Imagery in Mapflow

Note

In general there are four ways to use aerial or satellite data in Mapflow:

1. My imagery – upload your own images to the Mapflow platform and use them for processing with Mapflow models.

2. Imagery basemaps – external Imagery providers, such as Mapbox, ArcGIS, etc., are enabled in Mapflow for the instant . You can use them with default models.

3. Custom URL – you can set your own XYZ or TMS layers, including commercial ones like Nearmap, Maxar, etc. This is available in Mapflow Web, API and QGIS plugin.

4. Imagery Search – search for the historical commercial imagery in Mapflow Web and QGIS plugin and place you order to get the images from our partners.

Warning

❗️ Currently, you can use the tool called My imagery in Maplfow QGIS plugin and API. The My Imagery Web implementation is in progress.

“My imagery” in QGIS

“My imagery” allows you to collect images in separate Imagery collections. Using this service, users can easily manage their data collections, reuse images for the next processings and analysis with Mapflow models.

Basic usage:

• Processing of multiple images at one time. If you are experiencing the processing of multiple images in one area, this tool will be helpful.

• Reusing of the uploaded images for the next processings

• Adding tags to the imagery collections to make them searchable in the Mapflow projects

The basic scenario of working with “My imagery” service is as follows:

1. You are creating a Imagery collection (a set of images)

2. Optionally add tags to identify the collection

3. Upload your images to the collection

4. Start processing with Mapflow using the whole Imagery collection or the specific image. With both methods, you can limit the processing area by applying an AOI.

Warning

There are two main restrictions on uploading images in the free plan - the image should be no more than 1 GB and no more than 30,000 pixels by the side. We have no other restrictions on uploading to the collection, but it is important that each uploaded image has the SAME parameters as the rest of the images in the collection (pixel size, number of bands, georeference). For example, two images with pixel sizes of 10 cm and 1 m cannot be added to the same Imagery collection.

Note

Read how to use it in detail in Maplfow QGIS plugin.

“My imagery” Web

Note

❗️The Web app implementation is in progress. But now you can already view the list of your image collections and, if necessary, delete unused ones.

By default, Mapflow provides a free 1 Gb storage for all new users to upload and process data. If the memory limit is running out (Memory free at the bottom of the page), you can either extend your limit by switching to one of the Premium plans or delete the unused data using this page. After viewing the information about the collection and previewing its images (), you can delete one collection at a time () or several at once via multiselect (() -> “Delete selected mosaics”).

Note

Please note that the table lists all your previously uploaded images as separate collections, each with a unique UUID.

🔍 Imagery search and ordering

“Imagery search” allows Mapflow users to search for available satellite imagery over their area of analysis. It’s powered by Mapflow API providing access to the global satellite data providers through our partner integrations.

Imagery providers available for the search and (NEW!) ordering:

• Historical imagery (aggregates and provides satellite imagery from the leading satellite operators)

Imagery providers supported for the account-based integration and search:

• ArcGIS Worldview

• Maxar secureWatch / MGP

See also

Read more about how to use Imagery providers with Mapflow.

Using Imagery Search in Mapflow WEB

To start the processing using the Imagery Search data, you must:

1. Select a date range or a specific date;

2. Set the search parameters (Clouds, Off-Nadir, AOI/Scene intersection);

3. Apply provider filters:

   • “Mosaic”

   • “Image”

   • “Available for me” - The search results will show only those providers that are connected to your account.

Imagery provider types:

Mosaic - Imagery basemaps like ArcGIS or Global mosaic allowing to search images by date and AOI/Scene intersection.

Image - Satellite imagery archives allowing to search for historical images by multiple criteria including Clouds, Off-Nadir, and resolution.

👉 Available for me - Filters the results by the providers that are connected to your account to run the analysis with Mapflow.

4. After clicking “Search Image”, a table with search results and images footprints will appear:

5. You can sort, enable or disable images on the map, and preview them if the provider supports this feature (The preview will be automatically shown on the map after selecting the image in the table);

6. At the final step, you need to select the desired image by clicking on it in the table and click “Save”. Now you are ready to start processing!

Warning

👆️️️️️️ You are able to start the processing only using available providers (“available for me”). If you try to use the image from the provider that is not connected to your account, you will see the corresponding warning “The provider is not available for your account, you need to change the plan”. You need to subscribe to Mapflow Premium to be able to order commercial data providers.

NEW! Schedule Search updates

If you are not satisfied with the current search results or you want to get new images updates without repeating the search manually, this service will do the job.

How to create a scheduled search

1. Set the required search criteria and click “Search Imagery”

Note

If the total area of your search area exceeds 250 km², when you click on “Search Imagery” instead of an immediate search, you will be prompted to create a postponed background search.

2. After that, the search results will appear and the “Save as schedule” button will be available

3. When you click on it, you will be prompted to choose the name of this search schedule

4. After creation the search will complete after a while and the search results will be available to you using “View on the map” button

Viewing background search results

Now a background search will be launched in Mapflow and you will be notified when new images arrive.

The search card shows the label of the new image found. Clicking on an image in the results table will remove the label.

Note

To start processing based on the found image you need to select the desired image by clicking on it in the table and clicking “Save” button.

Note

Two key points on viewing results:

• When opening the search, you will see all results found for the given area(s)

• If your search consists of multiple AOIs and you’re interested in specific ones, you can select them in the “Upload GeoJSON or GeoTIFF file…” section → Now results will only be displayed for the selected AOIs

Main operations with Search Schedule

• Source details - Here you can view and download the geometry of your search

• Mark all as seen - If you have a lot of unread images, you can mark them as viewed all at once

• Set Active Until - You can change the lifetime of the background search (6 months by default at creation)

After expired, the Search will not be deleted, but paused

• Pause/Resume Search - The pause means that it will stop the background search, but you can still view its results

• Delete - Permanently deletes the search

Note

You can also change the search criteria for the existing search:

“View on the map” → Adjust the search parameters → “Search Imagery” → “Save as schedule”. Now the background search will work according to the new parameters.

Warning

❗️ If you rename the search - it will create a new search schedule with the new name instead of updating the existing one. If you only want to rename the search, simply click on its name.

Using Mapflow Imagery Search in QGIS

1. Switch to the tab “Imagery Search”. To start the search, set the dates and the product type filters (“Mosaic” – Imagery basemaps like ArcGIS or Global mosaic and/or “Images” - Satellite imagery archives)

2. Set additional filters like a minimum intersection with your area of analysis.

3. If there is non-empty response, it will add the 🔎 Imagery Search metadata layer to your QGIS project. You can select one or multiple results in the table - or use the layer’s attribute table to start the analysis and processing with Mapflow models.

Hint

In the Arcgis search results you see the zoom level at which the mosaic is available over you area. You can configure the table columns in the Settings.

See also

👉 See Mapflow <> QGIS for more information on how to use Imagery Search in Mapflow Web and QGIS plugin.