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Overview How Images are Collected Access to Images Using BMOS Image Discovery Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Technical Requirements History of the Digital Image Project Printer-friendly Version

Overview

The Digital Image Services (DIS) Program maintains a semi-automated, computer-based system to support the acquisition, discovery, management, and distribution of geographic digital imagery for the Province of British Columbia.

The Digital Image Services Program is also known as the Image Warehouse. The Warehouse currently stores information on approximately 200,000 geographic images that have been collected by the province. The Warehouse makes these images available to Ministries of the Province, to Federal Government programs, and to businesses and individuals who have an interest in a particular geographic area.

How Images are Collected

Images are obtained through a variety of methods and are delivered to the warehouse for storage. These methods include scanning of images, aerial photography and satellite photography with specific technology added at the point of capture to achieve specific information objectives after processing.

The Image warehouse holds the following types of images;

The Province of British Columbia contains 948,527 sq km of territory. Approximately 98% of that territory has been photographed by one or a combination of the above methods.

Access to Images

Two methods of access to the Image warehouse are available:

  1. Via the Base Map Online Store (BMOS). This method provides information about images and the base mapping program. It also provides technical information about access to the store and the process for purchase and delivery of images.
  2. Special access privileges are available for technical support staff supporting programs. To arrange for direct access to the warehouse database please contact the Digital Image Program Manager Rostam Yazdani.

    Email: Rostam.Yazdani@gov.bc.ca
    Phone: 1-250-387-9323

Using BMOS Image Discovery

The Digital Image Service (DIS) system provides the capability through, the discovery tool, to browse a seamless topographic map of British Columbia. The map is scaleable and with simple navigation tools available at the top of the map window, the user can navigate around the map, choose a point of interest and zoom in to discover detailed geographic information about the area. A second portion of the screen helps manage what is to be displayed. Information such as transportation routes, water lines and water bodies, city names and named highways.

By selecting "Images" from the menu bar at the top of the screen it is possible to determine what images are available for viewing and or purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is BMOS and why is different from the Digital Image Service (DIS) warehouse.

BMOS is the acronym for Base Map Online Store. The store is an online outlet that provides the facilities for anyone to purchase products such as air photos, maps, hillshade views, and orthophotos from a variety of sources. These can be obtained by ordering the products from http://openmaps.gov.bc.ca/imfows13/imf.jsp?site=idt

The Digital Image System (DIS) warehouse is a repository for source images used in many resource management applications. Direct access to the warehouse is restricted to authorized personnel only and orders for images are supplied through the Base Map Online Store.

2. Why is it not possible to see many of the images indicated as being available in the image warehouse?

The digital image warehouse contains hundreds of thousands of photograph images of the province. The images are obtained from a variety of sources and technologies.

Because of the high volume of images and the file space required to maintain digital imagery as well as the high costs associated with storing images in the online production servers, thumbnails of the most current images are made available for viewing. Other imagery that is frequently used are also available to be viewed online.

Older images that are not required on a regular basis are stored in an archive area that is not on-line.

The complete catalogue of less frequently required images are listed in the search results and can be ordered at any time from the store. When an order is received these images will be recalled from the archived area, loaded onto a Compact Disc (CD) and shipped to the customer as requested.

3. What special tools do I require to view the images I am interested in obtaining from the image warehouse?

Most imagery is maintained in standard TIFF format and can be viewed using standard image viewing software available on most computers in use today. More specialized use of the imagery for research and analysis will require special viewing tools.

Images stored in the Image warehouse are large files. Viewers that support large file sizes will be able to display these images.

Some image viewing software can be found at the following web sites;

Imagery such as Spot5 satellite images require special licensing to view. These licenses must be obtained from the image providers. The province maintains an inventory of these specialized images for various programs that are doing work related to geological or environmental study.

Other satellite imagery such as Landsat 5 and 7 do not require special licenses and can be viewed on request through the Base Map Online Store.

Technical Requirements

Images stored in the Image warehouse are large files. Viewers that support large file sizes will be able to display these images.

Image viewers that do not support large files will not be able to display these images.

No special tools are required to view the images that are available in the Online Store. Working with images and correlating the images with other GEO-reference data will require special GIS viewer software. Because of the broad range options available in most cases your Technical support group should be able to provide the specifications required for your business needs.

History of the Digital Image Service

Below are some reference links to documentation outlining the project history and original plans