SAMM

Stand Alone Mosaicking Module

for Forward-Looking Sonar

User Manual

Oceanic Imaging Consultants, Inc.

1144 10th Avenue • Suite 200
Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96816-2442
Phone 808.539.3706 • Fax 808.791.4075
Email [email protected] • Web www.oicinc.com
Copyright © 2014 Oceanic Imaging Consultants, Inc. - Printed in the United States of America (USA). All
rights reserved.

This manual and all other related documentation are protected by copyright and distributed under
licenses restricting its use, duplication, distribution, and recompilation. No part of this Manual or related
documentation covered by copyright herein may be reproduced in any form or by means -- graphic,
electronic, or mechanical -- including photocopying, recording, taping, or storage in an information
retrieval system, without the prior written authorization of Oceanic Imaging Consultants, Inc.

The products described in this manual may be protected by one or more U.S. or foreign patents, and
pending applications.

Oceanic Imaging Consultants, Inc. retains the right to make changes to the contents of this Manual at any
time, without notice. Oceanic Imaging Consultants, Inc. makes no warranty for the use of its products
and assumes no responsibility for any errors that may appear in this document, nor does it make a
commitment to update the information contained herein.

 Oceanic Imaging Consultants, Inc.

1144 10th Avenue • Suite 200
Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96816-2442
www.oicinc.com
Telephone: 808.539.3706
Fax: 808.539.3710
Email: [email protected]

TRADEMARKS
SAMM is a trademark of Oceanic Imaging Consultants, Inc., in the U.S.A. and other countries.
Third party trademarks are the property of their respective owners and should be treated as such.

WARNING AND DISCLAIMER

Every effort has been made to make this manual as complete and as accurate as possible, but no
warranty or fitness is implied. The information provided is on an “as is” basis. The authors and the
publisher shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or
damages arising from the information contained in this book or from the use of the CD or programs
accompanying it.

Rev. 2/2014
SAMM User Manual

Table of Contents
1 WELCOME TO SAMM ............................................................................................................... 1
2 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS AND SETUP................................................................................ 2
2.1 Sensor and Input Requirements ............................................................................................ 3
2.2 System Requirements........................................................................................................... 3
2.3 Install SAMM ........................................................................................................................ 4
2.4 Launch SAMM ...................................................................................................................... 5
2.5 Create or Open a Project ...................................................................................................... 5
3 THE GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE .................................................................................... 7
3.1 Mosaic Window..................................................................................................................... 7
3.2 Main Toolbar......................................................................................................................... 7
3.3 Mosaic Toolbar ..................................................................................................................... 8
3.4 View Toolbar......................................................................................................................... 8
3.5 Status Bar............................................................................................................................. 9
3.6 Swath List ........................................................................................................................... 10
3.7 Forward Look Window ........................................................................................................ 10
3.8 Live Info .............................................................................................................................. 11
3.9 Playback Controls ............................................................................................................... 11
3.10 Sonar Controls .................................................................................................................... 11
4 CONFIGURE SAMM.................................................................................................................12
4.1 Projected Coordinate System .............................................................................................. 14
4.2 Sensor Offsets .................................................................................................................... 14
4.3 Display Units....................................................................................................................... 15
4.4 File Size.............................................................................................................................. 16
4.5 Swath Colormap ................................................................................................................. 17
4.6 Rendering Method .............................................................................................................. 17
4.7 Reset Windows Button........................................................................................................ 18
4.8 Configuration Tutorial.......................................................................................................... 19
5 LOAD CHARTS ........................................................................................................................21
5.1 Basic vs. Advanced Interface .............................................................................................. 21
5.2 Raster vs. Vector File Types ............................................................................................... 21
5.3 Retrieve NOAA Electronic Navigational Charts.................................................................... 21
5.4 Elements of the Basic Chart Display Options Window ......................................................... 22
5.4.1 Basic Chart Display Popup Windows ......................................................... 23
5.4.2 Using the Basic Chart Loader .................................................................... 24
5.5 Elements of the Advanced Chart Display Options Window .................................................. 25
5.5.1 Buttons ...................................................................................................... 26
5.5.2 The Folders Tab ........................................................................................ 27
5.5.2.1 Populating the Charts Database .................................................. 27
5.5.3 The Chart Preview Tab .............................................................................. 28
5.5.4 The Charts Tab .......................................................................................... 29
5.5.4.1 Color Coding ............................................................................... 29
5.5.4.2 Manually Loaded vs. Folder Added Chart Behavior...................... 30
5.5.5 The Log Tab .............................................................................................. 31
5.6 Advanced Chart Loader Tutorial.......................................................................................... 31
5.7 Chart Customization Commands......................................................................................... 31
6 ADD FILES OR BEGIN ACQUISITION ..................................................................................33
6.1 Add Files in Playback or Post-Processing Mode.................................................................. 33
6.2 Interface with Metadata Sensors ......................................................................................... 35
6.3 Interface with a Forward-Looking Sonar .............................................................................. 36
6.3.1 Kongsberg Mesotech M3 ........................................................................... 36
6.3.2 Teledyne BlueView 2D Multibeam Imaging Sonar ...................................... 37

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6.3.3 Tritech Gemini 720i and 720id ................................................................... 38

6.3.3.1 Troubleshooting .......................................................................... 39
6.3.3.2 Sonar Controls ............................................................................ 40
7 DISPLAY AND PROCESSING SETTINGS............................................................................43
7.1 Adjust the Mosaic Window Display ...................................................................................... 43
7.2 Manage Swaths .................................................................................................................. 43
7.2.1 Swath Management and Playback Tutorial................................................. 44
7.3 Toggle Display Units ........................................................................................................... 45
7.3.1 Display Units Tutorial ................................................................................. 45
7.4 Apply Imagery Processing Options...................................................................................... 46
7.4.1 Swath Properties ....................................................................................... 46
7.4.2 Trimming Tutorial ....................................................................................... 48
7.4.3 Rendering Tutorial ..................................................................................... 48
8 WORK WITH CONTACTS .......................................................................................................50
8.1 Mark Contacts .................................................................................................................... 51
8.2 Elements of the Contacts Window....................................................................................... 51
8.2.1 Thumbnails List.......................................................................................... 52
8.2.2 Toolbar ...................................................................................................... 53
8.2.3 Contact Display.......................................................................................... 53
8.2.4 Properties Table ........................................................................................ 53
8.2.5 Staging Table ............................................................................................ 54
8.2.6 Contact Display Commands ....................................................................... 54
8.3 Attribute Contacts ............................................................................................................... 56
8.3.1 Classify Contacts ....................................................................................... 56
8.3.1.1 Add Comments ........................................................................... 56
8.3.1.2 Add Tags .................................................................................... 56
8.3.2 Measure Contacts ...................................................................................... 57
8.3.3 Calculate Contact Height ........................................................................... 57
8.3.4 Change Position ........................................................................................ 58
8.3.5 Rename Contacts ...................................................................................... 58
8.3.6 Contact Attribution Commands................................................................... 58
8.4 Group Contacts .................................................................................................................. 60
8.5 Export Contacts .................................................................................................................. 61
8.5.1 Send contacts to the staging table.............................................................. 61
8.5.2 Prep the Staging Table .............................................................................. 62
8.5.3 Export a Report ......................................................................................... 62
8.5.4 Delete Contacts ......................................................................................... 63
8.5.5 Contact Organization Commands .............................................................. 64
8.6 Contacts Tutorial................................................................................................................. 65
9 ADDITIONAL FEATURES .......................................................................................................67
9.1 Export Tool ......................................................................................................................... 67
9.1.1 File Type.................................................................................................... 67
9.1.2 Extent ........................................................................................................ 68
9.1.3 Resolution ................................................................................................. 68
9.1.4 Export Tutorial ........................................................................................... 68
10 END ACQUISITION AND CLOSE PROJECT .......................................................................69

Figures
Figure 1. Install Dongle Drivers ................................................................................................................ 4
Figure 2. SAMM Launch Options ............................................................................................................. 5
Figure 3. Select Project Window .............................................................................................................. 6

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Figure 4. Graphical User Interface ........................................................................................................... 7

Figure 5. Swath List ............................................................................................................................... 10
Figure 6. Forward Look Window ............................................................................................................ 10
Figure 7. Live Info.................................................................................................................................. 11
Figure 8. Playback Controls ................................................................................................................... 11
Figure 9. Sonar Controls........................................................................................................................ 11
Figure 10. Configuration Window ........................................................................................................... 13
Figure 11. Projection Subpanel.............................................................................................................. 14
Figure 12. Survey Setup Subpanel ........................................................................................................ 15
Figure 13. Display Subpanel .................................................................................................................. 15
Figure 14. Recording Subpanel ............................................................................................................. 16
Figure 15. Swath Colormap Panel ......................................................................................................... 17
Figure 16. Crash Detection Prompt ........................................................................................................ 18
Figure 17. Configuration Window for Demo Data ................................................................................... 20
Figure 18. Empty Basic Chart Display Options Window.......................................................................... 22
Figure 19. Select Overlay Type Error Message ...................................................................................... 23
Figure 20. ASCII Text Import Options .................................................................................................... 24
Figure 21. Charts Loaded in Basic Window, with Context Menu ............................................................. 24
Figure 22. Chart Display Options Window upon Launch......................................................................... 26
Figure 23. Add/Scan Charts Panel......................................................................................................... 27
Figure 24. Populated Chart Database .................................................................................................... 28
Figure 25. Charts Tab ............................................................................................................................ 29
Figure 26. Add Data Screen .................................................................................................................. 33
Figure 27. GUI in Playback Mode .......................................................................................................... 34
Figure 28. Navigation Interfacing ........................................................................................................... 36
Figure 29. M3 Interfacing ....................................................................................................................... 37
Figure 30. ProViewer Data Streaming Configuration .............................................................................. 38
Figure 31. BlueView Interfacing ............................................................................................................. 38
Figure 32. Gemini Interfacing ................................................................................................................. 39
Figure 33. Gemini Sonar Controls .......................................................................................................... 40
Figure 34. Status Bar Position Units ...................................................................................................... 45
Figure 35. Imagery Processing Options ................................................................................................. 46
Figure 36. Swath Properties Window ..................................................................................................... 47
Figure 37. Brightness and Gamma Rendering Effects ............................................................................ 49
Figure 38. Feathering Effect .................................................................................................................. 49
Figure 39. Contacts in Mosaic Window .................................................................................................. 51
Figure 40. Contacts ............................................................................................................................... 52
Figure 42. Assigning Tags ..................................................................................................................... 57
Figure 41. Grouped Contacts and Context Menu ................................................................................... 61
Figure 43. Filtering by Tag ..................................................................................................................... 62
Figure 44. Create Report Success Window............................................................................................ 63
Figure 45. Export Dialog ........................................................................................................................ 67

Tables
Table 1. System Requirements ................................................................................................................ 3
Table 2. Create or Open Project .............................................................................................................. 6
Table 3. Main Toolbar Icons .................................................................................................................... 8
Table 4. Mosaic Toolbar .......................................................................................................................... 8
Table 5. View Toolbar .............................................................................................................................. 8
Table 6. Status bar .................................................................................................................................. 9
Table 7. Parameters and Units .............................................................................................................. 16
Table 8. Change the Rendering Method ................................................................................................ 18

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Table 9. Configure Project ..................................................................................................................... 19

Table 10. Load and Display Charts ........................................................................................................ 31
Table 11. Chart Customization Commands ............................................................................................ 31
Table 12. Add Data................................................................................................................................ 34
Table 13. Mosaic Window Extent Commands ........................................................................................ 43
Table 14. Swath Management Commands ............................................................................................ 44
Table 15. Contacts Toolbar Icons .......................................................................................................... 53
Table 16. Contact Display Commands ................................................................................................... 54
Table 17. Contact Attribution Commands............................................................................................... 58
Table 18. Contact Organization Commands........................................................................................... 64

Acronyms and Abbreviations

cm centimeter
CPU central processing unit
ENC Electronic Navigational Chart
FLS forward-looking sonar
GIS geographic information system
GPU graphics processing unit
GUI graphical user interface
NMEA National Marine Electronics Association
NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
OIC Oceanic Imaging Consultants, Inc.
PPI plan position indicator
SAMM Stand Alone Mosaicking Module
TIFF Tagged-Image File Format
UTM Universal Transverse Mercator

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1 Welcome to SAMM
SAMM (Stand Alone Mosaicking Module) is Oceanic Imaging Consultants Inc.’s (OIC) software
program for real-time mosaicking of underwater imagery from forward-looking sonar (FLS).
SAMM automatically creates mosaics of your FLS data in real time over your co-registered
charts or imagery while logging the raw data for playback and post-processing. While you are
running your FLS or when you are back in the office, SAMM will show where you’ve been and
what you saw.

This manual documents SAMM’s features and functions. Information is presented in the order
that you need it for out-of-the-box playback and then data acquisition. It discusses each process
in the SAMM workflow and how to accomplish it. Selected sections conclude with a table of
commands relevant to the workflow process described in that section, which serves as a review
of the commands available in SAMM and how to execute them. Selected sections also include
an interactive tutorial for demonstrating some of the features. Test data are provided with the
software for use with the tutorial instructions. The sections are as follows:
• System Requirements and Setup
• The Graphical User Interface (GUI)
• Configure SAMM
• Load Charts
• Add Files or Begin Acquisition
• Display and Processing Settings
• Work with Contacts
• Additional Features
• End Acquisition and Close Project.

