Diving into the eventing features of NaviModel 4.2 and NaviPac 4.1

Author: EIVA CEO Jeppe Nielsen

At EIVA, we are committed to having the best software package for subsea and above-water surveys in the market. As a result, we’re incorporating changes resulting from both major and minor user input as part of the upcoming NaviModel 4.2 (the NaviSuite product dedicated to data modelling and visualisation) and NaviPac 4.1 (dedicated to navigation and positioning). 

In the following piece, you will get a short introduction to some of the many features and improvements this response brings in terms of eventing.

The new versions of NaviModel and NaviPac will be released prior to EIVA Days Denmark and EIVA Day Scotland in September 2017 so, naturally, eventing is also on the agenda for these days.

New version of the Event Tablet tool

NaviSuite generation 3 has included a tool called Event Tablet for many years. Now, we're introducing an entirely new version of the Tablet that is integrated into both NaviModel and the Helmsman’s Display of NaviPac.

The new Event Tablet brings a number of features which make it easier for the data processor to define events:

• It can be integrated as part of the main application window
• It allows for user configuration of layout, size, colours, etc
• It allows for the use of keyboard shortcuts 
• It can be used with a touch screen

The editing mode of the Event Tablet allows you to define layout and content. In operating mode, clicking an event type (which is user-definable) will ensure that the relevant parameters are included and that the event is placed as defined (seabed, water, pipeline, track etc).

Efficiency improvements

A lot of minor efficiency improvements are being implemented on the eventing features. These include:

• Defining shortcuts 
• New snapping and move-to shortcut toolbar
• Pause on event – that is, pausing and resuming playback of video and track
• Following an event – that is, synchronised views of 3D, video and the events tree menu
• Custom colouring of events in the 3D display and event list
• Sorting, finding and pasting in event lists
• Automated data calculation such as KP and height of highest free span

New video tools

A number of new video tools are being implemented, including:

• A time slider showing total length and progress, allowing for fast sliding through the video
• Faster replay speed
• Configurable default replay speed
• Automatic video pause on event
• More export possibilities, including video clips and nearest still picture of event
• Image quality settings (contrast, hue, brightness etc)
• Sound controls, including muting

Live video support

Before NaviModel 4.2, the software supported recorded video files. However, since we see more and more online/live use of video, we're extending video viewing in NaviPac and NaviModel to support live streaming sources.

This means that it is possible to connect to multiple live video feeds, whether you’re directly connected to USB cameras, network IP cameras or H.264 streams. The solution is compatible with different streaming sources, providing different control possibilities. Some of these offer zoom-, resolution- and FPS control – that is, the ability to reduce the data quality so it will work with a lower bandwidth: 

• USB (PC web camera)
• IP network camera, that is, the camera has a built-in encoder and streams directly on TCP/UDP
• Analogue/BNC camera connected to IP streaming encoder
• Low-latency hardware encoder, HDMI/VGA/Component input, H.264 Full HD output 

Latency – in this case, the time delay from the actual real-world occurrence to its display in the video window – is often a key issue when relying on live video feeds. If the video is solely used for post-processing/eventing, a latency of 1-2 seconds is not a critical issue as long as we can identify the exact value. However, if the video is used for navigation (for example, to steer an ROV), then it is desirable to have as low of a latency as possible. Different cameras, encoding technologies and products will give you different latencies, but we have found low-latency Full HD encoders that can be used for live systems at a low cost. (More to come on latency in our blog soon.)

If you have a live streaming camera, NaviPac/NaviModel can record the video directly in the right format and right naming, supporting further use.

While overlays are not yet possible, we’re ready to include this feature if there is an interest for it among our users.

Do you want to learn more about the many new eventing features in NaviModel?

We’ll cover this topic with a presentation and demonstration during EIVA Days Denmark 2017 on 13 September and EIVA Day Scotland 2017 on 20 September in Aberdeen – you are of course also welcome to reach out to us if you have any questions.