High spatial resolution remotely sensed data streams from multiple sensors present an increasing challenge and opportunity for mapping applications. eCognition Developer software is a leader in GEOBIA based automated feature extraction capability for high spatial resolution multi-sensor based mapping. This workshop will introduce the participants to the fundamental concepts of GEOBIA mapping workflows and provide a hands-on exploration of eCognition Developer software. This includes an overview of the eCognition interface, exploration of segmentation algorithms, creating workspaces and projects, object exploration, interpretation keys, ruleset development and a simple classification. The fusion of spectral and spatial Remotely Sensing (RS) data in mapping applications will be emphasized. There are several resources available for learning about additional capabilities of eCognition which will be discussed. GEOBIA workflows replicate human visual cognition which are based not just on spectral information, but include object attributes like geometry, location, size, texture, pattern, context, shadows and relations to neighbors. Traditional RS image classification approaches are solely based on the spectral properties of pixels of moderate resolution (>10 m) multispectral (MSI) satellite data. In the past two decades there has been a proliferation of MSI from satellite and aerial platforms at a high spatial resolution (<1 m). Lidar collects are increasing nationwide where the point clouds can be processed to <1 m rasterized elevation models. Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) are data collection platforms at an ultra-high spatial resolution to the order of centimeters. Pixel based spectral classification approaches do not work for high and ultra-high spatial resolution data. These high spatial resolution and exponentially increasing RS data streams give a particular contemporary importance to the multi-sensor mapping capabilities of the eCognition Developer software. This workshop will introduce GEOBIA principles and ruleset development in an interactive and hands-on manner. Participants will be provided with instructions for installing the eCognition Developer software and the provided RS data on their laptops, prior to the workshop.