We use the following typographical rules throughout this manual for emphasis and clarity:

• Boldface indicates onscreen buttons, commands, fields, or icons from a toolbar, menu
or window.
• Courier New indicates user input or SAMM output. This includes all of the text in the
SAMM interface that your actions can change.
• Grey shading of text or columns in a table indicate specific tutorial instructions. Follow
these directions to check your work against the figures in this manual.
• Key names are written as they appear on the keyboard. Key combinations are indicated
with a plus sign between them, e.g., to press Alt+F, press Alt and F simultaneously.
• Click means to press the left mouse button. Double-click means to quickly press the left
mouse button twice. Right-click means to press the right mouse button.

For further assistance using the SAMM program, we encourage you to contact us.

Phone: 1+(808) 539-3706

Fax: 1+(808) 791-4075
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.oicinc.com

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2 System Requirements and Setup

This section describes the sensor and system requirements for computers hosting SAMM, and
how to install, launch, and create/open a project in the software.

2.1 Sensor and Input Requirements

SAMM is seamlessly compatible with Kongsberg Mesotech M3, Teledyne BlueView, and Tritech
Gemini 720i and 720id multibeam imaging sonar systems. SAMM requires absolute position
(longitude/latitude) input in GPS coordinates on the WGS 1984 datum and heading metadata
input. Your GPS receiver must be set to the WGS 1984 reference datum.

SAMM does not interface directly with the M3 and BlueView sonars. Rather, it interfaces with
the M3 software and ProViewer™, Teledyne's software designed to control all BlueView model
sonars. ProViewer Version 4.0.7410 or later is required (please contact your BlueView sales
representative for updates). SAMM interfaces directly with the Tritech Gemini 720 series sonars,
and requires that:
• the Gemini software not be run concurrently with SAMM; and
• navigation and heading sensors or GreenSea navigation are available for direct
interface. (At this time, the option to interface directly with the navigation and heading
sensors or GreenSea are not yet available for M3 and BlueView owners.)

2.2 System Requirements

SAMM is a Windows-based application. While SAMM will be compatible with Windows XP
through Windows 8.1 in the future, this version has only been thoroughly tested with Windows 7.
The minimum system requirements and recommended specifications are presented in Table 1.

Table 1. System Requirements

Component Minimum Recommended
Processor Dual core Quad core

RAM 2 GB 4 GB
Graphics CPU OpenGL 3.0+ compatible GPU and up-to-date
video driver
Display 1024x758 (32 bit color)
Disk Space Install is approximately 200MB, but more space is needed for logging data.
Please be aware that some systems may log close to 1 GB/min.
Drives CD-ROM drive for installation
Ports USB port for dongle; Gemini owners, Ethernet port for sonar connection and
serial port(s) if using NMEA inputs

The computer that is running SAMM does not require a dedicated graphics processing unit
(GPU), but a GPU does provide better performance. SAMM will automatically offload
computation-intensive tasks such as mosaicking and high-quality rendering to the GPU when
the GPU supports OpenGL 3.0+. In practice, most recent Intel central processing units (CPU)
come with an integrated GPU that meets this requirement, as well as most recent
mobile/desktop GPUs from AMD/NVIDIA. You must keep your video driver updated, however.

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To ensure that you have the most updated driver for your system, please go to the
manufacturer's Web site:

For AMD/ATI:
http://support.amd.com/en-us/download
For NVIDIA:
http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx
For Intel HD 3000/4000/5000 series:
https://downloadcenter.intel.com/

In order to run the SAMM software, an OIC-provided dongle must be attached to the
workstation, with up-to-date dongle drivers installed. Dongle drivers are present in the
installation media provided by OIC (see Section 2.3).

2.3 Install SAMM

SAMM installs by default to an OIC folder in the Program Files on the local drive. The
installation package comes with a dongle, which looks like a USB stick, and a disc including
three folders: demo_data, documentation, and install. The demo_data folder contains charts, a
demo project, and demo data files in the native SAMM format. The documentation folder
contains the playback tutorial, acquisition tutorial, and this user manual. The install folder
contains the installation file.

If you have a limited feature demonstration version, the demo_data folder may contain
additional folders for different sensor data. The sensor data files cover the same targets in our
home marina. The limited feature version only plays encrypted data files, does not need a
dongle to run, and cannot acquire data.

To install SAMM:
1. Put the disc in your disc drive and navigate to the install folder.
2. Double-click on SAMM32-0.1.0.DEV-XXX.msi (file name is not exact).
3. Follow the onscreen installation wizard instructions to complete the installation. On the
screen pictured in Figure 1, enable dongle driver installation by clicking the checkbox, as
shown in the figure.

Figure 1. Install Dongle Drivers

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4. Create a folder on your local (C:) drive named SAMM_DEMO, for continuity with OIC
training materials.
5. Copy the demo_data folder to the SAMM_DEMO folder. SAMM performs better when
data are saved locally.
6. Insert the OIC dongle into a USB port.

2.4 Launch SAMM

SAMM launches using standard Window commands, except for the dongle. The dongle must be
in a USB port or you will receive an error message. After securing the dongle, either:
• double-click on the SAMM desktop icon;
• from Windows Explorer, navigate to the install folder in the Program Files folder, and
double-click on the SAMM.exe; or
• click on the Start Windows icon, click on the Oceanic Imaging Consultants folder in All
Programs, then click on the program folder, and finally click on SAMM.

From the Start menu, you have the option to launch SAMM regularly or with hardware or
software rendering (Figure 2). SAMM auto detects the available hardware with a regular launch
to determine the rendering method. The hardware or software rendering launch options are
available to override this auto detect function. Please see Section 4.6 for more information
regarding the rendering method.

Figure 2. SAMM Launch Options

If SAMM has detected multiple crashes, it may present you with the option of switching to
software mode upon launch. You might find it beneficial to test if SAMM performs better in
software mode on your system. SAMM also presents you with the option of sending a crash
detection report if the software crashes. Please fill out this report if you would like our
developers to investigate the cause of your crash.

2.5 Create or Open a Project

A SAMM project is a working directory that stores files for the program such as contacts, cached
files, and processed swath and mosaic data. The project folder contains results obtained from
mosaicking the project data, including swath files and exported mosaic data (you may choose to
save exports elsewhere).

The project folder is stored in the workspace, or working directory. For continuity with OIC
training materials, we suggest that you use the SAMM_DEMO folder that you copied the data to
earlier. The default directory is <my documents>\samm_projects, which works just as well. If
you do not choose one of these locations, choose another location, but not one in which you
have installed SAMM executables (i,e., other than C:\Program Files\OIC).

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Upon launching OIC's SAMM, choose between creating a new project or opening an existing
project in the select project window (Figure 3).

Figure 3. Select Project Window

Follow the instructions in Table 2 to create a new project or open an existing project.

Table 2. Create or Open Project

To create a new project: To open an existing project: To open a recent existing
project:
1. Click Workspace to open 1. Click Open to open the Open 1. Click Recent.
the Select Folder window. 2. Click the project name.
window. 2. Navigate to the location SAMM's GUI displays.
2. Enter a name in the where the project is saved OR
New project field: Test. (C:\SAMM_DEMO 1. Enter the name of the
3. Change the workspace to \demo_data\Gemini_HawaiiK project in the New
C:\SAMM_DEMO ai). project field.
4. Click Create. SAMM's 3. Click the geomosaic.xml file 2. Click click to open.
GUI displays. to select it. SAMM's GUI displays.
4. Click Open. SAMM's GUI
displays.

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3 The Graphical User Interface

Before viewing and acquiring data, take a moment to familiarize yourself with the GUI (Figure
4). The SAMM interface has three toolbars, a mosaic window, a status bar, and ancillary
windows with controls. Some elements are specific to the acquisition, playback, or data
processing modes. Each element of the GUI is described in the section.

Main Toolbar Mosaic Toolbar

View Toolbar
Swath List Mosaic Window

Status Bar

Figure 4. Graphical User Interface

3.1 Mosaic Window

The multilayer interactive mosaic window shows a geocoded graphic of the FLS data. SAMM
layers processed sonar data over a background (navigational chart or aerial imagery) as raw
data are collected or loaded. Sections of the survey track that have been processed from the
raw data are referred to as swaths. All of the swaths from a survey are referred to as the
mosaic, or the processed dataset. The procedure of drawing the swaths in the mosaic window is
called mosaicking the swaths. SAMM only logs or records data when in acquisition mode, not in
playback mode, but mosaics swaths in both acquisition and playback mode.

In playback and acquisition mode, a green outlined polygon represents the vessel and section
of the plan position indicator (PPI) being mosaicked. The PPI is a pie-shaped flashlight view of
the sonar data, also found in the Forward Look window. Pink outlined crosshairs represent the
positions of the GPS antenna and the sonar head.
• To see the vessel, PPI, and nav and sonar head positions, zoom out by rolling your
mouse wheel toward you, clicking the Zoom out icon on the right side of the screen,
pressing the - key, or using a two finger scroll away from you on a laptop track pad.

3.2 Main Toolbar

The main toolbar is a collection of icons that open dialog boxes or directly execute commands
when clicked. The main toolbar icons are pictured and described in Table 3, in the order that
they appear from left to right on the toolbar.

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Table 3. Main Toolbar Icons
Icon Icon Name Function
Add data Open Add Data window

Close project Close the current project

Configuration Open Configuration window

Export Open Export Data window

Contacts Open Contacts window

Properties Open sonar head Properties window (only available in

playback/acquisition mode for Gemini)
Record toggle Begin or end raw data recording to file in acquisition mode
or mosaicking in playback mode
Manually start a Break raw data recording or mosaicking without pause
new swath

3.3 Mosaic Toolbar

The mosaic toolbar is a collection of icons that open dialog boxes or directly execute commands
in the mosaic window. The icons are pictured and described in Table 4, in the order that they
appear from left to right on the toolbar.

Table 4. Mosaic Toolbar

Icon Icon Name Function
Display the forward look Open the Forward Look window
window

Display options Drop down the swath display options window

Chart background Open the Chart Display Options dialog box

options
Measure tool Open the measure tool (not yet available)
(not yet available)

3.4 View Toolbar

The view toolbar is a collection of icons that affect the mosaic window extent and behavior when
clicked. The icons are pictured and described in Table 5, in the order that they appear from top
to bottom in the toolbar.
Table 5. View Toolbar
Icon Icon Name Function

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Icon Icon Name Function
Reset the view to the Reset the mosaic view to the entire survey
entire survey

Zoom in Zoom in to the center of the mosaic window

Zoom out Zoom out from the center of the mosaic window

Auto adjust the display Automatically center the mosaic view on the sensor
to follow the sensor

3.5 Status Bar

The status bar is located at the bottom of the main window. It displays operational mode and
sensor status; reports errors and the position of the mouse cursor in the mosaic window; and
hosts several buttons. The definition for each status bar element is supplied in Table 6, in the
order that they appear from left to right on the status bar.

Table 6. Status bar

Icon/Output Definition Mode
Sonar not connected / Data not Acquisition,
loaded for playback Playback and
Post-processing
Logging data and mosaicking swaths Acquisition

Not logging data/Not mosaicking Acquisition

swath
Playback mode active Playback

Sensors connected Acquisition

Sensors not connected Acquisition

An error occurred All

Button to review error reporting All
window
Button to cancel file All
acquisition/playback/loading
File acquisition/playback/loading All
progress
Position of cursor in mosaic window All
in GPS coordinates, and toggle

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Table 6. Status bar
Icon/Output Definition Mode
button
Position of cursor in mosaic window All
in UTM coordinates, and toggle
button

3.6 Swath List

The swath list appears by default to the left of the SAMM
mosaic window; it lists the swaths in the project (Figure 5).
As the survey or playback progresses, SAMM lists swaths
by name in this list and paints them in the mosaic window.
Section 7.2 describes how to use this list to manage swaths.
• To hide the Swath list, click the Swath list button.

Figure 5. Swath List

3.7 Forward Look Window

The Forward Look window shows the
PPI, or a flashlight view of the FLS data
in a pie-shaped window (Figure 6).
Numbers on the arc side of the PPI mark
the angle in degrees from the direction
the sonar head is pointed up to the sonar
head's field of view. The numbers on the
radial sides mark the range in meters
from the sonar head. Use this window to
mark targets, or contacts, in the PPI and
monitor your image quality.
• If you close the Forward Look
window, reopen it by clicking on
the Display the forward look
window icon in the mosaic
toolbar.

Figure 6. Forward Look Window

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3.8 Live Info

The Live info widget displays continuously updated values for
time, position, heading, and if available, depth, sound velocity,
and time synchronization (a real-time estimation of navigation
latency). These metadata appear on the left side of the GUI in
playback and acquisition mode (Figure 7). SAMM retrieves
these metadata feeds from the sonar software or
navigation/heading sources (depending on your survey setup).
Time synchronization is computed by SAMM.
Figure 7. Live Info
• To hide the metadata, click the Live info icon.

