a Large Image in a New Web Page 62

Display Uploaded Images from FEMA Public Image Events Click on the Thumbnail to open a New Window with full Image 63

Display Uploaded Images from FEMA GeoPlatform for CAP Images http://fema.maps.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html?webmap=990b93 d2522441a48bf2aaf536518419 Advantages: 1) Shows ALL CAP Images Taken 2) Easier to click on Image Dots 3) Can see and Zoom in on Images 4) Can See Image Meta Data Disadvantages: 1) Can Not Filter by Image Event 2) May confuse new upload with older Images taken 64

Display Uploaded Images from FEMA GeoPlatform for CAP Images Again, Depending on your Internet speed, It may take a while (Sometimes more than a Minute) for the Images to show. This Map shows Images for Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Isles These Images out in the ocean in the Yellow Box were somehow Tagged with a Corrupted Location and should not have been uploaded! http://fema.maps.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html?webmap=990b93 d2522441a48bf2aaf536518419 65

Display Uploaded Images from FEMA GeoPlatform for CAP Images Zoom in on the Green (Oblique) Purple (Nadir) or Gold (Ground) Dots to bring up a Thumbnail of the Images In FEMA GeoPlatform you can collect several images at a time (Here we have 1 of 4) We can also see the MetaData and name for the Image. Scroll down to select and View the Thumbnail This is an Area in St Croix in the US Virgin Islands 66

Display Uploaded Images from FEMA GeoPlatform for CAP Images Click on the Thumbnail of the Image to Open a Full Size Click on the Arrow on the Top Right to see the other 3 Images We can also see the MetaData and Image name Mission, Date Taken and Uploaded, etc. This is an Area in St Croix in the US Virgin Islands 67

Display Uploaded Images from FEMA GeoPlatform for CAP Images This is an Area in St Croix in the US Virgin Islands 68

Display Uploaded Images from FEMA GeoPlatform for CAP Images Zoom in and out of the Image with One Click 69

Comments/Recommendations Contact Information: Richard W. Morrell Major - Civil Air Patrol (ID 484837) SER-FL-051, Charlotte County Composite Squadron rwmorrell72@gmail.com (703) 505-9885 70