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Sample of published articles



Paws up: The Picture-Perfect Family Resort for Your Summer Vacation (Written for Paws Up Resort, 2013)

 

Ok, now I know you've been asking, "What can we do differently this summer as a family, something that is unique and yet fun and relaxing?" Well, I found the perfect family vacation. So listen, picture your family in the countryside this summer, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, enjoying each other, without constantly hearing, "I'm bored!" Paws up family resort is your ticket, my friend.

 

Nestled in the Rocky Mountains in Montana, approximately 35 miles from Missoula and several other cities, we are an all-inclusive family resort that couples Montana's beautiful warm summer weather with family-friendly outdoor adventures, or along with winter-time activities, making for a perfect Christmas vacation.

 

One of the best family resorts that won't cost you an arm and leg, we feature the best activities around, including:

 

    Horseback riding

    River rafting

    Fly fishing

    Rappelling

    Kid's camp

    Paintball wars

    Chuck wagon rides

    Mountain Biking

    Hiking, and more

 

This is a family resort that your family will be talking about for years to come, because they will get to experience a new environment and learn how to do new activities, instead of just riding rides all day long. This is truly one of the best experiences you can have with your family on our huge 37,000 acre (60 miles) piece of beautiful wilderness.

 

Besides it being a great family resort, we also accommodate family and school reunions, a unique wedding experience, or even just a small family vacation. Whatever you're looking for in a vacation, you can find at all-inclusive family resorts.

 

Looking for a winter wonderland Christmas vacation? Our resort also caters to the outdoor winter enthusiasts by offering: 

 

    Snowmobiling 

    Snowshoeing 

    Cross-country skiing 

    Ice wall climbing 

    Sleigh rides

    Ice skating

    Ice fishing 

    Dog sledding

    Downhill skiing nearby, and so much more

 

Surrounding Lewis and Clark History, we are also home to ten winding miles of the Blackfoot River (think of the movie, "A River Runs Through It.")  Our family resort is not just "roughing" it; the resort features luxurious accommodations for your family, all the while keeping the rustic look of wood cabins. There are many different rooms to choose from, depending on the size of your family, and comfortable furnishings with large windows to bring in plenty of summer sun or to look out at beautiful sow-capped trees.

 

After a fun day of horseback riding or river rafting in the summer, or coursing down the mountains on skis, our luxurious spa treatments can help your family rejuvenate and prepare for a relaxing night's sleep. 

 

Summertime weather is truly perfect with 70-80 degree temps in the daytime and cool temps at night - perfect for a warm fire and hot chocolate. In the winter, don on coats, gloves, and hats, because it gets mighty cold, and if you love the nippy air, we are just up your alley for a fun, outdoor winter experience.

 

So, this summer or winter, treat your family to this awesome, once-in-a-lifetime family resort experience that will have your kids talking about for years to come, and enjoy the Rocky Mountains of Montana. 




Six Most Common Uses of Summit Evolution Software (Written for DAT/EM, 2021)


Whether you’re in the construction, government, or transportation businesses, ensuring you have clear and concise geo-mapping is essential. Because Summit Evolution’s photogrammetry software includes features that make it user-friendly and cost-effective, you can apply it in many industries: forestry, Departments of Transportation, City, State, and Federal infrastructure mapping, military, watershed management, predictive sea level rising modeling, and more.


Photogrammetry has taken the process of 3D photo extraction to the next level from Stereo data mapping for aerial photography via drones to ground digital photography.


Today, we will discuss the six most common uses of Summit Evolution software from the list above. You will learn how the software has ease of use and configuration, is compatible with most hardware, and has the unique capability of compiling mapping data directly into a target CAD or GIS systems; these include Bentley MicroStation, AutoDesk, AutoCAD, or Blue Marble Global Mapper. This is without needing to translate or manage the data after the fact.


Continue reading for a quick overview of the leading industries we serve and how the Summit Evolution software helps.


Learn about the Summit Evolution of photogrammetry.


What is Photogrammetry?


Photogrammetry is the science and technology of obtaining reliable information about physical objects and the environment through recording, measuring, and interpreting photographic images and patterns of electromagnetic radiant imagery and other phenomena. Coined from the Prussian architect Albrecht Meydenbauer, photogrammetry appeared in his 1867 article, “Die Photometrographie.” and was defined by the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. (ASPRS)


It’s about as old as photography itself—about 150 years. Since then, it has evolved into digital, or softcopy photogrammetry based on digital imagery and computer vision. The concept involves taking precise measurements of three-dimensional objects primarily from two-dimensional photographs. It’s used in many applications, such as:


  • Coordinate measuring
  • Quantification of distances, areas, heights, and volumes
  • Preparation of topographic maps
  • Generation of digital elevation models and orthographics


There are two types of photogrammetry: arial (in the air with a camera) and terrestrial (handheld camera or on a tripod) Two other types of photogrammetry you may encounter include interpretive and metric. Interpretive uses careful and systematic analysis to identify objects and gather considerable factors from an image. Metric photogrammetry is all about finding measurements and covering planimetric and topographical mapping.