3.9 Playback Controls

Playback controls appear on the left side of the GUI in
playback mode. The playback controls include a start/pause
button (the Next button is unavailable at this time) and a
slider bar to speed up or slow down playback (Figure 8).
Playback of *.son (ProViewer) files includes a Sound
Velocity input box.
• To hide the controls, click the Playback controls
icon.
Figure 8. Playback Controls

3.10 Sonar Controls

Sonar controls appear on the left side of the GUI in
acquisition mode, if needed. For the M3 and
BlueView/ProViewer users, sonar controls are implemented
directly in the native software. Tritech Gemini requires no
native software, so SAMM offers range, gain, sound velocity
controls and an auto ping mode disabler. These controls do
affect the raw data.
• To hide the sonar controls, click the Sonar controls
icon.

Figure 9. Sonar Controls

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4 Configure SAMM
Before loading or acquiring data in a SAMM project, the user should set up the project in the
Configuration window, accessed from the Configuration icon on the main toolbar (Figure 10).
The user has the option to enter survey offsets and change the projected coordinate system,
units of measure, file breaking method, and/or rendering method. All of the options are saved as
application settings. This section describes each subpanel of the Configuration window, from
top to bottom, and provides a tutorial.

Figure 10. Configuration Window

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4.1 Projected Coordinate System

The projection for the mosaic display and exported mosaic images can be set in the Projection
subpanel of the Configuration window, before data are added to the project through acquisition,
playback, or file loading (Figure 11).

Figure 11. Projection Subpanel

SAMM recognizes navigation input as GPS coordinates on the WGS 1984 datum only. By
default, SAMM projects the GPS navigation input to Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM)
zones (WGS84 datum as well), performs calculations in UTM meters, and then projects the
background charts to the UTM zone to produce the aligned map.

UTM zones cover six degrees of longitude, run from 80° S to 80° N, are numbered from 1 to 60,
and are lettered N or S according to the northern or southern hemisphere. Zone numbering
starts at -180 degrees longitude (Midway Island, and the International Dateline) and increase to
the east. Hawai‘i, for example, is mostly in Zone 4, while the US East Coast is around Zone 18,
and the United Kingdom is Zone 30, at Greenwich.

The following projected coordinate systems are also supported in SAMM: Australian Coordinate
System, British National Grid, Japanese Coordinate System, Geodetic (lon/lat WGS 1984),
Mercator (Equator), New Zealand Coordinate System, and the U.S. State Plane Coordinate
System (NAD27 and NAD83). The UTM zones are also available on the NAD27 and NAD83
datums. If you would like to use a projection that is not supported, please contact OIC.

SAMM will project the sonar image and background charts on-the-fly to the coordinate system
set in the Configuration window. You may only set the projection before data are added or
acquisition begins. Please keep this in mind when creating projects. To manually change the
mosaic display projection from the default UTM WGS84:
1. Click the Configuration icon.
2. In the Projection subpanel, choose the coordinate system by clicking on one in the
Choose dropdown menu.
3. Click outside of the Choose menu to hide the menu.
4. Click Close.

As soon as data acquisition begins, the projection and UTM zone are locked for that project. If
you would like to use a different projection or zone, please create a new project.

4.2 Sensor Offsets

Unless the FLS is co-located with the navigation and heading sources, SAMM must
approximate the actual sensor position in order to produce the sonar image and mosaic. The
Survey setup subpanel of the Configuration window provides input fields for the vessel
dimensions and translational and rotational offsets associated with the sonar, navigation, and
heading sensors (Figure 12).

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Figure 12. Survey Setup Subpanel

The fields are defined as follows.

• Antenna offset: the distance of the GPS receiver antenna from a reference point in
common with the sonar head offset. The numbering convention is:
X = Port / Starboard (positive number = starboard, negative number = port).
Y = Fore / Aft (positive number = fore, negative number = aft).
Z = Height (positive number = above reference point, negative number = below
reference point).
• Sonar head offset: the distance of the sonar head from a reference point in common with
the antenna offset. The same numbering convention is used as for the antenna offset.
• Sonar heading offset: the sonar mount bias, i.e., the angular difference between the
centerline of the boat and the actual pointing direction of the sonar.
• Pitch and roll offsets: The pitch and roll offsets are not relevant to 2D imaging sonar, and
as such are not yet available.
• Compass bias: the heading source mount bias, i.e. the difference between the reported
pointing direction of the heading source and the actual pointing direction of the heading
source. If you have a magnetic compass and know the declination (the difference
between north and magnetic north) for the survey, add it to this bias field. (Automatic
magnetic declination based on lon/lat is not available at this time.)
• Vessel: the shape, width, and length of your vessel. These fields define how the vessel
outline is drawn in the mosaic window.

SAMM draws the vessel, GPS antenna and sonar head in the mosaic window in reference to
the center of the boat. Please note that the antenna and sonar head crosshairs will be
incorrectly placed in relation to the vessel outline if you choose to use the location of either the
GPS unit or the sonar head as the reference point. The mosaic is otherwise unaffected. The unit
of measure for the x, y, and z offsets must match the unit for distance and vertical distance in
the Display subpanel of the Configuration window (see Section 4.3).

4.3 Display Units

Display units may be changed from the Display subpanel of the Configuration window (Figure
13).

Figure 13. Display Subpanel

Table 7 shows the parameter, available units, and affected display area.

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Table 7. Parameters and Units
Value Units Affected Display Area
Easting/Northing Meters Status bar
Feet
Yards
Longitude/Latitude Degree minute seconds Live Info
Degree decimal minutes Status bar
Decimal degrees Contacts
Distance Meters Contacts
Feet Measure Tool (not yet available)
Yards Survey Setup subpanel of Configuration
window
Vertical Distance Meters Live Info
(depth/altitude) Feet Contacts
Yards
Fathoms
Speed over Meters per second (Not yet implemented)
ground Feet per second
Knots
Speed of sound Meters per second Live info
Feet per second
Temperature Degrees Celsius Properties
Degrees Fahrenheit
Kelvin

To change the units of measure:

1. Click the Configuration icon.
2. In the Display subpanel, click Change.
3. For any field, click the dropdown menu and click the desired unit.
4. Click outside of the Change menu to hide the menu.
5. Click Close.

4.4 File Size

SAMM provides three methods for creating a new file during data acquisition: manually, break
by duration, and break by file size (Figure 14).

Figure 14. Recording Subpanel

SAMM's default file break method is to break by file size when the size reaches 120 MB.
To change the file break method:
1. Click the Configuration icon.

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2. In the Recording subpanel, click the radio button corresponding to the desired method.
3. Click Close.

When breaking manually, the user must click the Manually start a new swath icon to break the
file. Raw data rates from modern sensors can easily exceed 100KB/sec. While workstations,
media, and operating systems can handle large file sizes, please consider your workflow,
memory, and file transfer limitations before deciding to break files manually. Please also
consider that data loss due to corruption is significantly more catastrophic for single large files
than single small files.

SAMM automatically names files by combining the time the file was created with an incremental
number.

4.5 Swath Colormap

The Swath colormap panel of the Configuration window enables the user to change the swath
display colors of active, inactive, and selected swaths (Figure 15). During processing, SAMM
displays imagery data in the mosaic window and PPI by matching pixel values to screen colors
using the colormap. Changing the colormap may highlight different objects in the subsea
environment.

Figure 15. Swath Colormap Panel

The active swath refers to the swath that SAMM is currently mosaicking. Inactive swaths are
those swaths that are completely mosaicked. Selected swaths (not yet available) are swaths
highlighted in the Swath list. SAMM has nine built-in colormaps: goldenrod, copper, reverse
gray, grayscale, bone, cool, green, hot, and jet (rainbow). Each colormap brings out different
features of the data.

To change the colormap for swaths:

1. Click the Configuration icon.
2. In the Swath colormap panel, click the dropdown menu for the swath type and click the
desired colormap.
3. Click Close.

4.6 Rendering Method

SAMM either uses software or hardware to render swaths and perform computations. Which
method used depends on your available hardware, which SAMM auto detects. SAMM uses
hardware rendering if you have a GPU, either integrated in the CPU or video card. SAMM's
mosaic window and PPI have higher quality images when using a GPU to render the sonar
data. If you do not have a GPU, SAMM uses software rendering. If SAMM detects multiple
crashes, it will automatically ask if you want to switch to software rendering upon launch (Figure
16).

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Figure 16. Crash Detection Prompt

Table 8 describes the three ways to change between software and hardware rendering, if you
desire to override SAMM's detected method.

Table 8. Change the Rendering Method

After launching SAMM: From launch: Upon the launch prompt:
1. Click the Configuration 1. Click on the Start 1. Click Yes or No to switch
icon in the main toolbar. Windows icon. to software rendering or
2. Check/uncheck the 2. In the All Programs menu, keep hardware rendering,
Hardware Acceleration click on the Oceanic respectively.
box. Imaging Consultants
3. Click Close. folder.
4. Click the Close icon to 3. In the SAMM program
close the project. folder, click on SAMM
5. Click the Close button on (Hardware Rendering) or
the project selector screen SAMM (Software
to close SAMM. Rendering).
6. Relaunch SAMM.
7. Reopen the project.

4.7 Reset Windows Button

SAMM remembers the last location of its windows between sessions. The Reset windows
button restores the windows to their defaults locations. After clicking the button, you must close
the project and then exit SAMM. Relaunch SAMM, and then the windows will be restored to
their default location. The Forward Look window opens in front of the mosaic window.

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4.8 Configuration Tutorial

Table 9 provides instructions for configuring a project using the demo data and for data
acquisition.
Table 9. Configure Project
To configure for playback mode with demo To configure for data acquisition:
data:
1. Click the Configuration icon. 1. Measure your sensor offsets and look up the
2. In the projection subpanel, leave the declination for your survey, if desired.
UTM zone set to Auto select. 2. Click the Configuration icon.
3. In the Display subpanel, click on 3. In the Projection subpanel, choose the desired
Change and visually confirm the projection for the mosaic display window.
Distance and Vertical distance 4. In the Display subpanel, set the distance and
(depth/altitude) fields are set to vertical distance units to the unit of your
Meters (m). measured antenna and sonar offsets. Click
4. In the Survey setup panel: Change and the click the desired units on the
• in the Antenna offset field, enter dropdown menus.
x:0.00 y: 0.00 z:0.00; 5. In the Survey Setup panel:
• in the Sonar head offset field, • in the Antenna offset field, enter the
enter x: 1.97 y:-3.35 z: -1.00; distance of the antenna from the reference
• leave the Hdg field set at 0.0; point in the unit set in the configuration
• leave the Compass bias field set window;
at 0.0; • in the Sonar head offset field, enter the
distance of the sonar head from the same
• do not change the boat shape; and
reference point using the same numbering
• in the Size field, enter Width: 3.0 convention;
and Length: 8.0. • in the Hdg field, enter the heading bias in
5. The Recording subpanel is not degrees;
applicable in playback mode. Do not • in the Compass bias field, enter the
change the setting. heading mount bias plus the declination of
6. In the Swath colormap panel, your survey location in degrees;
• leave the Active field set to • choose your vessel shape; and
Goldenrod;
• in the Size field, enter the length and width
• leave the Inactive field set to of the boat in the unit set in the
Goldenrod; and configuration window.
• leave the Selected field undefined. 6. In the Recording subpanel, choose the desired
7. Check that your Configuration window method by which to break raw data files.
matches Figure 17. 7. In the Swath colormap panel, choose the
desired colormap for active, inactive, and
selected swaths.

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Figure 17. Configuration Window for Demo Data

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5 Load Charts
SAMM's robust chart module enables you to load many different types of charts and geospatial
data files as background layers in the mosaic window. The Chart Display Options window
interfaces to the chart module, which is integrated with Global Mapper™ software.

This section describes the differences between the basic and advanced interface in the charts
module; the differences between raster and vector data formats; how to retrieve National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Electronic Navigational Charts® (ENCs); the
elements of the basic Chart Display Options window; the elements of the advanced Chart
Display Options window; a tutorial on how to load charts to the advanced interface; and
concludes with a table of commands for customizing the chart display.

5.1 Basic vs. Advanced Interface

The Chart Display Options window has a standard and advanced interface. In the basic
interface, charts are added by file to the project only. This manual loading method is also
available in the advanced interface. The chart module saves manually loaded files to the
project, not to the application. In the advanced interface, users have the additional capability to
add charts by folder to the charts database, which are saved to the application. Files added by
folder are then available in any SAMM project. Both interfaces have the option of displaying the
ArcGIS Web Mapping Service World Imagery basemap underneath locally added files. An
Internet connection must be available for this option.

Please note that at this time files loaded into a SAMM project display in the mosaic window after
data have been loaded or acquisition has begun.

5.2 Raster vs. Vector File Types

Geospatial data are stored as two types: raster or vector. Vector files have data stored in the
files as features, i.e. as points, lines, polygons, and/or text. These features resize in SAMM
when the mosaic window resolution is changed. Some common vector file types include NOAA
ENCs (S-57 format), National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Digital Nautical Charts® (VPF
format), and ESRI shapefiles. Raster files, including NOAA Raster Navigational Charts® (BSB
format) and GeoTIFFs, are image files with data stored as a grid of pixels. The text and other
features are static, regardless of the zoom level.

While Global Mapper supports rendering many different types of files, SAMM has only been
thoroughly tested with standard navigational chart types, shapefiles, and GeoTIFFs.

