What’s New in Version 3.1¶
These are the main new features of the most recent Pathfinder release, the 3.1 version:
Support for Raster Data¶
Spatial data often comes in raster formats, a matrix of pixels with color, integer or floating number values.
Before 3.1, Pathfinder only supported raster data as background images, and only for visualization purposes. Now these datasets can be used in Pathfinder analysis scenarios without the need to transform them first into polygons.
These are new features related to raster data:
When a project is created, a digital elevation model and a slope map are automatically created for your study area and added to the project as default layers.
Raster data files can be imported as base datasets and added to the project.
Geoprocesses may also generate raster results, which can then be used in the project as layers.
The new layer will be processed for visualization:
And added to the Layers panel:
Like vector layers, these raster layers can also be used to set resistances in the Pathfinder scenarios, usually to set constraints based on:
Terrain elevation or slope. We probably want to avoid areas of high slope or altitude.
Raster results of a geoprocess. For instance, we can use viewshed calculation output to favor or disfavor certain areas in the routing.
Other qualitative or quantitive raster data. As an example, land cover data is freely available for the whole globe and we can use its land use classification values to set different resistances in the model.
Filter Data by Attribute¶
Before version 3.1, if the user wanted to set different resistance or buffer values to different objects in a vector dataset, according to some property like the type of building, type of soil, etc., it had to follow these steps:
In a GIS software, find the property of interest (the type of building in this example) and classify the objects according to this property:
Export each class into a separate data file.
Upload each separate class file, create a layer from them, and assign them different buffers and resistances.
Now, in version 3.1, there is no need to preprocess the data outside Pathfinder to classify it in different files. The original file (all the buildings, in our example), can be uploaded as a single base dataset.
Once this base dataset is uploaded, we can create layers for objects of different classes by using the filter property. Just click on the Set button and select the attribute containing the property you are interested, as well as the operator (=, <, …) and the value to compare. Multiple filters can be combined, as in the following example.
By repeating this process, you can easily create layers with different objects, resistance and buffer settings from the same original base layer, all inside Pathfinder.
New Scenario Options¶
Pathfinder 3.0 already had the option to configure advanced parameters in the admin pages. Now, these parameters are available in the Scenario Settings, so they can be adjusted separately for each scenario.
MCDA Selection¶
The MultiCriteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) performed by Pathfinder combines the layer resistances and category weights according to different formulas, which can be customized for specific client or regional standards.
If multiple MCDAs are available for your company, you can now select one in the General options of each scenario:
Corridor Method¶
The corridor calculation method can also be selected now from the Scenario Settings:
Pylon Spotting Parameters¶
When a pylon spotting algorithm is selected as routing algorithm, the user can configure options to optimize angles and control the route behavior when crossing forbidden areas.
Path Length Optimization¶
Users requested to have direct control on the optimization of the route length, together with the other resistance/cost factors in the scenario.
To accomplish this, the new Lengh Optimization setting lets users choose a value between 0.0 and 1.0, to assign more or less weight to the path length.
Higher values create shorter and smoother paths:
New and Improved Charts¶
Analysis charts are an essential tool to compare route options and help in the decision making process.
Multipath Analytics¶
In the new 3.1 version, the Path Analytics chart, which shows the impact of each route on the spatial constraints (e.g. protected areas), can combine any number of routes, allowing for a direct visual comparison. Also, specific layers and a minimum and maximum threshold can be selected.
Vertical Profile¶
A new Vertical Profile chart has been added to show the variation of the elevation along the path, being able to compare multiple paths as well.
Resistance Profile¶
Another new chart shows the variation of the resistance (cost) of the scenario along the paths, another intuitive way to compare multiple alternatives and decide which one is more optimal.
Reports Generation¶
In Pathfinder, all individual charts and the view can be exported as CSV and image files. Starting with Pathfinder 3.1, users can also generate a full report with optional sections, where all results of the project are presented, including data content, scenario parameters, maps, key indicators and analysis charts.
This reports can be printed or saved as a PDF file.
Improved Geoprocesses¶
Geoprocesses are customizable calculations for applications like customer-specific cost calculations, analytics and deliverable generation.
With the raster support added to 3.1, geoprocesses can now operate on raster layers in the project. New geoprocesses have been added, including path resistance statistics and viewshed calculations:
As we have seen, the results of the geoprocesses can now also be added as layers in the project, in addition to the table and geodata file exporting.
Integrated Cesium 3D Assets¶
The 3D view can be used to visually evaluate the route alternatives and edit the path to accommodate feedback from stakeholders.
In this evaluation process, the integration of external reference data can help providing important information of the current environment, or future construction plans that need to be taken into account.
Starting with 3.1, Pathfinder can easily integrate any 3D data published to the Cesium Ion server, which is free up to a certain storage level. Sample data is provided for each of the types supported, and users can add their own assets by specifying the correct IDs. In this video we can see how the integration operates.
Samples of the 3D assets supported are:
3D Tiles with objects (e.g. buildings imported from CityGML)
3D Tiles with colored point clouds
3D Tiles with classified point clouds
KML/KMZ models (see the integration with PLS-CADD)
Geographic features (GeoJSON) with or without elevation. For instance, we can import underground utility data:
Custom terrain data (e.g. bathymetry for off-shore routing)
Underground Routes and Visualization¶
Besides being able to import underground reference data, in 3.1 we can also create and display underground routes by using a specific pylon model, and then set the Underground viewing option to make the terrain surface transparent in the project area and rotate the view below the surface:
Improved KML Export¶
In addition to exporting the route options as simple line KML files that can be used in GIS or CAD software, version 3.1 also offers the option to export the routes as KML with 3D objects, including cables, which can be displayed in Google Earth and other software packages.
Compare the overall routes in Pathfinder:
With the corresponding KML export in Google Earth:
A detailed view in Pathfinder:
And a similar view exported to Google Earth:
Integration with PLS_CADD¶
PLS-CADD is a software product from Power Line Systems which focuses on structural and geometric design of power lines. Is it widely used to complete the detailed design of a transmission line, based on terrain and other survey data.
Typically, Pathfinder is used in previous design iterations focused on environmental, regulatory and other geographic constraints, as well as community and stakeholder feedback. Once the decision about the overall route is done from alternatives provided and evaluated in Pathfinder, the route can be exported and used in PLS-CADD to finish the details of the design.
This integration has been improved in 3.1 with the following features:
Path export in UTM coordinates, so they can be imported in PLS-CADD.
Detailed KML export of Pathfinder routes (see previous point), so they can be compared in Google Earth with the KMZ exported from PLS-CADD.
Importing of detailed PLS-CADD design in KMZ as a Cesium asset (see previous points):
This video shows the different data exchange options between Pathfinder and PLS-CADD.
Other Improvements¶
This is a list of other new features and improvements:
Increased project area/resolution
Depending on your license configuration, you may now be able to work with project areas as large as 640x640 Kms at 10m resolution. Check with Gilytics.
Additional results exported:
When exporting a scenario or project, in addition to the regular paths, project area, project start and end points, resistance map and corridor information, some new files are generated:
Scenario configuration parameters (JSON format)
Scenario start and end points (if defined, in shapefile format)
Path with elevation values (shapefile with Zs format)
Path in UTM coordinate system (shapefile format, for PLS-CADD integration)
Easier WFS layer selection:
Option to show/hide pylons in the Map and 3D views
Google Satellite images available as background in Map and 3D Views. This image service typically provides more recent data.