Industry Applications for Summit Evolution Software


As stated above, our software serves several industries. Let’s break down the six common applications for Summit Evolution’s workstation software, how it helps, and what makes it stand out from the rest.  


Forestry


One of the applications Summit Evolution software serves is in the forestry industry. This includes compartment mapping, logging road layout, harvest planning, stand management, forest fire assessment, and mitigation. In addition, 3D images enable farmers to get insights into soil quality, irrigation scheduling, nutrition, and pests in agriculture. Another valuable photogrammetry service is the ability to survey land after storms or floods to address growth and crop damage.


City, State, and Federal Infrastructure Mapping


For precision mapping of roadways, bridges, buildings, housing, urban forestry, landscape architecture, and the mapping of taxable assets, Summit Evolution Federal ensures you have the tools and resources necessary to find and capture 3D stereo data information. The software features:


  • CAD and GIS interfaces
  • 3D stereo vector superimposition
  • Automated feature editing
  • Contour Generation,
  • And much more


Summit Evolution Federal can apply coordinate transformation and allow unlimited zoom levels, past pan, and automatic loading of adjacent stereo models. This is accomplished with DAT/EM Superimposition of CAD and GIS vectors over the image view. This program is primarily used for land surveying and by construction crews, architects, and local governments to discover and use data analysis for deciding about property boundaries and building planning.


Discover more about Summit Evolution Federal.


Departments of Transportation


Using areal footage of roads and streets provides better State and Federal roadway management and long-term planning when using photogrammetry. 3D images produce dimensional data for mapping, design, and computation of earthwork and other construction quantities; it also provides a clear picture of traffic accidents for investigative purposes. With over 75 million vehicles on roadways, the urban planner is responsible for planning today and tomorrow’s mobility; therefore, using photogrammetry via a drone gives them an accurate visible assessment of infrastructure.


Planning transportation is a massive job that needs to be carefully considered for public roads, neighborhood streets, and highways. Using a 3D aerial view offers a clear image of an area that can be surveyed and studied.


Military Intelligence


If you need software that allows for discovering and capturing 3D information from stereo data, our world-class photogrammetry workstation is one to consider. This software assists in campaign planning, wargaming, access mapping, and defense planning. Necessary for understanding a landscape, photogrammetry creates an accurate geo-locational mapping with low processing times, which, together with aerial imagery and photogrammetric technology, enables accurate 3D maps—all without human input.


The two purposes the military uses aerial imagery is for map preparation, used by Army staffs to plan their operations and by the combat troops to find their way on the ground, from place to place, or when computing field artillery and infantry firing data; it’s also used for intelligence purposes. Pictures taken above and over enemy lines are studied for signs of movement to help with military planning and disclosing those of the enemy.       


Watershed management


Central and local authorities adopt photogrammetry for watershed management, including contour mapping for runoff estimation, flood risk assessment, and emergency response to flooding events. The software makes it more manageable, allowing crucial assessments and imagery. For example, it’s used for pinpoint accuracy locating people stranded after a natural disaster, along with a visual of the depth of damage to an area.


When it comes to integrated and participatory watershed management approaches, drones are vital catalysts in providing authorities with integrated management, planning, forecasting, executing, and sustaining projects. Participatory management involves actively collaborating with NGOs, local government, and people.  


Survey and Engineering


With the advent of drone technology, it’s now much easier to take more accurate and more transparent images on contours and landmasses. This is a valuable tool for engineers to evaluate a construction project, allowing for more detailed photos. Land surveyors can also take more precise measurements, which assists local government in mapping out areas, benefiting the community.

Like land surveying, photogrammetry can also help with commercial and residential development and subdivision planning by giving clients and construction workers perspective images; this allows them to take in-progress visuals or prospective results.


Visit DAT/EM for Summit Evolution’s Software


The applications for photogrammetry are vast and offer valuable tools in many industries when precise data is crucial for mapping and photo extraction. Summit Evolution’s software gives you everything you need to obtain the best 3D images. In addition, our products include key features that will become more valuable as technology evolves and more industries come on board.


Take advantage of the ground-breaking technology of photogrammetry’s digital landscape and start seeing what makes us stand apart. Visit our product page for more information or contact us for general inquires or sales information.

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