5.3 Retrieve NOAA Electronic Navigational Charts

If you do not have any nautical charts, follow these brief instructions to retrieve NOAA ENCs for
your state. Web sites do change, so we cannot guarantee that these instructions are current.
Skip to section 5.4 if you already have charts.
1. Go to the NOAA Office of Coast Survey Chart Downloader Web site
(http://www.charts.noaa.gov/?Disclaimer=noaa%21nos%40ocs%23mcd&Submit=Proce
ed+to+Chart+Downloader).
2. Next to the second picture, click on the ENCs link.
3. Click on your state in the ENCs by State table.

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4. Read the User’s Agreement. Click OK.
• The charts automatically download to your browser’s default download folder.
5. Open the folder containing the charts.
6. Right-click on the charts folder ([State initials]_ENCs.zip) and select Extract All.
7. Click Browse.
8. Navigate to a local disk or network drive to save the folder. Be sure to note the location
where you save the file so that you can find it in the next step. (This is the location of
your chart database that you will point to in SAMM in the next section.)
9. Click OK.
10. Click Extract.

NOAA updates charts nationwide weekly via a notice to mariners. If you are using your charts
for navigational purposes, make sure to get new charts or check for updates.

5.4 Elements of the Basic Chart Display Options Window

The basic chart display options window, launched by clicking the Chart background options
icon in the mosaic toolbar, hosts the chart database list and several buttons. Figure 18 shows
an empty chart database list in the basic window. The basic chart loader saves information on a
per-project basis.

Figure 18. Empty Basic Chart Display Options Window

The basic chart display options window has a Load chart... button to load charts to the mosaic
window, and provides the option to add the ArcGIS World Imagery basemap with an on/off
checkbox. The Advanced button changes the chart display to the advanced interface, the Set
as default button saves the current settings as the automatic chart display options to the
application, and the Close button closes the Chart Display Options window. The next time the
window is called, it will open to the last interface viewed. To load charts or other geospatial data
files to the chart database list:

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1. Click the Load chart... button.
2. In the Manual Load Chart window, navigate to the file location of your saved charts
(C:\SAMM_DEMO\demo_data\charts).
3. Click on a file to select it (you may select multiple files).
4. Click Open.

5.4.1 Basic Chart Display Popup Windows

The Manual Load Chart window enables you to select any file type present in the folder you are
viewing. This is because Global Mapper supports many different file formats. Geospatial data
are often stored in more than one file. If you select a support file, not the file that SAMM
renders, you will be prompted to select the file format, as shown in Figure 19. This window
appears whenever Global Mapper cannot tell what file type you have attempted to load.

Figure 19. Select Overlay Type Error Message

If this window appears, you likely picked the wrong file type from a family of files sharing the
same name, but with different file extensions. If you know you picked the correct file, then you
can pick the file type from the list and click OK. If you are not sure,
1. Click Cancel.
2. In the chart database list, right-click on the orange Loading... file and click Unload.
3. Click the Load chart... button again.
4. Select all files of the same name in the family and click Open. SAMM will load the
correct one, and try to load the incorrect ones.
5. You may get the Select Overlay Type window again for the support files. Click Cancel.
6. Give SAMM a moment to load the correct file (watch for one to turn green. The
description will match the correct file).
7. Select all of the orange Loading...files (these will be the incorrect files from the family),
right-click and click Unload.

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If you choose to load a text file, you will be presented with the Generic ASCII Text File Import
Options window (Figure 20).

Figure 20. ASCII Text Import Options

If you accidentally loaded the text file, click Cancel, then unload the orange Loading... file in the
chart database. If you intentionally loaded the text file, specify the format of the text file using
the fields in the window. SAMM will render two-dimensional point or point, line, and area files.

5.4.2 Using the Basic Chart Loader

Figure 21 shows the sample charts (ENC, RNC, air photo) loaded in the charts database.

Figure 21. Charts Loaded in Basic Window, with Context Menu

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The pin and green color coding are automatically displayed in the database table on any chart
added manually, whether in the basic or advanced interface. The pin means that the chart
cannot be unloaded by SAMM's auto load function, a feature of the advanced interface. Green
highlighting means that the chart is loaded in the mosaic display, whether through manual or
automatic loading.

You can control which charts display in the mosaic window from the context menu, accessed by
right-clicking on a file. The available commands follow.
• Unpin loaded charts: Allows the auto load function to recognize the chart.
• Disable charts: Prohibits rendering the chart, even if it is loaded.
• Unload: Removes the chart from the loaded list (and the basic interface).
• Hide: Hides the chart from the auto load function, but does not remove it from the
database.

The ArcGIS World Imagery provides high-resolution worldwide coverage. It displays under the
other layers. This service requires an Internet connection.
• To turn off the Web service, uncheck the box.

5.5 Elements of the Advanced Chart Display Options Window

The advanced Chart Display Options window is accessed by clicking the Advanced button in
the basic Chart Display Options window. From the advanced window, you can populate the
database by scanning folders for supported files; preview the files; and customize your chart
display by configuring the auto load function, manually adding files, pinning files in the
database, and turning the world imagery on and off. The folders added in the advanced
interface are preserved between SAMM projects, so a chart database can be built during first
time use and will be available in all SAMM projects.

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Chart Database
Table

Tabs

Buttons
Figure 22. Chart Display Options Window upon Launch

The advanced window includes four tabs: Charts, Folders, Chart Preview, and Log. The chart
database table, tab toggles, and buttons appear on every tab (Figure 22). The database table,
appearing as the top panel, lists the geospatial data files that are present in the chart database
as well as manually loaded charts. They are highlighted in every tab according to the legend
appearing on the Charts tab. Unlike the basic window, the advanced table includes columns for
the description, type, scale or area, and file path of each file. Files added by folder in the
advanced window do not appear in the basic interface.

From the table, you can sort the table by column and select, unpin, disable, unload, and hide
charts. The context menu features are the same as those available in the basic interface, except
that when charts are unloaded, they do not disappear from the list.
• To sort by column, click on the column name.
• To resize the columns, click and drag on the border.
• To access the context menu, right-click on a chart.

5.5.1 Buttons
• The Show options button shows or hides the advanced interface tab content.
• The Manual load... button opens the manual load window.
• The Basic button toggles back to the basic chart display options interface.
• The Set as default button saves the current chart auto loading options and world
imagery status as the default settings in the application.

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• The Close button closes the Chart Display Options window. The next time the window is
called, it will open to the last interface viewed.

5.5.2 The Folders Tab

The Folders tab enables you to populate the chart database from folders stored on your
hardware or network. Figure 23 shows the add/scan charts panel of the Folders tab.

Figure 23. Add/Scan Charts Panel

• The Add folder... button loads folders containing chart files to the add/scan charts
panel.
• The Remove folder button removes files/folders from the add/scan charts panel. All
charts located within the folder are removed from the database as well.
• The Scan for new charts button scans files from the listed folders and adds them to the
database (and populates the database table).

5.5.2.1 Populating the Charts Database

Adding a chart to the database makes it available for use in future projects without having to
manually add it. To do this:
1. Add folders: On the Folders tab, click the Add folder... button and navigate to the
location holding the folder. Click on the folder to select it and click Select Folder. Add as
many folders as you have containing relevant geospatial data. The scanning algorithm in
the next step will recursively search inside all subfolders. For simplicity, consider saving
all of your background layers in one main folder and add that folder to SAMM. Take care
to preserve the file structure of any acquired DNC folders, or the scanning algorithm may
not recognize the charts. When the scanner finds a folder containing a file named LHT, it
stops looking for compatible data because the LHT file means that it has found a DNC.
Data that are not DNC data stored inside a folder with a DNC LHT file will be lost.
2. Scan folders: After you have added your main charts folders and your root DNC folders,
select a folder in the list and click Scan for new charts. This process runs in the
background so you may continue working in SAMM, with the exception that adding
another folder will stop the scanner (rescan the folder if this happens). The scanning
function finds all files in the selected folder that are compatible for display in SAMM.

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Once SAMM has scanned the folders, the available files appear in the database table (Figure
24). The auto load function in the advanced interface selects charts from this database to
display.

Figure 24. Populated Chart Database

5.5.3 The Chart Preview Tab

The previewing charts tab of the advanced interface enables viewing any chart in the database.
This helps you get a feel for each type of chart file, if you are unfamiliar, and also shows you the
geographic extent and level of detail present in each file. To preview a chart, click on the chart
preview tab. The chart highlighted in the database shows in the viewing window. Click on a
chart to highlight it. Resize the chart preview panel with a click and drag on the panel border.

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5.5.4 The Charts Tab

The Charts tab is the default tab displayed (Figure 25).

Figure 25. Charts Tab

By default, the Auto load and Online world imagery checkboxes are checked. Uncheck them
to disable the features. The auto load feature loads the files from the chart database that most
closely match the resolution (raster) or coverage (vector) of the mosaic window extent into the
mosaic window. It constantly looks for charts that satisfy its criteria, set in the Load by
raster/vector and Load by chart type fields.
• The load by raster/vector feature loads charts up to the number entered per type of data
file (raster or vector). Click in the Raster or Vector fields and enter a number to change
the numbers.
• The load by chart type feature loads charts of the specific format up to the number per
format (VPF for DNC, S-57 for ENC, BSB for RNC, GeoTIFF, shapefile, etc.). Formats
are listed in the Type column as they are loaded to the chart database. The list doesn't
forget any file types loaded in all of SAMM's history, so it may present file types that are
not present in the database anymore. This happens when you unload the source folder.
Click in the types fields to enter the number per file type that the auto loader should load.
Toggle between the method that the auto load algorithm uses to load charts by clicking on the
buttons. The auto loader indicates which method is in use by highlighting the button in blue.

The display options and legend refer to the database table.

• The Show hidden charts box unhides files hidden from the table. It does not unhide
them from the auto load algorithm. To do this, you must right-click on the chart and click
Unhide.

5.5.4.1 Color Coding

SAMM color codes the charts in the database so that you can see what charts will be rendered
and what charts might be available for rendering. The legend is shown on the Charts tab, but
the color coding is used on all tabs of the advanced interface. Only the green, loaded charts
display in the basic interface.

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5.5.4.1.1 Green
Charts that are loaded are bright green and will be rendered, unless they are disabled. (You
may want to disable a chart, instead of unloading it, to prevent the autoloader from replacing it
in the display.) Green charts were either automatically loaded because they meet the auto
loader's criteria, or they were manually loaded through either
a. the Manual load... button, or
b. the Load command available on the right-click menu on a chart in the database.
Unless the database has been sorted, the green loaded charts always appear at the top of the
list, in the order of smallest vector first, then higher resolution rasters.

5.5.4.1.2 Orange
Orange highlighting is transient. These charts are loading, so the orange indicates that SAMM is
actively loading them to the mosaic window. They will turn green when they are loaded.

5.5.4.1.3 Yellow
The yellow charts follow; these are yellow because they
a. don't meet the auto-load criteria but intercept the mosaic window extent or
b. they were manually unloaded using the Unload command from the database context
menu.
The yellow charts are within the vicinity of the project, and are available to the autoloader if the
auto load settings are changed. The charts are ordered using the same convention as the green
ones, with vectors covering the smallest area first, then rasters of higher resolution. If the
database is sorted, they will reorder according to the sort but this does not affect the display.

5.5.4.1.4 Gray
Hidden charts are highlighted in grey, when they are shown. They are hidden from the auto
loader. You may toggle their display in the chart database on and off from the Show hidden
charts checkbox under Display options on the Charts tab.

5.5.4.2 Manually Loaded vs. Folder Added Chart Behavior

SAMM's chart loader determines how to treat a chart based on how it was loaded. You can
force the manually loaded or folder added behavior using the context menu commands.

SAMM's auto load algorithm either recognizes a chart in the database as suitable for loading, or
it doesn't. If it doesn't recognize the chart, that chart file has either been pinned, so it can be
rendered, or it is hidden, and it cannot be rendered. SAMM automatically pins every chart that
has been loaded manually, either in the basic interface or using the Manual load... button in the
advanced interface. You can also pin any chart by right-clicking on it in the database list and
clicking Pin Loaded Chart (if the chart is already loaded) or clicking Load (to load the chart,
which SAMM then automatically pins), or double-clicking on the chart.

You can hide any chart from the auto load algorithm by right-clicking on it and clicking Hide. It
disappears from the database list, but will display if you click the Show hidden charts box on
the Charts tab. To reveal these charts to the auto load algorithm, you must right-click on the
hidden chart and click Unhide. If you click Load on a hidden chart, it will load it and then pin it.
It will still be hidden from the algorithm, but will then be available for rendering.

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Charts added through a folder (and therefore added to the charts database) will not be available
in the basic interface, unless you manually pin them or the autoloader has loaded them. The
autoloader looks at these charts in order to find charts suitable for rendering.

Every loaded chart has the option to be disabled, or to prevent it from rendering without hiding
it. This keeps the chart in the loaded station, which means the autoloader counts it as a loaded
chart, but the chart does not render.

5.5.5 The Log Tab

The log tab reports errors in the chart module, including the database, scanner, and renderer.

5.6 Advanced Chart Loader Tutorial

There are three ways to display background content in the mosaic window using the advanced
interface. To load background layers in SAMM, follow the steps in Table 10.

