The Extraction of A Digital Surface Model (DSM) : Jun 29th, 2016 Page 1 of 18

The Rio de Janeiro State University - UERJ
Laboratory of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing

The E-Foto project
The Extraction of a Digital Surface Model (DSM)
Authors: Patricia Farias Reolon and Lia de Souza e Simões Figueiredo
Revision: Jorge Luís Nunes e Silva Brito
Introduction
In the context of the E-Foto project a Digital Surface Model (DSM) stands
for a cloud of points which ground 3D coordinates (X,Y,Z) or (E,N,H) are
automatically computed by digital photogrammetry. Such a process is
computationally intensive. It involves a set of overlapping images forming a
block of photographs, the knowledge of both interior and exterior orientation
parameters of each of those images, the automatic finding of conjugate or
homologous point pairs in their overlapping areas, and the computation of the
space-intersection algorithm for each pair of conjugate points, thus leading to
the resulting cloud of points, whose ground coordinates are calculated.
The DSM Extraction module of the e-foto software can be executed

when you already have the parameters of the interior and exterior orientation for
all images in your project. From the DSM model it is possible to generate an
ortho-image or an orthomosaic from the surface area covered by a DSM.
The DSM extraction process is divided into three or four steps:

I. Manual configuration of automatic extraction algorithms and their
respective parameters;
II. Automatic searching for the corresponding (homologous) points of each
stereo-pair belonging to a photogrammetric project. If, for example, we have
three images in our project, we could have two stereo-pairs: images 1 and 2,
and Images 2 and 3. Then, we have to extract and to identify the homologous
points and to calculate the value of its coordinates in the object space (X, Y, Z)
or (E,N,H), depending upon the desired ground coordinate system you have
chosen in your project creation and management module;
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III. Manual edition of the DSM, by monoscopic measurements of conjugate

point pairs in problem areas, where the automatic measurements may have
failed; and,
IV. Optionally you may execute the interpolation of a regular grid from the
cloud of points that forms the DSM. This is an optional step, which is a pre-
requirement to generate an ortho-image or an orthomosaic.
The DSM Extraction
After running the e-foto free software it will appear its start up screen, as
shown in Figure 1. In the main menu you must choose the option Load File or
Last Project to load the file containing the interior and exterior orientation
parameters previously calculated. With your project already loaded you must
choose the option Execute and then DSM Extraction or press the keys
CTRL+D simultaneously.
When the DSM extraction module is opened you will see the screen as in
Figure 2.

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Figure 1 – The e-foto start up screen.
Figure 2 – The start screen of the DSM Extraction Module

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In the Automatic Extraction Options (Figure 3) tab you will see the
following parameters to be adjusted, and a brief explanation of them.
Figure 3 – The Automatic Extraction tab and its Options
 Image radiometric correction: it concerns to the correction of image

gray levels. Possible options are: No corrections / Histogram Equalization /
Histogram Matching. The default option is the method “histogram matching”.
 Matching method: this option allows the user to select the method to
perform automatic measurement of of homologous or conjugate point pairs. The
options are: Cross-correlation and Least-Squares Matching. We have used the
“Least-Squares Matching” method in this example.
 Region Growing step: Delimitation of the searching area with the
variable "step" defined in pixels in the seed insertion process. The default
option is 3 pixels.

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 Image downsampling: this variable reduces the geometric resolution of

the images for the implementation of automatic extraction of a DSM. We have
used in this example an “image downsampling” of 4, that is, reducing at four
times the resolution of the original images.
 Use pairs: this is the option for choosing the image-pairs in your project.
The options are: all pairs (for all pairs of photogrammetric images in use in your
project), or any specific image-pair. We will use the option “all pairs” in our
example.
 Matching Time: it shows the run time of the DSM extraction, in seconds.
 Eliminate bad points: this option is used for removal of the stitches,
which, after statistics analysis, are at odds with the other points of the set.
After setting the parameters, we must choose the DSM Extraction Panel
button to start the execution of the automatic extraction algorithm, as shown

in Figure 4. The status bar of the extraction progress indicates that the extraction
is being performed for the first pair.
After the execution of the DSM extraction, we will observe the Matching
Accurary Histogram panel. This is the accuracy of the automatic extraction, to
check the quality of the correlations. The number 1.0 indicates the perfect
matching accuracy, ie, the closer the value is to 1.0 the better the performance
of the process. Generally the value is between 0.7 and 0.9 of accuracy, as can
be seen in Figure 5.

