Underwater Survey Explorer (USE)
For use with the Echoscope range of 3D real time sonars, the Underwater Survey Explorer, or USE, software suite is used both on-line and off-line to visualise, edit and manipulate 3D sonar imagery. USE software has a range of core platforms, or Editions, to which a series of modules can be added. The core USE Editions are:
- USE Standard: An entry level edition mainly for visualisation purposes
- USE Advanced: An intermediate level for access to more mapping type features
- USE Pro: Highest level software edition to access all available functionality
The following USE software modules can be added at any time to the USE software editions:
- Live Mode: For on-line control of the Echoscope sonar head
- Baseline Comparison: Used to automatically compare a previous 3D data set with a current survey
- Models: Used to augment the sonar data by importing computer models into the 3D space
- Exporting: An expanded data output option
USE Editions and Modules are specifically designed to optimise the capabilities of a number of tasks that an Echoscope 3D sonar may be deployed for. With patented rendering techniques, USE software can control the Echoscope sonar, provide a clear and intuitive user-interface to view 3D data, show real time 2D edge detection, perform tasks such as measurements, anomaly marking, data editing and the like, along with set up for motion and positioning referencing of the sonar head.
Vantage
For use with the Dimension range of 3D sonars, the Vantage software suite offers a whole new on-line visualisation experience for ROV pilots. With a unique quad-view, the ROV operator has a number of user-selectable displays from which to navigate the ROV with. Designed with ease of use in mind, the Vantage software combines the conventional “plan view”, commonly provided by scanning sonars, with three additional and separate real time perspectives of the subsea environment.
An interactive 3D view enables the ROV pilot to change the viewing perspective of the 3D data in order to better understand the current underwater scene. Additionally within the interactive display the pilot can zoom in and out and pan the display up and down.
The “forward looking” view provides a real time display from the direction the Dimension sonar is pointing. Normally this will be in the direction the ROV is pointing, thus this display supplies a real time 3D perspective akin to the pilot sitting inside the ROV and looking out.
Finally the interactive 2D “profile view” displays a slice of data to the pilot so he can determine the terrain topography or structural shape in front of the sonar. The profile view is connected to the “plan view” by a user-selectable sliding bar which can span the displayed profile within the across-track limits of the sonar range.
Vantage software has a number of editions to meet whatever requirement an ROV pilot may have. Specifically designed for ROV operations in mind, the Vantage software provides the latest in real time 3D piloting and obstacle avoidance software.