Table 10. Load and Display Charts

To auto load files from folders: To load Web-hosted content: To load individual files:
1. Click the Chart 1. Click the Chart 1. Click the Chart
background options icon background options icon background options icon
in SAMM’s main toolbar. in SAMM’s main toolbar. in SAMM’s main toolbar.
2. Click the Advanced 2. Click the Advanced 2. Click the Advanced
button. button. button.
3. Click the Folders tab. 3. Stay on the Charts tab. 3. Stay on the Charts tab.
4. Click Add Folder. 4. Ensure the Online chart 4. Click the Manual load...
5. Navigate to and click the box is checked. button on the bottom of
folder containing charts 5. Click on the type of map or the window, next to the
and/or imagery you want to select Close button.
geocoded files. it. 5. Navigate to and click the
6. Click Select Folder. 6. Uncheck the Auto load chart (or other geocoded
7. Click Scan for new box (for the playback files).
charts. tutorial). 6. Click Open.
8. Click the Charts tab. 7. Click Close to exit the 7. Click Close to exit the
9. Ensure the Auto load box window. window.
is checked.
10. Click Close to exit the
window.

5.7 Chart Customization Commands

The features for customizing the chart display are collected in Table 11 with the methods
available to execute the commands.

Table 11. Chart Customization Commands

Command Action
Select chart • In the chart database table, click or right-click on the chart.
Select multiple adjacent • In the chart database table, click on the first chart, hold Shift,
charts and click on the last chart.

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Command Action
Select multiple non-adjacent • In the chart database table, click on the first chart, hold Ctrl,
charts and click on each subsequent chart.
Hide charts from chart • In the chart database table, right-click on the chart and click
database table Hide.
Show hidden charts in chart • In the display options and legend panel of the Charts tab,
database table click the Show hidden charts checkbox.
Unhide hidden charts • After showing the hidden chart, in the chart database table,
right-click on the charts and click Unhide.
Turn hide/unhide a chart from • In the chart database table, right-click on the chart and click
the auto loader while keeping Pin loaded chart/Unpin loaded chart.
the chart loaded
Unload manually loaded chart • In the chart database table, right-click on the chart and click
from the chart database table Unload.
Enable/Disable forced display • In the chart database table, check/uncheck the box next to
of a loaded chart in the the chart.
mosaic window • In the chart database table, right-click on the chart and click
on Disable charts or Enable charts.
Restrict the auto load feature • In the auto load panel of the Charts tab, ensure the Auto
to a certain number of load box is checked, then enter the number of raster charts
raster/vector charts in the Raster field and the number of vector charts in the
Vector field.
Restrict the auto load feature • In the auto load panel of the Charts tab, ensure the Auto
to a certain number of charts load box is checked, then click the Load by chart type
by chart type button and enter the number of each type of chart in the
chart type fields.
Turn the world imagery on/off • In the online chart panel of the Charts tab, ensure the Online
chart box is checked and click on the desired service
(imagery, topography, weather).
Disable the auto load function • In the auto load panel of the Charts tab, click the box next to
the Auto load field to uncheck it.
Set the current settings as • In the display options and legend panel of the Charts tab,
default click the Set as default button.
Preview the chart • In the chart database table of the Chart preview tab, click on
the chart.

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6 Add Files or Begin Acquisition

SAMM can mosaic data in acquisition, playback, or post-processing modes. To mosaic data
properly, SAMM accesses two classes of data: the sonar data itself and metadata. When in
playback or post-processing mode, SAMM gets these data from the raw data files. During
acquisition, however, SAMM receives these data either as they are broadcasted from the sonar
software, or directly from the sensors. At this time, M3 and BlueView owners must interface with
the sonar software, and Gemini owners must interface directly with the navigation/heading
sources and the sonar.

The first part of this section describes how to start a project in post-processing or playback
mode by adding data files to the project. The second part describes how to interface with the
metadata sources, and the third part provides instructions for interfacing with supported sonar
systems. The Add data screen (Figure 26), accessed by clicking the Add data icon, controls file
loading and interfacing with a sensor or sonar software program.

Figure 26. Add Data Screen

6.1 Add Files in Playback or Post-Processing Mode

Follow the instructions in Table 12 to load or playback data. The playback instructions are
written specifically for the demo data. Supported data formats for post-processing and playback
include M3 processed data files (*.imb), ProViewer (*.son), and OIC SAMM (*.msk). Practice
with SAMM in playback mode prior to conducting a survey in acquisition mode.

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Table 12. Add Data
To Add Data To Add Data
for Post-Processing Mode for Playback Mode

1. Click the Add data icon. 1. Click the Add data icon.
2. Click Load. 2. Click Playback.
3. Navigate to the directory containing the 3. Navigate to the directory containing the files
files. (C:\SAMM_DEMO\demo_data).
4. Click on a file, then press Ctrl+A to 4. Click on a file, then press Ctrl+A to select all
select all of them. of them.
5. Click Open. 5. Click Open.
6. Monitor file loading progress in the 6. Monitor file loading progress in the status bar
status bar on the bottom right. The on the bottom right.
swaths display when all files are loaded. 7. Click the Start button on the playback
controls. The survey playback begins.

Figure 27 shows SAMM’s GUI playing the sample data.

• Live info and playback controls appear in the Swath list’s place, and the list has shifted
to below the playback controls.
• Swath_0, referenced in the Swath list, is drawn behind the vessel in the mosaic window.
• World imagery is layered under the vessel and swaths in the mosaic window.
• The Add data icon has a small red x and the Record toggle icon is indented.
• The file loading progress is present in the status bar.

Figure 27. GUI in Playback Mode

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SAMM does not support adding distant data to the same project at this time. Please start a new
project for each new region of operation.

6.2 Interface with Metadata Sensors

SAMM can receive the metadata inputs of position, heading, and time (if available) through one
serial port for integrated systems, two serial ports, or GreenSea navigation. SAMM then
automatically detects the NMEA data protocols and selects the most accurate type available.
The following string types are listed in order of preference:
• Lon/Lat
o PTNL, GGK
o GGA
o RMC
o GLL
• Heading
o HDT
o (HDG, HDM, DPT, and RMC are not yet supported.)
• Time and Date
o ZDA (While not required for mosaicking, it will increase the accuracy of the
mosaic if available.)

Please set your navigation devices to the highest available data protocol in this list. Please note
that at this time SAMM receives data only in the National Marine Electronics Association
(NMEA) formats. If you have alternative data string formatting, please contact OIC.

SAMM assumes the received lon/lat are on the WGS 1984 datum. This is the most frequently
used datum for navigation systems because it is the datum used by the Global Positioning
System (GPS) satellite constellation. Confirm that your navigational system is set to the WGS
1984 datum.

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To configure the metadata input:
1. Click the Add Data icon.
2. Pick Gemini from the
dropdown menu.
(Navigation/heading
interfacing is not available for
other supported sonar
systems at this time.)
3. Click the checkbox next to
Enable serial port on the
COM port A tab or click the
checkbox next to GreenSea
navigation (Figure 28).
Enabling GreenSea navigation
disables the serial ports. If you
are using an integrated
position/heading system, you
need only configure Com port
A.
4. In the Port field, enter the port
number for the serial port into
which the sensor is plugged in Figure 28. Navigation Interfacing
the format COM#.
5. Ensure that the Baud, Data
bits, Parity, and Stop bits fields match the corresponding sensor settings.
6. If you are using two different ports for position and heading, repeat steps 3 through 5 on
the COM port B tab.

6.3 Interface with a Forward-Looking Sonar

This section describes how to connect SAMM with each brand of supported multibeam imaging
sonar.

6.3.1 Kongsberg Mesotech M3

SAMM interfaces with the M3 sonar by receiving a data and metadata string from the sonar
software directly. The M3 sonar software is capable of running in several application modes. If
you run the sonar in EIQ -Fine or EIQ- Ultrafine modes without remaining stationary, the
resulting mosaic may be distorted (see the M3 manual for reference).

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To interface with the M3 sonar:
1. Launch the M3 sonar software
and connect the sonar as usual.
2. Launch SAMM.
3. Click the Add data icon.
4. Pick M3 from the dropdown menu
(Figure 29).
5. If SAMM and the M3 software are
running on the same computer, do
not change the IP address from
LOCALHOST. If the sonar software
is running on a different computer
than SAMM, enter
192.168.1.233 (sonar software
host computer) in the IP address
field. Figure 29. M3 Interfacing
6. Do not change the port number
from 20001 unless you change it
in the sonar software. Then, enter
the matching port number in the
Port field.
7. Click the sonar button

( ).
8. Monitor the connection status in the status bar on the bottom left. Acquisition begins
automatically. SAMM flashes a warning if it is not recording. Click the Record toggle
icon to switch recording on and off.

6.3.2 Teledyne BlueView 2D Multibeam Imaging Sonar

Similar to M3 interfacing, SAMM interfaces with the BlueView family of 2D imaging sonar
systems by receiving a data and metadata string from the sonar software, ProViewer, directly.
ProViewer, however, must be configured to push data to SAMM. The following instructions and
screenshot were valid with ProViewer 4 at the time of this writing, but may not be up to date.
Please consult the ProViewer manual for the most accurate instructions.

To interface with ProViewer:

1. Launch ProViewer and connect the sonar as usual.
2. Configure ProViewer for streaming data to SAMM by clicking on the gears icon, clicking
on the Data Streaming tab, and clicking the checkbox next to RTheta Images (match
Figure 30). If you are running SAMM on a different computer than ProViewer, enter the
IP address in the field. Otherwise, enter the local IP address (192.168.1.3 if using the IP
address suggested in the ProViewer manual). Click Show Advanced Settings if the IP
address in unavailable.
3. Turn on the data broadcasting by clicking the AppEx broadcast icon in ProViewer.

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Figure 30. ProViewer Data Streaming Configuration

4. Launch SAMM.
5. Click the Add data icon.
6. Pick ProViewer from the dropdown
menu (Figure 31).
7. If SAMM and ProViewer are
running on the same computer, do
not change the IP address from
LOCALHOST. If ProViewer is
running on a different computer
than SAMM, enter 192.168.1.3
(sonar software host computer) in
the IP address field.
Do not change the port number
from 1152 unless you changed it in
the sonar software. Then, enter the
matching port number in the Port Figure 31. BlueView Interfacing
field. (The option to log data in
*.son format is not yet available.)
8. Click the sonar button

( ).
9. Monitor the connection status in the status bar on the bottom left. Acquisition begins
automatically. SAMM flashes a warning if it is not recording. Click the Record toggle
icon to switch recording on and off.

6.3.3 Tritech Gemini 720i and 720id

For the M3 and BlueView sonars, SAMM receives the sonar data and metadata through the
respective software packages. For the Tritech Gemini, SAMM interfaces directly with the sonar,
so no Gemini software need be run. Please exit the Gemini program before launching SAMM,

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and note that you must complete interfacing with the navigation sensors before beginning
acquisition of Gemini data.
To interface with the Gemini sonars:
1. Connect the sonar as usual.
2. Launch SAMM.
3. Click the Add data icon.
4. Pick Gemini from the dropdown
menu (Figure 32).
5. Configure the metadata input
(see section 6.2).
6. Click the sonar button

( ).
7. Monitor the connection status in
the status bar on the bottom left.
Acquisition begins automatically.
SAMM flashes a warning if it is
not recording. Click the Record
toggle icon to switch recording
on and off.
Figure 32. Gemini Interfacing

6.3.3.1 Troubleshooting
If you experience connection problems with your Tritech Gemini, try to solve or isolate the
connection problem using the following steps:
1. Close SAMM and launch the Gemini software. If the sonar software does not work,
consult the Gemini owner's manual to solve the connection issue. Please note that the
Gemini software and SAMM cannot run at the same time.
2. If you are still not receiving Gemini data in SAMM (but the Gemini software works), you
may try to:
• Disable all network adaptors other than the Ethernet port that the sonar is
connected to in the Windows Explorer Network and Sharing Center. In Windows
7, access this center through the Network and Internet page on your computer's
Control Panel. Then, click Change adapter settings in the left panel. Right-click
on the connections that are not connected to the sonar and click Disable.
• If the problem persists, you may try to disable your firewall or set a firewall
exception for the SAMM software.
3. If you are not receiving position/heading data:
• If using a serial port, please make sure your GPS/compass is outputting NMEA
Lon/Lat message and NMEA HDT messages for heading. Make sure that serial
communication settings in SAMM (baud rate, parity, stop bit) match your device(s).
• If you are using GreenSea navigation data, make sure to check the GreenSea
navigation box on the Add data screen. This disables the serial port input.
4. If the PPI does not look correct, try viewing the sonar properties by clicking the
Properties icon on the main toolbar and identifying the problem from the attributes.

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6.3.3.2 Sonar Controls
The Gemini sonar controls include range and gain slider bars, a checkbox for fixing the sound
velocity, and a checkbox for disabling the auto ping mode (Figure 33).

Figure 33. Gemini Sonar Controls

The range slider enables the user to specify the maximum range the sonar will scan (or ping
period). Longer ranges mean longer ping periods, since the ping must travel further. The gain
slider enables the user to control the relative sonar receive gain. Gemini users may experiment
with this setting according to their preference and water and target conditions; OIC has found
the 60-75% range a useful starting point in our test marina. Setting the gain too high introduces
artifacts into the sonar data (Figure 34).