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Figure 4 – The DSM extraction for the first pair of images
Figure 5 – The matching accuracy histogram
Now we can save the list of obtained matches. For doing that we must go
t o Load/Save options tab (Figure 6). You can choose between the following
parameters for the DSM extraction file format:

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 ASCII full (2D + 3D): it contains all the information about the points,
such as: sequence number; the pair id; the id of the left image and of the right
image; column and row of the left image; column and row the right image;
X, Y and Z or E, N, H of the points in the ground reference system.
 ASCII 2D points: coordinates of points in the 2D image-space.
 ASCII 2D points (BLUH): the same pairs of points described above only
in compatibility with the standard format of application software BLUH, with
header and footer, plus the sequence number (index) of the conjugate point-pair;
 ASCII 3D points (in the index): records only the coordinates X, Y and Z
or E,N,H of the point in the ground reference system.
 3D points ASCII (index): pair sequence number (index), coordinates X,
Y and Z or E,N,H of the point in the ground reference system.
For the Grid File Format you can choose between two options:
 Binary DSM Grid, or;
 ASCII 3D points.

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Figure 6 – Parameters of the Load/Save options
After configuring the file formats to save your DSM extraction or Grid, you
must click on the save button . A window will be opened where you can name
your DSM. Later this file can be loaded, modified and saved again.
You need to visually inspecting the generated DSM for the interest area of
the surface, as in Figure 7. From this observation we can identify areas with
“holes” in the automatic extraction of homologous point-pairs. Thus you can
manually launch (by monoscopic measurements) new seeds in these areas
through the seed editor, to obtain a better coverage of the region that has not
been fully explored by the region growing algorithm. The regions that appear in
black are the uncorrelated areas. In figure 7 we can also observe the white lines
that indicate the limits of the superposition of the images.

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Figure 7 – Results of the Automatic DSM extraction and the limits of each stereoscopic model
(white lines)
To edit the points, we must open the seed editor window. For doing that,
you should click on the button in the Editors panel on the DSM Extraction
window, and it will open the seed editor as shown in Figure 8. You can see the
options for the seed editor in table 1.

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Figure 8 – The Seed editor Window (by means of monoscopic measurements)
Table 1 – Functions of the buttons on the Seed Editor
Button Function
MARK: allows the user to mark a seed in each image.
MOVE: allows the user to move the image inside the view window.
ZOOM: allows the display magnification by using the left button of the
mouse and drag it, creating a zoom area on the screen.
ANTIALIAS: allows the user to do a blurred focus removing,
temporarily, the square form of the pixel. By clicking again, the pixel
goes back to its normal viewing.
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Button Function
EQUAL MOVEMENTS: makes both images to perform equal
movements.
EQUAL SCALES: allows the user to zoom both images in the same
scale proportion.
FIT LEFT: fits the left image in its window.
FIT RIGHT: fits the right image in its window.
FIT BOTH: fits both images simultaneously in their windows.
OVERVIEW: allows the expansion of the Detail view, hiding the

overview window.
NEARVIEW: expands the overview window, hiding the detail view
window.
DETAILVIEW ZOOM: defines the zoom of the detail view window.
Table 2 shows the additional functionality and options of the seed

editor:
Table 2 – Additional functionalities of the seed editor
Button Function
Allows you to choose the pair of images where

you want to add one or more seeds.
Position of the seed regarding the total number
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Button Function
of seeds without showing the correlating pairs
Allows the exhibition of all pairs of homologous

points automatically measured.
Loads the previously saved seeds.
Saves the edited seeds.
Adds a new seed.
Removes the seeds.
Accepts the update and exits.
Exits without saving the updates.
Now we will do the interpolation of a regular grid from the cloud of

points automatically extracted. To do this, we must go to the Grid Interpolation
tab and edit/choose the available options, as shown in Figure 9.
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Figure 9 – The Grid Interpolation tab
These are the available options for interpolation of a GRID from a cloud of
points::
 Grid interpolation source: The options are: Automatic extraction/

Manual extraction/ Both. Uses the data from the automatic extraction, manual
extraction or both, respectively.
 Grid interpolation method: Those are the interpolation options for the
cloud of points. The options are: Moving Average/ Moving Surface/ Trend
Surface/ Nearest Point.
 Grid Area: Defines the limits of the Grid to be interpolated, in the ground
reference system. The available options are:
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◦ Min and Max X, Y from points: This option allows that the area could
be defined automatically from the extracted points;
◦ User defined: the user can manually define the area of interest, in the
hypothesis that he/she wants to decrease or increase the grid in use.
When this option is chosen, it is released to editing the option: Grid
user's area, as shown in figure 9.
 Grid resolution: Defines the grid resolution in meters. The default value
1.00 by 1.00 meter.
NOTE: Inside the Moving Average panel, we have some parameters of the
interpolation methods. What deserves attention is the distance parameter,
which indicates the maximum distance to consider of the set of points used,
from a given grid cell, for calculating the interpolation of it. We suggest the
value of 10, which allows a good viewing of the points of the interpolation.
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Figure 10 – The Grid interpolation process in progress
To execute the interpolation, we should now click on the button

