What's New in ENVI 6.2

This release includes the following new and improved features.

Highlights

Supported Data Types

Support for the following data formats has been added in this release:

Collaborative File Publishing Using the ENVI Repository

This release introduces the ENVI Repository, which is a cross-platform server that automates the management of file dependencies such as deep learning models, custom tasks with associated code, and spectral libraries across multiple machines. When files are uploaded (published) and then downloaded on different machines, ENVI ensures that all dependencies are downloaded as well and they are placed in a location where they can be found and accessed without conflict.

The following is two workflow examples using the ENVI Repository (example 2 requires an ENVI+IDL installation):

You can publish files using the Share > Publish to Repository option from the ENVI Modeler menu:

The Share menu in both the ENVI Modeler and the ENVI main menu provides options to download files from a repository server, and to add and manage repository servers. For details, see the ENVI Repository topic.

Spectral Detection and Classification Updates

ENVI's detection and classification algorithms have been refactored, which has improved processing speed by a factor of 2 to 4 times. In addition, covariance regularization options have been added to tasks that require covariance transform, to improve accuracy of spectral detection. Covariance regularization can suppress noise and clutter to improve the signal to noise ratio.

The following images show matched filter detection using image-derived spectra. On the left: Single pixel spectra selection. Center: Matched filter results without covariance regularization. On the right: matched filter results using covariance regularization (truncation). (Both matched filter images are scaled 0-1.)

The refactored tasks are listed below. Those marked with an asterisk (*) include the new covariance regularization parameters. See the New and Updated ENVI Tasks and Routines section at the end of this topic for details on new task parameters.

New On-the-Glass Controls

This release includes convenient new Rotate and Fly controls on-the-glass to streamline rotation and navigation within the view. Hover the cursor at the top right corner of the view for the controls to appear. For details on how to use them, see Rotate and Navigation.

Two-Color Multiview Tool

The new Two-Color Multiview tool takes two overlapping single-band rasters and creates a three-band raster product. When the product is combined, the first raster will be applied to the red channel and the second raster will go to the green and blue channels.

If the first raster represents an earlier time, the colors of the output can be interpreted with this mnemonic: red is fled, blue is new. For example, the image below is a two-color multiview composite of NDVI data for Las Vegas from 1985 and 2010. Areas highlighted in blue represent an increase in vegetation index, typically associated with urban expansion. Red areas signify regions where vegetation was lost between the two dates.

Vector Updates

The following vector updates are in this release:

Performance Improvements

The following performance improvements are included in this release:

Photogrammetry Module Bundled with ENVI

The Photogrammetry Module is now included in the ENVI installation. Note that a separate license is still required to use the Photogrammetry Module. Contact your sales representative for more information.

ENVITask Template Definition Update

The options parameter key has been introduced in this release. See ENVITask Template Definition for details.

ENVI Server Run Jobs Update

The ENVI Server has the added ability to run jobs in the background without GSF. See Run Jobs in the Background for additional information.

New and Updated ENVI Tasks and Routines

New tasks:

New tasks for the ENVI Repository:

Added object documentation:

New ENVI Repository methods added to the ENVI routine:

Updated tasks:

Updated routines:

The COLORMAP property has been added to the documentation for these routines:

See Also

See What's New (Previous ENVI Releases) for an archive of What's New information.