Figure 34. Black banding artefacts with high gain and the same data with lower gain.

The current sensor sound velocity displays at sensor depth in the sonar controls box (in
meters/second). The sound velocity value can be overridden by checking the checkbox next to
the Fixed Sound Vel. box. This is typically performed when actual sound velocity sensor data
are not available; the Tritech Gemini is equipped with a sound velocity probe, so sensor data
should be used if accurate. Sound velocity generally varies from 1450 m/s for very cold waters
to 1550 m/s for very warm waters. In most circumstances you do not need to change the sound
velocity.

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Auto ping mode is the default mode and should be used most of the time. In this mode, the
sonar controls when it pings; it pings again when it has pushed the last processed ping to the
receiving software. If you disable auto ping mode, the sonar will wait to ping until it has received
the command to ping from SAMM. If the ping backlog gets too high, SAMM may discard some
raw ping records in an attempt to keep up. Auto ping mode is sufficient for most computer
systems and should be used unless SAMM is overwhelmed with ping packets. The Auto ping
mode is analogous to the Continuous mode in Tritech's Seanet Pro software, while disabling the
Auto ping mode is analogous to the Triggered mode.

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7 Display and Processing Settings

SAMM has many display options that enable you to control how your PPI and mosaic appear.
These settings control some elements of the GUI, like the mosaic window and the live info
feeds, or the data display. In the section, we describe how to:
• adjust the mosaic window display;
• manage swaths using the Swath list;
• control playback;
• toggle the display units; and
• adjust the post-processing rendering options.

7.1 Adjust the Mosaic Window Display

You can control the content and extent, or geographic boundaries, of the mosaic window. This
manual described how to load background content (charts and imagery) into the mosaic window
in Section 5. Table 13 lists all available commands to adjust the extent and behavior of this
window and how to execute the commands.

Table 13. Mosaic Window Extent Commands

Command Action
Zoom to the extent of the • In the view toolbar, click the Reset View to the Entire Survey
survey icon.

Zoom in to center • Roll the mouse wheel away from you.

• Press the - key.
• Use a two finger scroll toward you on a laptop track pad.
• In the view toolbar, click the Zoom in icon.
Zoom out from center • Roll the mouse wheel toward you.
• Press the Shift++ keys.
• Use a two finger scroll away from you.
• In the view toolbar, click the Zoom out icon.
Zoom to start of survey • Press the spacebar.
Reset the sensor to the • In the view toolbar, click the Auto adjust the display to follow
center the sensor icon.

Pan • Click anywhere in the mosaic window and drag your mouse.

You may also hide the PPI and vessel icon from the mosaic window. To do this:
1. In the mosaic toolbar, click the Display options icon.
2. Click the checkbox next to Show FLS overlay during Live/Playback.
3. Click outside of the dropdown window to hide the window.

7.2 Manage Swaths

SAMM lets you manage swath layers during acquisition, playback and in post-processing mode.
The Swath list controls layering in the mosaic window. The commands that fit into the swath

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management class are listed in Table 14, with directions for execution. Please keep in mind that
these commands do not affect the raw data in any way.

Table 14. Swath Management Commands

Command Action
Turn off in mosaic window • Click the box next to the name to uncheck
it.
Turn on in mosaic window • Click the box next to the name to check it.
Rename • Click the name to select it, then click it
again to activate keyboard input. Enter the
new name.
Bring forward/Send backward • Click the name to select it, then drag to
the desired layering position in the list.
Delete • Click the name to select it, then click the
Delete button.
• Right-click the name and click Delete.
Change properties • Click the name to select it, then click
Properties to open the Properties window
(not yet available)
Select multiple consecutive swaths • Click the first swath to select it, then hold
Shift and click the last swath.
Select multiple nonconsecutive swaths • Click the first swath to select it, then hold
Ctrl and click the other swaths.

7.2.1 Swath Management and Playback Tutorial

These steps demonstrate most of the swath management and playback features. Follow along
using the demo data in playback mode, checking the results on your screen against the bulleted
results. (Swath properties are unavailable at this time. Please adjust rendering options from the
Display options window.)
1. While continuing playback, in the Swath list, click the checkbox next to Swath_0.
• The swath turns off in the mosaic window.
2. Click the checkbox again.
• The swath shows in the mosaic window.
3. Using the playback controls, click Pause.
• The vessel, live info feed, and file loading progress freeze.
4. Click Play.
• The vessel starts moving again.
• The Live info feeds update.
5. Drag the Speed slider bar to the left.
• The vessel slows down.
6. Drag it to the right.
• The vessel speeds up.
7. Drag the speed back to the middle (x1).
• The vessel returns to the normal speed.
8. Wait until the vessel turns. Then, in the main toolbar, click the Manually start a new
swath button.
• Swath_1 appears in the Swaths toolbar above Swath_0.
9. Turn Swath_1 on and off. Pay attention to what it looks like.

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10. Click Swath_0 and then drag it over Swath_1.
• Swath_0 is layered over Swath_1.
11. Turn off Swath_0.
• Swath_1 is now visible.
12. In the main toolbar, click the Record icon.
• The boat moves without painting a swath underneath it.
• Text in the bottom left of the taskbar changes to Live.
13. Click Record again.
• SAMM paints the swath behind the vessel again.
• The text in the bottom left of the task bar changes back to Recording.
• Swath_2 appears in the Swath list.
14. Click on Swath_0 and then click Delete.
• The swath disappears from the mosaic display. This does not affect the raw data (the
files in the folder that you added), but the swath is gone from this particular project
unless you add the source data file again.
15. Click on Swath_2, then click on it again. Enter Second Swath.
• The name changes to Second Swath.

7.3 Toggle Display Units

Display units of parameters may be changed from the Configuration window. Section 4.3
described how to change the display units. This section provides a tutorial to supplement
Section 4.3.

7.3.1 Display Units Tutorial

This tutorial shows how to change position units from the Configuration window and toggle
position formats in the status bar.
1. Click the Configuration icon.
2. In the Display panel, click the Change button.
3. Select Degree minute second from the Longitude/Latitude dropdown box.
• The position fields in the Live Info feed change to degree minute seconds.
• The cursor position unit correspondingly changes in the bottom right of the status
bar.
4. Click the Reset to International Standard (IS) units button to reset the default settings.
5. Click the world icon to the far right of the status bar (Figure 34).
• The units toggle between GPS WGS 1984 Longitude and Latitude coordinates in the
format set from the Configuration window and Universal Transverse Mercator
coordinate meters.

Figure 35. Status Bar Position Units

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7.4 Apply Imagery Processing Options

SAMM's processing options are available in
acquisition and playback modes (the
processing features available in post-
processing mode are limited at this time). You
can process FLS data by clipping the FLS
image range, applying smoothing to the
navigation metadata, or adjusting the
rendering options. These features do not affect
the raw data in any way. The imagery
processing options are available from the
Display options icon in the mosaic toolbar
(Figure 35). The processing options are as
follows.
• Arc Coverage: Adjusting these values
trims the outer arc range of the FLS
imagery data. The minimum value will
begin clipping from the port side of the
FLS sector and the maximum value will
define the trim originating from the
starboard side. The values used here
are relative to the arc length of the
actual data (percentage).
• Range Coverage: Adjusting these
values clips the inner and outer
portions of the FLS imagery data. The Figure 36. Imagery Processing Options
minimum value clips from the sonar
head, and the maximum value clips from the outer edge of the data. The values used
here are relative to the range of the actual data (percentage).
• Contrast: The brightness and gamma rendering options change the intensity and
emphasis on light or dark tones in the imagery, respectively.
• Feathering: Adjusting the feathering value controls how the imagery is blended together
where FLS images overlap. A value of 0% will create a sharp boundary at the overlaps,
and increasingly higher values will cause more blending.

Contact display settings for the mosaic window are also found on the display panel. You may
turn the pin and the contact image on or off in the mosaic window.

7.4.1 Swath Properties

Additional imagery processing and display options are available from the Properties button on
the Swath list (Figure 36). To open the window, select swath(s) in the Swath list and then click
Properties. At this time, contrast and opacity are the only available features. Save the settings
by clicking OK before moving to the next swath.

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Figure 37. Swath Properties Window

The swath properties post-processing options can be applied to individual swaths in the post-
processing mode (unavailable at this time). This enables you to post-process your data without
having to play it back. Settings that are applied to the sonar data include the arc and range
coverage, contrast, and feathering options available during acquisition and playback, plus
opacity and tilt correction. The metadata post-processing features include noise and smoothing
filters.
• Opacity: Changing the opacity applies transparency to the swath.
• Tilt correction: (not yet implemented)
• Noise filter: (not yet implemented)
• Smoothing: (not yet implemented) The smoothing function averages the position or
heading values over the user-defined interval of two, five, ten, or twenty seconds.
The heading subpanel allows you to designate if the heading source is a compass or a
calculated course (difference not yet implemented).

7.4.2 Playback of *.son files

A sound velocity input box appears when SAMM plays back
*.son files from the ProViewer software (Figure 37). Entering the
value that is closer to the true speed of sound of water during
your survey will reduce the black banding artifact in the image.

Figure 38. Sound Velocity Control

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7.4.3 Trimming Tutorial
This example shows how to apply the trimming filters. The observable effect of each function
conveys more information than words, so make sure you are comfortable with how the default
view looks before proceeding.
1. Click the Display options icon in the mosaic toolbar.
2. In the Coverage panel, drag the arc slider bars individually to 20 and 80, or input these
values.
• The green sector outlines in the Forward Look and mosaic window narrow to 60%
of its range, losing 20% of the arc length from each edge.
• The swath width narrows by the same factor as SAMM draws it behind the vessel
in the mosaic window.
3. Return the arc slider bars to 0 and 100.
• The sector outline and swath width return to full coverage.
4. In the Coverage panel, drag the right range slider bar to 60.
• The sector outline shrinks to 60% of its full coverage in the Forward Look and
mosaic windows.
• The swath coverage shrinks correspondingly as SAMM draws it in the mosaic
window.
5. Drag the left range slider bar to 30.
• The sector outline retreats to 30% of its coverage from the center of the circle, and
the swath coverage responds.

7.4.4 Rendering Tutorial

This tutorial walks you through changing some of the rendering options available in SAMM. The
rendering options include changing the colormap, and the brightness, contrast, opacity, and
feathering values.
1. Click the Configuration icon in the main toolbar.
2. In the Swath colormap panel, select Reverse Gray from the Active dropdown menu .
• The active swath changes to a greyscale where objects are light and object shadows are
dark.
3. Change it back to Goldenrod and click Close.
4. Click the Display options icon in the mosaic toolbar.
5. Drag the Brightness slider bar to the left and right.
• Watch the intensity of the PPI and mosaic change for the entire active swath (Figure 37).
6. Drag the Gamma slider bar to the left and right.
• Changing the gamma value enhances light or dark tones (Figure 37).

Constant Gamma: 1.0

Brightness: 25% Brightness: 50% Brightness: 75%

Constant Brightness: 50%

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Gamma: 0.5 Gamma: 1.0 Gamma: 1.5

Figure 39. Brightness and Gamma Rendering Effects

7. Drag the Feathering slider bars to the left and right.

• Adjusting the horizontal feathering varies the sharpness of port and starboard
boundaries at overlapping swaths, while adjusting the vertical feathering affects the
clarity of the entire image (Figure 38).

100% Horizontal Feathering 100% Horizontal Feathering

Soft Edge Soft Image

0% Horizontal Feathering 0% Vertical Feathering

Sharp Edge Sharp Image

Figure 40. Feathering Effect

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8 Work with Contacts

One purpose of post-processing data is to enhance the imagery sufficiently to maximize
detection of contacts. Contacts are objects the user tags in the PPI, for which SAMM stores the
location, sonar image, and other properties. SAMM enables enlargement, enhancement,
measurement, and classification of these contacts in the Contacts window or database. In
addition, SAMM can export contact images and associated user-supplied information in an
*.html or *.xml report.

This section describes the contact analysis workflow and the elements of the Contacts window
as they are used in the process. It concludes with a brief tutorial to guide interaction with
SAMM's contact features. The general contact workflow is to:
1. Mark contacts
2. Adjust the contact display
3. Attribute, or provide data about, the contacts
4. Organize the contacts
5. Export a contact report

8.1 Mark Contacts

To build your contact database, you must first mark the contacts. You can mark the contacts
during acquisition or playback mode, to catch what you may have missed during the survey.
Marked contacts appear as small blue tacks on an image in the mosaic window, as shown in
Figure 39. The contact imagery is a square with a ten meter edge centered on the marked
position, from the swath of origin. The contact, marked position, and all other associated
properties are saved locally in the contact database, for later classification, organization, and
export.

To mark a contact in acquisition or playback mode:

1. Double-click on the object in the Forward Look
window PPI.
• A contact thumbnail is saved in the database.
• The thumbnail appears in the mosaic window.
• A small blue marker appears over the mosaic,
marking the recorded position of the contact.

To turn on/off the display of the blue tacks or the images:

1. Click the Display options icon
2. Click the box next to Mark position with a pin Figure 41. Contacts in Mosaic Window
or Render the image over the swaths.

