Sedona DM Tool vs. ERDAS Evaluation Notes

Ease of file access DM Tool has a very interesting query method which seems odd at first, but becomes effective with use.
Type of file access DM Tool allows more files to be viewed in their native format, ERDAS requires that they be imported as .img files.
Dependency on a software specific format DM Tool does not require special import to work with files, big plus.
Number of file formats the software can access Again, DM Tool does not require the user to import files, and handles a lot of file types.
Information capabilities about a file without display Both applications have simular image summary capabilities.
File query abilities Query tools very good once user gets used to them.
Varieties of images displayed Again, DM Tool displays more images in their native format.
Annotation capabilities DM Tool has easier interface but ERDAS has more features.
Mensuration tools ERDAS has more options and is easier to understand and track measurements.
geopositioning tools DM Tool give position well, simular to ERDAS method.
by lines ERDAS tracks current and past measurements, easier to understand and display.
change map unit default fearures ERDAS offers more options.
Zoom methods DM Tool has a very good toggle zoom feature.
Zoom discreet Very simular features, ERDAS a little easier to use.
Zoom continuous Again, very simular features.
Roam or pan methods DM Tools pan method is different but very effective with use, but I couldn't find a way to get back to normal.
Rotate features DM Tool has more options and an easier interface.
Rotate discrete DM Tool interface much easier.
Rotate continuous DM Tool interface much easier.
Rotate counter clockwise DM Tool has good capabilities.
Rotate clockwise DM Tool interface much easier.
Image flip capabilities DMTool easier, Erdas has more options.
Image stretch capabilities DM Tool very good capabilities to stretch, very easy to understand, fit maps to images or vise versa
File access from the viewer DM Tool require several steps to pull up additional files, ERDAS only has two.
Speed DMTool is very slow on both initial opening and after edits.
Fit to frame Both applications fit the image or map to the frame well.
Transparent background capabilities Both can make certain colors within the backdrop or image transparent.
Dynamic zoom Both applications had simular and good dynamic zoom capabilities.
User definition of view extent The ROI on DM Tool is very easy to use.
number of simultaneous images displayed I could only get DM Tool to display one image or map at a time per query.
Image to window fitting Both applications had this function.
Window to image fitting Both had limited capabilities on this feature.
Display to user defined xy coordinate DM Tool has a much easier interface to zoom to x,y coordinates.
image warping and stretching capabilities DM Tool did very well with stretch and warping of image to maps or vise versa, ERDAS was a difficult process.
flicker / toggle features DMTool makes this easier.
true color, pseudo color, gray scale and relief display Both applications performed this feature.
blend and fade features Both applications performed equally well.
subtraction capabilities Both applications fairly simular on this feature.
sharpness and edge enhancement DM Tool had easy interface, easier to play around with.
area or region of interest features DM Tool ROI feature is very good and easy to use.
vector, raster, and annotation capabilities on one viewerDM Tool easier, ERDAS has more features.
brightness and contrast adjustment features Both applications allow adjustment very easily.
color contrast entire image Both again supply many features
multiple image display features I was unable to figure out how to display more than one image or map at the same time from one query.
viewer image saving capabilities ERDAS can save to .img or .vue(?) DMTool allows several different formats.
display of summary data for the image Both applications have a limited ability to display data.
image information capabilities from the viewer Again, image summary information is available with both applications.
Ease of learning measurement Both were easy to learn, although ERDAS has more features.
Image output features I had a tough time working with the DM Tool Print out dialog box because it didn't give me any print setup options.
Quality of user interface or ease of use DM Tool was has a flatter learning curve, most interfaces are easier, though not as extensive"
Quality of documentation Second revision of documentation is much better.
DRG's The image quality is about the same but working with a drg is much easier within DMTool. ERDAS requires the image to be imported to an .img file while DMTool uses it in the native format. Both packages lost the coordinates as the image was displayed.