You can analyze images in the browser by measuring, comparing images side-by-side, enhancing pixels, applying spectral visualization, and creating time-lapse photography. Measurement tools can be found on the map. All other analysis tools can be found in the toolbar on the right.
take measurements
You can measure the distance between two points, the area within a polygon, or the azimuth of a drawn line.
The measurement tool is located in the lower right corner of the map, below the Draw AOI button. If you float over this icon, you will see the following tools available:
- Note that when you click these tools to use them, the active tool you're using turns teal. This will change based on the active tool you are using at the time.
The first icon from the left (the compass icon) is the Measure Bearing tool, which allows you to measure the bearing between selected points on the map. When you hover over the map, you are prompted to click two points to calculate the bearing .
After clicking two points, the results will appear on the map until you clear them (by clicking the trash can icon). You can continue to create two sets of points and calculate their azimuths as needed.
- Note: You can create several types of metrics on a map. That is, if you create a bearing measure and then choose to create an area measure, both will continue to be visible on the map until you choose to clear them with the trash can removal tool.
The second icon (Hash Polygon) is the Measure Area tool. When you hover over the map, you'll see a prompt: Click to create a line segment. Hold shift to draw freehand. Click twice at the same location to end. When you click on a few line segments, and then double-click to end the polygon shape, it turns white and gives you the total area (in square kilometers). You can create as many measurement polygons as you want. To clear, click the trash can icon.
The last icon (the ruler icon) is the Measure Distance tool. You are prompted on the map to click to create segments. Hold shift to draw freehand. Click twice at the same location to end. After clicking to create several segments, you can double-click to end the line measurement. The line will turn white and show the final distance. You can create multiple measurements on the map - to clear it, click the trash can icon.
Below is an example of using all three tools in the Measure toolset together. You can deactivate any measurement tool by clicking the icon again, which returns the icon to grey and deactivates the tool.
Compare images
You can compare planet image sets for different days, months and quarters side by side.
In the toolbar on the right, you will see the Compare icon at the top of the stack. When you click the compare icon, the map view changes and you're prompted to drag and drop images to compare .
Click and drag any image from the left pane, then release at the top of the map view. You can see the top center info box describing the imagery that has been added to the map view. Repeat again for the second image in the list in the left pane.
Now you can see that two images have been added to the map view and you can see a slider in the middle of the map view. The image to the left of the slider icon corresponds to the tile description in the upper left corner, as does the image on the right and the corresponding tile description in the upper right corner.
By clicking the slider icon and moving the mouse left or right, the map interface changes and you can compare two images stacked on top of each other.
The top middle icon means you can swap image overlays (making the bottom image the top image).
To swap an image on the map view with a new image, simply click and drag the new image to the map view, then drop into the appropriate quadrant to replace the image you don't want to compare anymore.
When comparing images, there are two tool icons in the bottom left stack - Slide and Opacity .
slide
This is the default option you choose when you choose a comparison tool. This controls the slider, allowing you to view two images stacked on top of each other.
Opacity
If you select the opacity option, you will see the image in the upper left corner and an opacity slider at the bottom of the map view.
As you slide the opacity bar to the right, the top image will fade away and the features of the bottom image will begin to become visible.
Enhanced pixels
You can enhance Planet's data to adjust contrast, brightness, and saturation.
Data guide
You can use pixel upscaling for our basemaps (surface reflection basemaps work best) as well as everyday scenes (you must order hosted data).
select enhancement
Select Enhancements from the right toolbar. The boost button is the second icon from the top. The tooltip should be Enhance imagery .
To enhance your images, you can choose from preset filters or make finer adjustments to your liking.
Preset modes include: * Auto Boost: Recommended for most use cases* Snow: Recommended for icy and snowy areas that typically wash off* Desert: Recommended for desert areas that typically wash off
Custom enhancement filters allow you to adjust contrast, brightness and saturation. Adjust by moving the slider to the right or left.
You can also adjust contrast, brightness and saturation by adjusting the points on the histogram. Turn on the Histogram toggle and click the point you want to adjust. If you enhance your image with a histogram, you can use the slider at the top of the histogram adjustment for post-processing.
Applied Spectral Visualization
Select Visualization from the right toolbar. The visual button is the third icon from the top. The tooltip should read Perform Spectral Analysis .
If you want advanced tools to analyze images outside the red-blue-green spectrum, you can use the spectral visualizer. These tools utilize spectral band information captured by Planet.
Data guide
You can use spectral visualization with surface reflectance basemaps as well as everyday scenes (you must order hosted data).
Choose your visualization
Visualizers are located in the toolbar on the right. When you click the third icon in the toolbar, you will see a menu of visualizations to choose from.
The visualization menu includes: * RGB: Red Green Blue * CIR: Color Infrared * NDVI: Normalized Difference Vegetation Index * NDWI: Normalized Difference Water Index (note that Planet uses NIR instead of SWIR to calculate NDWI) * VARI: In Atmospheric Visible Resistance Index* MSAVI2: Modified Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index* MTVI2: Modified Triangular Vegetation Index
Change your ribbon:
If you click CIR, your basemap visualization will automatically change to colored infrared. If you click on NDVI, NDWI, VARI, MSAVI2 or MTVI2, you will be able to select your color ramp in the lower left popup. Click the editing tool in the upper-right corner of the pop-up window. Click the carrot indicator to see your options. After selecting the color ramp, you can save your preferences by clicking Save. Your image will then reflect your chosen color ramp.
If you would like to see any other indices or band combinations that we have not yet offered, you can submit your request by clicking on the "No indices that meet your needs? Provide feedback" link. This will take you to a Google Form where you can tell us more about what you'd like to see. We may contact you if we have additional questions.
Try out demo data for pixel enhancement and spectral visualization
If you are not ready to order hosted data for your region and time of interest, or if you do not yet have access to a surface reflectance basemap, you can try our tool using Planet's demo data.
Basemap: If you are not currently viewing a surface reflectance basemap, when you click a tool in the toolbar, you will see a notification prompting you to switch to a surface reflectance basemap. If your organization has purchased access to multiple surface reflectance basemaps, you will see a list view. If your organization has not purchased any surface reflectance basemaps, you can choose to view a demo surface reflectance basemap. You can also purchase surface reflection basemaps online with a credit card by clicking Buy .
Daily Scenario: To try demo data, go to the left navigation and click the third icon down. Tooltips show access to your hosted data for analysis .
After clicking the icon, you will see a popup with options to select My Folders and Demo Data . Click Demo Data to see a list of folders. Folders are organized by examples related to industries and geographic regions. Once you find a folder that you find interesting, click it to see the images in that folder. Click on the image and go to the tools in the right toolbar to apply visualizations or enhancements.
Create time-lapse photography
If you want to compare multiple images over time, you can create a time-lapse in the Stories app.
Click the Stories icon in the right toolbar at the bottom of the stack . When you click this icon, you will see a popup with a link button that will take you to the Planet Stories app. In a story, you can make a time-lapse of multiple images. You can also post your timelapse on Planet's website or on your own website or social media accounts.