8.2 Elements of the Contacts Window

Click the Contacts icon to open the contact database. Elements of the Contacts window are
labelled in Figure 40. This section introduces the elements of the contact window and covers the
Contacts window display options. How to use these elements in the contacts workflow will be
described in the following sections.

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Toolbar

Thumbnails
Contact Display Properties Table
List

Staging Table

Figure 42. Contacts

The Contacts window contains the contact thumbnails list, a toolbar, the contact display with
associated properties table, and the staging table. Contacts that you have marked are visible in
the contact thumbnails list (unless you have previously set a filter in the search bar), but the
contact display, properties table, and staging table do not open by default. Each element of the
Contacts window can be resized by hovering over the edge of the panel, and clicking and
dragging.

8.2.1 Thumbnails List

Thumbnails are smaller views of the contact in the thumbnails lists. To adjust the size of the
thumbnails, click on the slider bar and drag to the desired size. From the list, you classify
contacts and control the display of contacts in other elements of the Contacts window. The
context menu includes commands to rename, edit comments, assign new tags, filter by tag, add
contacts to the staging table, or delete contacts. Right-click on a thumbnail to access this menu.

When you click or right-click on a thumbnail, this selects the contact and displays it in the
contact display. To control which contacts display:
• Select multiple adjacent contacts by clicking on the first thumbnail, holding Shift and
clicking on the last thumbnail.
• Select multiple non-adjacent contacts by clicking on a thumbnail, then holding Ctrl and
clicking on each thumbnail.
• Select all contacts by clicking on a thumbnail, then pressing Ctrl+A.
• Remove all contacts from the contact display by clicking in the gray space in the
thumbnail list.

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These standard Windows selection commands also apply to selecting multiple contacts for
context menu options.

8.2.2 Toolbar
The icons in the Contacts toolbar are pictured and described in Table 15. To hide the toolbar,
click the small Left arrow at the extreme left of the toolbar.

Table 15. Contacts Toolbar Icons

Icon Icon Name Function
Import contacts Import contacts from another SAMM project to the current
project

Zoom cursor Suppress selection mouse commands and activate

navigation commands
Mark the Internav contact Change the recorded position of the contact
center
Contact width Measure the width of the contact and save it as an attribute
Contact length Measure the length and save it as an attribute
Shadow length Measure the shadow length and save it as an attribute
Tiles Show only selected thumbnails in the display
Properties Show or hide the properties table for the selected contacts
Staging Table Show or hide the staging table

8.2.3 Contact Display

The contact display shows tiles, or a larger view of selected thumbnails. In the display, you can
use the measuring tools to attribute the contact dimensions, and mark the contact center. You
can also access the same commands on the display context menu as in the thumbnail context
menu and the toolbar.

You may use your keyboard or mouse to navigate within the contact display. To zoom in on an
area, either click the Pan/Zoom icon in the toolbar or right-click on the tile and click Pan/Zoom.
Then, hold Shift and click and drag a box around the area. To zoom in/out from the tile center,
either:
• roll the mouse wheel away from/toward you;
• press the -/Shift++ keys; or
• on a laptop track pad, use a two finger scroll toward/away from you.

To zoom out to show the full tile, press the space bar. You may also use the Pan/Zoom tool to
pan, then hold Ctrl and click and drag in the contact display. The areal pan and zoom methods
work without activating the Pan/Zoom tool from the icon or the context menu.

8.2.4 Properties Table

The properties table shows the attributes of each selected contact in a report view, adjacent to
the contact display. The Name, Comment, Altitude, and Depth fields are directly fillable in the
properties table. Position, Size, Sensor Position, Sensor Heading, and Range are defined by
the contact mark. Position and Range automatically update if the Mark the Internav contact

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center tool is used to move the recorded contact. The Tag field is defined from the contact
thumbnail list, and the Width, Length, and Shadow Length fields are filled when the user
executes the measure tools. The Calculated Height field auto fills when the user enters an
altitude.

To show/hide the properties table, click the Properties/Tiles icon or right-click on a tile and click
Properties/Tiles.

8.2.5 Staging Table

The staging table shows a table view of the properties of each contact sent to it. The contact
properties that are shown in the Properties table in report view, from top to bottom, appear by
default from left to right as columns in the staging table. Use the staging table to export contacts
as a report.

To show or hide the staging table, click the Staging table icon. Adding contacts to the staging
table also automatically displays the staging table. To do this, right-click on a tile or selected
thumbnails and click Add contact(s) to staging table.

A small toolbar hosts icons for the staging table commands. These commands are also found
on the staging table context menu. They are:
• remove contact(s) from the staging table;
• show only contacts selected in the staging table in the thumbnail list and contact display;
and
• export contacts in a report.
To hide the toolbar, click the small Up arrow at the top of the toolbar.

Format the staging table by adjusting column width, hiding/unhiding columns, sorting, and
rearranging column order.
• To resize columns, hover over the column break line, click, and drag.
• To hide/unhide columns, right-click on the column name row and click the checkbox next
to the field name.
• To sort a column, click on the column name.
• To rearrange the column order, click on a column name and drag it to the desired
location.

8.2.6 Contact Display Commands

For quick reference, the display options available in the Contacts utility are listed in Table 16.
The methods available to execute the commands are bulleted to clarify when multiple execution
methods exist.
Table 16. Contact Display Commands
Contacts Window Command Action
Element
Resize elements • Hover over the element edges and click and
drag.
Show/hide the • In the toolbar, click the Properties/Tiles icon
All
properties table • In the contact display, right-click on the
contact and click Properties/Tiles.
Show/hide the staging • In the toolbar, click the Staging table icon
table

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Contacts Window Command Action
Element
Show/hide toolbars • Click the arrow icon at the left or top of the
toolbar.
Add contacts to • In the thumbnail list, click on the thumbnail to
contact display select it.
Add all contacts to the • In the thumbnail list, click on any thumbnail
contact display and press Ctrl+A.
Add multiple • In the thumbnail list, click on the first
Contact Display nonadjacent contacts thumbnail, hold Ctrl and click on each
to the contact display thumbnail.
Add multiple adjacent • In the thumbnail list, click on the first
contacts to the contact thumbnail, hold Shift and click on the last
display thumbnail.
Remove all contacts • Click in the grey space of the thumbnail list.
from contact display
Resize thumbnails • In the thumbnail list, click on the slider bar
Thumbnail List
and drag.
Show only those • In the staging table, select the contacts to
contacts in the staging show and click the Show contact(s) icon in
Thumbnail List and table in the thumbnail the toolbar.
Contact Display list and contact display • In the staging table, select the contacts to
show, right-click and click Show contact(s).
Zoom in on area • In the toolbar, click the Pan/Zoom icon, hold
Shift, and in the contact display click and
drag a box around the area.
• In the contact viewer, right-click on the tile
and click Pan/Zoom, hold Shift, and click
and drag a box around the area.
Zoom in to center • In the contact display, roll the mouse wheel
away from you.
• In the contact display, press the - key.
• In the contact display, use a two finger scroll
Contact Display toward you on a laptop track pad.
Zoom out from center • Roll the mouse wheel toward you.
• Press the Shift++ keys.
• Use a two finger scroll away from you.
Zoom to contact • In the contact display when zoomed in,
press the spacebar.
Pan • In the toolbar, click the Pan/Zoom icon, hold
Ctrl, and in the contact display click and
drag.
• In the contact display, hold Ctrl and click and
drag.

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Contacts Window Command Action
Element
Add contacts to the • In the contact display, right-click on the tile
staging table and click Add contact(s) to staging table.
• In the thumbnail list, right-click on the
selected thumbnails and click Add
contact(s) to staging table.
Staging Table Resize columns • Hover over the column break line, click, and
drag.
Hide/Unhide Columns • Right-click on the column name row and
click the checkbox next to the field name.
Rearrange the column • Click on a column name and drag it to the
order desired location.

8.3 Attribute Contacts

SAMM enables you to make complete contact reports through classification and measurement
of the contacts. These processes are used to define contact properties, so that data about the
contacts may be transmitted with the images through your workflow.

8.3.1 Classify Contacts

The first step of attributing your contacts is to classify them with comments and tags. These are
user-defined properties that give context to the image and enable sorting, filtering, and
identification of each contact for later review and export. The comment field is a text field for
entering any text description that suits your purpose. Tags are labels used to filter and sort your
contact database.

8.3.1.1 Add Comments

Add a comment two different ways:
• In the thumbnail list, right-click on a thumbnail and click Edit comments. Enter the
comment and press Enter/click Okay.
• In the properties table, click in the Comments field. Enter the comment and press Enter.

8.3.1.2 Add Tags

Before adding tags, think about how you would like to be able to sort your data. Your
classification system is only as useful as you make it. For example, you may make tags for
unknown, wreck, cinder block, diver, ordnance, etc. to be able to filter and sort contacts by the
type of object they represent. Or, define tags using location identifiers or swath number if you
have a need to sort by location. If the purpose of your survey was to identify and locate
disposed ordnance, for example, you would obviously define tags for as many different
ordnance types as are recognizable.

In the interest of good record keeping, you may want to define tags that will be applicable to
future surveys. Once tags are defined, you can filter by the tag and send only the contacts with
a certain tag to the staging table for reporting. You may assign more than one tag to contacts.

To get started tagging, define the tags in the database. This can be done with or without
concurrently assigning the newly defined tag to a selected contact.

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• In the thumbnail list, click the Search drop down menu and click Create Tag. Enter the
tag name and click OK. This adds the tag to the database.
• Right-click on a thumbnail/tile, hover over Tags and click Assign new tag. Enter the tag
name and click OK. This adds the new tag to the contact and the database.
Then, apply the tags to relevant contacts. As you may have gathered, this can be performed
with or without concurrently defining a tag in the database.
• Right-click on a thumbnail/tile, hover over Tags and click Assign new tag. Enter the tag
name and click OK. This adds the new tag to the contact and defines it in the database.
• Right-click on a thumbnail/contact, hover over Tags and click the checkbox next to any
tags to check it (Figure 41). Click anywhere outside the context menu to hide the menu.

Figure 43. Assigning Tags

8.3.2 Measure Contacts

Three measure tools, accessed from the toolbar, can be used to precisely measure targets in
the SAMM contact utility. The measure tool transforms the cursor into a line that you draw over
the contact. The three measuring lines have distinct colors to symbolize the width (blue), length
(red), and shadow length (green). Match these colors to the object dimensions consistently to
ensure the accuracy of your contact measurement properties.

To change the cursor behavior to measuring, either click on one of the measuring icons in the
toolbar or right-click on a tile and click one of the measure commands. To measure the contact,
click on one edge of the contact then drag the mouse to the opposite edge. SAMM draws a line
as you drag the mouse. When measuring shadow length, make sure that you click on the
beginning of the shadow, closest to the object, and drag the mouse in the direction the shadow
is cast. The distances are displayed in the properties table.

8.3.3 Calculate Contact Height

In order to calculate the contact height, the sensor altitude at the contact's position and shadow
length must be known. To calculate the height, enter the altitude in the Altitude field of the
properties table in the unit shown and measure the shadow length. SAMM uses these values to
calculate the height. It is displayed in the Height field.

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8.3.4 Change Position

SAMM fills in the lon/lat position of the contact using the initial contact mark. You may edit this
position by using the Mark the Internav contact center tool. To change the cursor behavior to
marking the contact center, either click the Mark the Internav contact center icon or right-click
on the tile and click Center. Then, click the new center on the contact display. The newly
marked position updates in the properties table.

8.3.5 Rename Contacts

Naming contacts provides another way to sort the contacts, because the naming column may
be sorted alphabetically in the contact staging table. By default, SAMM names each contact
Contact_X where X is the sequence in which contacts were created. To rename the contact,
• in the thumbnail list, right-click on a thumbnail and click Rename. Enter the name and
press Enter; or
• in the properties table, click in the Name field. Enter the name and press Enter.

8.3.6 Contact Attribution Commands

Table 17 provides a quick reference of the attribution commands and methods of executing the
commands. The methods available to execute the commands are bulleted to clarify when
multiple execution methods exist.

Table 17. Contact Attribution Commands

Command Action
Rename • In the thumbnail list, right-click on a thumbnail
and click Rename. Enter the name and press
Enter.
• In the properties table, click in the Name field.
Enter the name and press Enter.
Add comment • In the thumbnail list, right-click on a thumbnail
and click Edit comments. Enter the comment
and press Enter/click Okay.
• In the properties table, click in the Comments
field. Enter the comment and press Enter.
Define tag in database • In the thumbnail list, click the Search drop down
menu and click Create Tag. Enter the tag name
and click OK.
• Also in the thumbnail list, right-click on a
thumbnail, hover over Tags and click Assign
new tag. Enter the tag name and click OK. This
adds the new tag to the contact and the
database.