(Interpolate DSM to grid) of the DSM interpolation panel and the interpolation
process will begin, as shown in Figure 10. Please note that there is a status bar
displaying the progress of implementation. In figure 11 we can see the final
result. Please notice that we have not included any break-line file for
improvement or the DSM in our example. Although being an additional
refinement of a grid interpolation, an user is encouraged to try using this option
for improvement of his/her results.
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Figure 11 - The final result of the Grid Interpolation
After the automatic extraction of the DSM and the interpolation of the
obtained points in a grid, the user can evaluate the quality of the DSM generated
through a test, as seen in Figure 12. To perform this test, click in the DSM
Quality panel.
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Figure 12- The DSM Quality Checking Window.
The user will provide a certain amount of 3D reference or checking points

to be compared with those corresponding, extracted in the DSM. In this test, it
will be compared the values of the “Z” coordinate of each reference point with
their respective “Z” coordinate from the grid, obtained by the bilinear
interpolation of the X, Y coordinate of that point in the grid. The difference of
these values indicates the elevation error found for each point being analyzed.
The results of a DSM quality checking procedure may be saved two types
of files, both in text format, as follows:
 Point list (X, Y, Z): It is the list of reference points, where each row
contains the values of the X, Y, Z coordinates of a tab separated point. This list
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can be created from reference points (example: Ground Control Points) or 3D

points measured in other photogrammetric workstation and converted to this
format;
 E-FOTO Features: Points, lines and polygons measured in the
Stereoplotter module. (*.spf format)
Any contribution for correcting and improving this tutorial is very

welcome. Please send your comments and/or suggestions to the e-foto
team at http://www.efoto.eng.uerj.br/forum
<END OF TUTORIAL>
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The Rio de Janeiro State University - UERJ

Laboratory of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing

The DSM Extraction module of the e-foto software can be executed

The DSM extraction process is divided into three or four steps:

Jun 29th, 2016 Page 1 of 18

III. Manual edition of the DSM, by monoscopic measurements of conjugate

The DSM Extraction

Jun 29th, 2016 Page 2 of 18

Figure 1 – The e-foto start up screen.

Figure 2 – The start screen of the DSM Extraction Module

Jun 29th, 2016 Page 3 of 18

Figure 3 – The Automatic Extraction tab and its Options

 Image radiometric correction: it concerns to the correction of image

Jun 29th, 2016 Page 4 of 18

 Image downsampling: this variable reduces the geometric resolution of

button to start the execution of the automatic extraction algorithm, as shown

Jun 29th, 2016 Page 5 of 18

Figure 4 – The DSM extraction for the first pair of images

Figure 5 – The matching accuracy histogram

Jun 29th, 2016 Page 6 of 18

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Figure 6 – Parameters of the Load/Save options

Jun 29th, 2016 Page 8 of 18

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Figure 8 – The Seed editor Window (by means of monoscopic measurements)

Table 1 – Functions of the buttons on the Seed Editor

Jun 29th, 2016 Page 10 of 18

FIT LEFT: fits the left image in its window.

FIT RIGHT: fits the right image in its window.

FIT BOTH: fits both images simultaneously in their windows.

OVERVIEW: allows the expansion of the Detail view, hiding the

Table 2 shows the additional functionality and options of the seed

Table 2 – Additional functionalities of the seed editor

Allows you to choose the pair of images where

Position of the seed regarding the total number

Jun 29th, 2016 Page 11 of 18

Allows the exhibition of all pairs of homologous

Loads the previously saved seeds.

Saves the edited seeds.

Adds a new seed.

Removes the seeds.

Accepts the update and exits.

Exits without saving the updates.

Now we will do the interpolation of a regular grid from the cloud of

Jun 29th, 2016 Page 12 of 18

Figure 9 – The Grid Interpolation tab

 Grid interpolation source: The options are: Automatic extraction/

Jun 29th, 2016 Page 13 of 18

Jun 29th, 2016 Page 14 of 18

Figure 10 – The Grid interpolation process in progress

To execute the interpolation, we should now click on the button

Jun 29th, 2016 Page 15 of 18

Figure 11 - The final result of the Grid Interpolation

Jun 29th, 2016 Page 16 of 18

Figure 12- The DSM Quality Checking Window.

The user will provide a certain amount of 3D reference or checking points

Jun 29th, 2016 Page 17 of 18

can be created from reference points (example: Ground Control Points) or 3D

Any contribution for correcting and improving this tutorial is very

Jun 29th, 2016 Page 18 of 18

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