FOSS4G NA 2016: GRASS related workshops and presentations

Introduction

FOSS4G North America 2016, Raleigh, NC, USA, May 2-5, 2016, https://2016.foss4g-na.org/

List of sessions labeled GRASS GIS: https://2016.foss4g-na.org/session/grass-gis

Workshops

• Anna Petrasova, Vaclav Petras, Brendan Harmon, Helena Mitasova (2016): Spatio-temporal Using GRASS GIS through Python and tangible interfaces, US-IALE 2016 Annual Meeting, April 3, 2016, Asheville, NC, USA, Full-day workshop
  • Description: Come and learn about scripting, graphical and tangible (!) interfaces for GRASS GIS, the powerful desktop GIS and geoprocessing backend. We will start with the Python interface and finish with Tangible Landscape, a new tangible interface for GRASS GIS. Python is the primary scripting language for GRASS GIS. We will demonstrate how to use Python to automate your geoprocessing workflows with GRASS GIS modules and develop custom algorithms using a Pythonic interface to access low level GRASS GIS library functions. We will also review several tips and tricks for parallelization. Tangible Landscape is an example of how the GRASS GIS Python API can be used to build new, cutting edge tools and advanced applications. Tangible Landscape is a collaborative 3D sketching tool which couples a 3D scanner, a projector and a physical 3D model with GRASS GIS. The workshop will be a truly hands-on experience – you will play with Tangible Landscape, using your hands to shape a sand model and drive geospatial processes. This workshop is open to beginners. There will be opportunities, however, to discuss more advanced topics tailored to individual interests in breakout sessions during the workshop. Participants should bring laptops with GRASS GIS 7 and their favorite Python editor. Beginners may consider using the latest OSGeo-Live virtual machine.
  • Website: https://geospatial.ncsu.edu/osgeorel/tangible-landscape.html

Presentations

• Vaclav Petras, Anna Petrasova, Helena Mitasova (2016): GRASS GIS loves lidar, Full talk in Using FOSS4G track, FOSS4G North America 2016, Raleigh, NC, USA, May 2-5, 2016
  • Description: Lidar and UAV measurements produce huge point clouds which cannot be handled by classic GIS tools. Not true! New GRASS GIS version offers several tools which are specifically designed for processing of lidar data and point clouds in general. Lidar devices and structure from motion (SfM) processing of UAV imagery are generating large and dense points clouds which are hard to handle as classic GIS vectors. Fortunately, GRASS GIS, a powerful desktop and backend GIS, has a selection of tools which can handle this kind of data. For example, various point cloud decimations are useful as a pre-processing step before interpolation. However, the most significant group of provided analyses uses 2D and 3D binning for highly efficient digital terrain model creation and also for various vegetation and surface analyses. Additionally, we will explore old and new ground classification techniques in GRASS GIS and which analyses PDAL has to offer in connection with GRASS GIS. In this talk we will also look at point clouds from small scanners, namely Kinect, and how these can be processed in GRASS GIS in combination with PCL to couple digital elevation models with scaled physical models. The tools available in GRASS GIS can be used through a graphical user interface or in Bash and Python scripts which can accommodate individual user workflows as well as specific developer needs. We will see how these relate and how to take advantage of all of them.
  • Slides: http://wenzeslaus.github.io/grass-lidar-talks/
  • Related modules: v.in.lidar, r.in.lidar, v.decimate, v.lidar.edgedetection, v.lidar.mcc, ...

• Brendan Harmon, Anna Petrasova, Vaclav Petras (2016): Tangible interaction for GIS, Full talk in Other Cool Stuff track, FOSS4G North America 2016, Raleigh, NC, USA, May 2-5, 2016
  • Description: Imagine being able to hold a GIS in your hands, feeling the shape of the earth, sculpting its topography, and directing the flow of water. We present Tangible Landscape, an open source tangible interface powered by GRASS GIS. Tangible Landscape physically, interactively manifests geospatial data so that you can naturally feel it, see it, and shape it. This makes GIS far more intuitive and accessible for beginners, empowers geospatial experts, and creates new exciting opportunities for developers - like gaming with GIS. In this talk we will introduce tangible interaction and why it matters for all things spatial, demonstrate a few applications such as disaster management and gaming, discuss how to digitally fabricate models, and show you how to implement and build your own system.
  • Website: https://geospatial.ncsu.edu/osgeorel/tangible-landscape.html