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Command Action
Assign tag to contact • In the thumbnail list or the contact display, right-
click on a thumbnail/contact, hover over Tags
and click Assign new tag. Enter the tag name
and click OK. This adds the new tag to the
contact and the database.
• Also in the thumbnail list or the contact display,
right-click on a thumbnail/contact, hover over
Tags and click the checkbox next to any tags to
check it. Click anywhere outside the context
menu to hide the menu.
Remove tag from • In the thumbnail list or contact display, right-click
contact on a thumbnail/contact, hover over Tags and
click the checkbox next to any tags to uncheck it.
Click anywhere outside the context menu to hide
the menu.
Mark the Internav • In the toolbar, click the Mark the Internav
contact center contact center icon. Click the new center on the
contact display.
• In the contact display, right-click and click on
Center. Click the new center on the contact
display.
Measure width • In the toolbar, click on the Measure Width icon.
Click on the extreme edge of the widest part of
the object in the contact display, drag the mouse
to the opposite edge, and release the mouse
button.
• In the contact display, right-click on the contact in
the display and click Width. Click on the extreme
edge of the widest part of the object in the
contact display, drag the mouse to the opposite
edge, and release the mouse button.
Measure length • In the toolbar, click on the Measure Length icon.
Click on the extreme edge of the object in the
length dimension, drag the mouse to the opposite
edge, and release the mouse button.
• In the contact display, right-click on the contact in
the display and click Length. Click on the
extreme edge of the object in the length
dimension, drag the mouse to the opposite edge,
and release the mouse button.

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Command Action
Measure shadow length • In the toolbar, click on the Measure Shadow
Length icon. In the contact display, click on the
beginning of the shadow, closest to the object,
and drag the mouse in the direction the shadow
is cast. Release the mouse button at the far edge
of the shadow.
• In the contact display, right-click on the contact
and click Shadow length. Click on the beginning
of the shadow, closest to the object, and drag the
mouse in the direction the shadow is cast.
Release the mouse button at the far edge of the
shadow.
Calculate Height • In the Properties table, enter the altitude of the
sensor at the approximate time and position that
the contact was marked in the unit shown in the
Altitude field.

8.4 Group Contacts

Your survey will most likely generate multiple images of the same object. You may have noticed
this while you were attributing your contacts. Using SAMM's grouping feature on multiple
images of the same object defines a relationship between contacts in the database. To group
contacts, click on a thumbnail in the thumbnail list and drag it over another thumbnail, then
release the mouse button. The receiving contact becomes the group reference. No observations
are deleted; the other grouped contacts are kept.

The clearest, most accurate contact should be used as the group reference, because it is the
contact that holds the attributes for the group. The properties of the other grouped contacts are
suppressed in the staging table. To change the group reference, right-click on the tile in the
contact display and click Set as group reference (Figure 42). You may ungroup contacts by
right-clicking on the thumbnail or contact tile and clicking Ungroup contacts.

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Figure 44. Grouped Contacts and Context Menu

After you have removed redundancies in your dataset by grouping unique objects, you are
ready to export the contacts.

8.5 Export Contacts

The staging table, as the name implies, controls which contacts are exported to the *.html and
*.xml reports.

8.5.1 Send contacts to the staging table

To efficiently add contacts to the staging table, limit the thumbnail list by searching and filtering,
then batch select the contacts. Searching the thumbnail list hides all of the contacts that do not
match the search terms. To search by name, enter the name in the Search field. You may also
search the tags list for tag names. To do this, either click on the Search dropdown menu in the
thumbnail list, or right-click on a thumbnail/tile and hover over Tags. Then, enter the name of
the tag in the field. Clear the search using the Clear search button.

You may also filter by tag to limit the thumbnails shown in the list. To do this, access the tags
window in the same way by either clicking on the Search dropdown menu in the thumbnail list,
or right-clicking on a thumbnail/tile and hovering over Tags. Then, click the checkbox next to the
tag whose thumbnails you want to keep in the thumbnail list. Or, enter tags:// and then the
name of the tag in the search bar (Figure 43).

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Figure 45. Filtering by Tag

To send contacts the staging table, right-click on the selected thumbnails/tiles and click Add
contact(s) to staging table. You can select all, multiple adjacent, or multiple non adjacent
thumbnails in the same way as viewing them in the contact display (Section 8.2). The staging
table will appear at the bottom of the Contacts interface, with contact and properties displayed in
a tabular form.

8.5.2 Prep the Staging Table

At this time, most of the formatting functions in the staging table are for display purposes only.
The order of the contacts in the table, however, is preserved in the report. Sort the table by
clicking on the column name. Text fields sort alphabetically while numeric fields sort
sequentially, in ascending or descending order. A small up arrow signifies ascending, while a
small down arrow signifies descending.

To remove contact(s) from the staging table, select them in the table and either click the
Remove contact(s) from staging table icon or click this command on the right-click context
menu. You may also choose to limit the display of thumbnails and tiles to those present in the
staging table; use the Show contact(s) icon or context menu command to perform this action
for contacts selected in the staging table. This assists in building your report because it shows
you which images will be exported.

8.5.3 Export a Report

You can export reports in *.html and *.xml format from the staging table. To build the report:
1. In the staging table, sort the table to set the report order.
2. Click the Export report icon ( ).
3. In the Create Report window, navigate to the file location to save your report. The default
file location is the project folder.
4. Enter a file name.
5. Click Save.

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When you click Save, a popup window greets you with a successful report notification (Figure
44). Accept the message by clicking OK or view the report in a browser by clicking Open.

Figure 46. Create Report Success Window

The report export function creates a folder and two files in the project folder: one *.html file, one
*.xml file of the same name, and one folder of the same name with "_images" appended to the
name. This folder contains the *.png tiles of each contact. The *.html file contains each contact
tile with its attributes displayed on the right in report form. At this time, the report includes the
Name, Time, Lon/Lat, Easting/Northing, Range, Heading, Sonar Altitude, Sonar Depth, Image
Resolution, Measured Width, Measured Length, Measured Shadow, Height from Shadow, and
Comment fields.

8.5.4 Delete Contacts

When reviewing the contacts, you may find contacts that are irrelevant to your purpose. If you
desire to delete the contacts, select the contact(s), right-click on the selected thumbnails/tiles
and click Delete contact(s). Deletion is permanent. As an alternative to deletion, you may
choose to export these contacts before deleting them from the project so that they are
preserved in report form. A less efficient way of recovering deleted contacts is to remark them in
playback mode.

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8.5.5 Contact Organization Commands

Table 18 lists the organization commands and the methods to execute them as a quick
reference. The multiple methods available to execute the commands are bulleted.

Table 18. Contact Organization Commands

Command Action
Group contacts • In the thumbnail list, click and drag the thumbnail
over the group reference contact.
Ungroup contacts • In the thumbnail list or contact display, right-click
on the thumbnail/contact and click Ungroup
contact(s).
Set group reference • In the contact display, right-click on the
thumbnail/contact and click Set as group
reference.
Search by name • In the thumbnail list, enter the search term in the
Search contacts field.
Search by tag • In the thumbnail list, click on the Search
dropdown menu, then enter the tag name in the
field.
• In the thumbnail list or contact display, right-click
on a thumbnail/contact, hover over Tags and
enter the tag name in the field.
Filter contacts by tag • In the thumbnail list, click the Search dropdown
name menu and click the checkbox next to the tag.
• In the thumbnail list or contact display, right-click
on a thumbnail/contact, hover over Tags and
click the checkbox next to the tag.
Add contacts to staging • In the thumbnail list, select contacts (single,
table multiple adjacent, multiple non adjacent, all) then
in the thumbnail list, right-click on the
thumbnail/tile and click Add contact(s) to
staging table.
• In the contact display, right-click on a tile and
click Add contact(s) to staging table.
Sort by column • In the staging table, click on the column name.
Remove contact(s) from • In the staging table, click on the contact(s) to
staging table select, then click the Remove contact(s) from
staging table icon
• In the staging table, click the contact(s) to select,
then right-click and click Remove contact(s)
from staging table.
Show only those • In the staging table, select the contacts to show
contacts in the staging and click the Show contact(s) icon in the
table in the thumbnail toolbar.
list and contact display • In the staging table, select the contacts to show,
right-click and click Show contact(s).

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Command Action
Delete contact(s) • In the thumbnail list, right-click on selected
thumbnails and click Delete contact(s).
• In the contact display, right-click on a tile and
click Delete contact(s).
Export a report • In the staging table, sort by column to set the
report order, then click the Create report icon.
Enter a file name, change the file location if
desired, click Save, and then click OK to return
to the Contacts window or Open to view the
*.html report in a browser.

8.6 Contacts Tutorial

This example demonstrates some of the contact features available in OIC's SAMM. Follow the
directions with the sample data to learn to mark contacts, measure them, and create a report.
1. Look for something interesting in your Forward Look window PPI. Double-click on it.
• A small blue tack appears in the corresponding location in the mosaic window.
2. Mark three more targets in the same manner.
3. Click the Contact icon.
• The Contacts window opens. Not all elements of the Contacts window are visible yet.
4. Click on the Contact_0 thumbnail.
• The contact displays in the contact view.
5. Click the Properties icon on the toolbar (mouse over the buttons to see the names.)
• The properties table opens on the right side of the Contacts window.
6. Click the Measure Width icon on the toolbar. Click on the extreme edge of the widest
part of the target, drag the mouse to the opposite edge, and release the mouse button.
• A blue line appears, representing the contact width.
• The width field in the right panel displays the width in millimeters.
7. Measure the length and shadow length in the same manner. Measure the shadow in the
direction the shadow is cast. You can enter the altitude, if known, in the properties table
to calculate the height of the target.
8. Right-click on the contact icon and select Add contact(s) to staging table.
• The staging table appears at the bottom of the Contacts window, with attribute
information in a tabular view.
9. Click on Contact_1 to select it. Hold Shift and click on Contact_3 to select the second,
third, and fourth contacts. Right-click and select Add contact(s) to staging table.
• SAMM adds the contacts to the staging table. The Width (m), Length (m), and
Shadow Length (m) fields are blank for contacts that you have not measured.
10. Right-click on any of the field names. Uncheck Sensor Latitude and Sensor Longitude.
• They are no longer displayed in the table. This works for any column.
11. Click on the Latitude column.
• SAMM sorts the table by ascending latitude. This works for any column.
12. Click the Create report button. Enter a file name and set the file location and click Save.
• SAMM exports an .html file with images.
13. Close the Contacts window.

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9 Additional Features
SAMM has three additional features present in the toolbars: the Properties window, export tool,
and measure tool. The measure tool is not yet available, and the Properties window displays
Gemini sonar properties. The measure tool can be used to measure any portion of the
mosaicked imagery in linear units.

9.1 Export Tool

The export tool integrates SAMM directly into your workflow, no matter which spatial analysis
software package you use, by exporting in the widely readable GeoTIFF format or the freely
accessible Google Earth format. The tool saves the mosaic as a geocoded image as it appears
in the mosaic window, with respect to swath layering and rendering properties. To export your
mosaic, access the Export dialog from the Export icon.

Figure 47. Export Dialog

The file path and name of the export file defaults to the project folder and names the file
export. You may change the path by entering the new path into the Path field or clicking the
... button. Change the file name by entering it in the File field. The remaining file export options
are available in the Properties subpanel of the export window. These include the file type,
extent, and resolution. The export dialog also displays an estimate of the exported file size (not
yet implemented).

9.1.1 File Type

SAMM supports export to GeoTIFF (*.tif or *.tiff) and Google Earth (*.kmz) formats. Tagged-
Image File Format (TIFF) files are a raster imagery file type. Rasters, as mentioned in Section
5.2, store data in a grid of pixels. GeoTIFFs are TIFFs with geographic tags embedded in the
file, so the data (image that you see) and metadata (location information that allow placing the

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file on a map) are encoded in the same file. The format is an industry standard, and GeoTIFFs
created in SAMM can be read in any program that reads GeoTIFFs as well as regular TIFFs (in
most circumstances).

GoogleEarth files are the native file type for Google's mapping program. SAMM's *.kmz export
can be added to a GoogleEarth map for further analysis or creating maps for reports.

9.1.2 Extent
The user may elect to export the visible extent of the mosaic or the entire survey. If you would
like to limit the exported data to the extent of the mosaic window, set the extent of the mosaic
window before opening the export tool.

9.1.3 Resolution
The resolution options are 5 centimeters (cm), 10 cm, 20 cm, 40 cm, 80 cm, 1.6 m, or 3.2 m.
Because higher resolution images mean larger file sizes, plan on SAMM taking more time to
export images of higher resolution.

9.1.4 Export Tutorial

This brief tutorial demonstrates how to export a mosaic file.
1. Arrange the swaths with the clearest images on top (click and drag from the Swath list-
see Section 7.2).
2. If you do not want to export the entire mosaic at once, pan and zoom in the mosaic
window until the window only shows the extent of the mosaic for export.
3. Click the Export icon.
• The Export Dialog displays.
4. In the Path field, change the path of the file by clicking the ... button. In the Export
window, navigate to the desired folder and enter the file name. Click Save.
5. In the Properties field, choose either GeoTIFF or Google Earth.
6. In the Extents (visible swaths) field, choose either Current view or Entire survey.
7. In the Resolution field, pick the desired resolution from the dropdown menu (not yet
implemented).
8. Click Export.
• SAMM function is halted while it builds the export file.

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10 End Acquisition and Close Project

To stop data playback, or acquisition, and close the project:
1. Click the Pause button on Playback Controls to end playback, or click the Record
toggle icon on the main toolbar to stop logging data in acquisition mode.
• SAMM stops painting swaths behind the vessel.
2. Click the Close Project icon.
• SAMM saves the project automatically before returning to the opening screen.
3. Click Close to exit SAMM.

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