Using ResMap's Satellite Imagery in Office Applications

Follow the appropriate link for instructions on using ResMap's free satellite imagery in your existing GIS, CAD, RS and/or MS office applications:

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Why won't the red area of interest box appear on the imagery search map?
This function requires Microsoft VM java to be enabled. To do this open Internet Explorer's 'Tool' menu, choose 'Internet Options'. Under the 'Advanced' tab search for the heading 'Microsoft VM', under this heading select 'Java console enabled'. This will require a restart of the browser.

It is most likely that your system already has the Microsoft VM on it if you are running any operating system other than Windows XP. If you have Windows XP and your computers manufacturer did not pre-install the Microsoft VM, or you did not download the Microsoft VM from Windows Update or http://www.microsoft.com prior to July 10, 2002 your system may not have the Microsoft VM on it. To get the Microsoft VM, you will need to install Windows XP SP1. Microsoft VM build 3805 for Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows 95/98, Windows Me, Windows NT 4.0.

Click here to download the original Microsoft Virtual Machine version 5.00.3805

Note: Versions 5.00.3809 & 5.00.3810 are Security Fixes for version 5.00.3805 Download and Install version 5.00.3805 (full version) first before installing the upgrade(s).

Click here to download Microsoft Virtual Machine version 5.00.3809

Click here to download Microsoft Virtual Machine version 5.00.3810

Steps to install Microsoft Virtual Machine:

  1. Download the file using the links above and save it to your hard drive.
  2. Once the file is on your hard drive, execute it and thus load the Virtual Machine.
  3. As the file begins execution, answer Yes to the License Agreement question and then once complete, re-boot your PC.
  4. Once the PC is re-booted you should be set to go.

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What is the Image Web Server?
The Image Web Server is an add on to existing Web servers, such as Microsoft's IIS web server, that serves very large images - GB or TB in size - to any application, including Web browsers, Office, GIS and CAD applications.

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Does ResMap sell imagery, or just on-line access to imagery?
Both. The most of the imagery www.ResMap.com is available for free on-line use. More current on-line imagery is available to clients through a subscription program; please contact ResMap for pricing details for your area of interest.

ResMap also sells imagery for off-line use for clients that want a copy of the data on their local machines. Off-line data sets are available in all custom file formats that will enable easy integration your existing software. Price list for our more popular data sets can be viewed here.

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Do I have to download the images to use them?
No. The Image Web Server uses advanced patent-pending wavelet compression technology to serve imagery interactively.

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How do I use Image Web Server images from within my application?
First, make sure your application has the Image Web plug-in installed (this happens automatically for Web browsers). Then, use the appropriate command to open an image, and specify the URL to the image that is being served from an Image Web Server. Instructions for supported GIS/CAD/MS Office application can be found here.

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Are images geocoded with datum and projection so I can use them in my GIS or CAD software?
Yes. When you open an image, the Image Web Server informs the client what datum (for example NAD83) and projection (for example NUTM11) that the image is in. This means you can use imagery, served directly from an Image Web Server, in your GIS, CAD or other software, and combine it with vectors and so forth.

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Can I add an image from an Image Web Server in my own web pages?
Sure. Contact a ResMap representative for details on how to add dynamic imagery to your web site.

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Can ResMap serve custom imagery products for my exclusive use?
Yes. ResMap offers imagery several hosting options. ResMap can host imagery directly through our search interface for your organizations exclusive use, or we can construct a new site specifically to meet you imagery management needs. Contact us for details .

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How do I install the browser components?
The first time you try to view an image, your Web browser will ask you if you want to install the "NCS" component. Say yes, and follow the instructions to complete the installation.

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What format is the compressed imagery in?
Compressed imagery is in the Enhanced Compressed Wavelet (ECW) open standard image format. Using the ER Mapper ECW imagery plug-ins, you can use Photoshop, Microsoft Office products, ER Mapper, ER Viewer, PCI, Intergraph, Erdas, and other image processing products, as well as GIS applications such as ArcView and ArcInfo.

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Is the ECW image format an open standard?
Yes. ResMap uses the Enhanced Compressed Wavelet v2.0 (ECW) image format. This open standard includes Viewing/Decompression SDK's, Compression/Encoding SDK's, and free plug-ins for a wide range of applications. It is the only true open standard available for large imagery.

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Okay, I've found my imagery. Now how do I use it in Microsoft Word?
Download the free ER Viewer plug-in for use with Microsoft Office OLE aware applications. Now you can also use imagery on-line from directly within Word. Click here for instructions

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Browser Support Issues

Browser Support Issues

Image Web Server does not support Netscape 6
Symptom: Automatic plug-in installation does not work under Netscape 6
Solution: ER Mapper's development team is currently working on updating the Image Web Server plug-in for Netscape to work correctly with Netscape 6. Please check back for the updated plug-in.

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Corrupt imagery display
Symptom: If you are running an ATI video card, you may experience a corrupt display of imagery from an Image Web Server if your Colour Settings are not set to display True Colour (24-Bit)
Solution: Change your colour settings (under Display Properties) to True Colour (24-Bit)

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Corrupt imagery display for some notebook users
Symptom: If you are running the ATI Mobility graphics chip set, you will experience a corrupt display of imagery from an Image Web Server
Solution: To fix this, please create the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\
Earth Resource Mapping\Image
Web Server\UseAlternateDrawCode
type: DWORD
value: 1

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Browser hangs when trying to view imagery
Symptom: Browser hangs when trying to view imagery.
Solution: When the Image Web Server browser plug-in downloads the browser will attempt to validate the Certificate included in the plug-in to verify the content is safe. Some network configurations may cause this to take a very long time or fail completely. If this occurs, download the user-installable version.

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Image Web Server plug-in available for download for users with high security settings
Symptom: The Image Web Server plug-ins for Internet Explorer and/or Netscape browsers can't be automatically downloaded due to high security settings.
Solution: The Image Web Server plug-ins for versions of Internet Explorer and Netscape are available as an independent download. When prompted to install a plug-in from this site, simply download the appropriate manual install plug-in for your browser and install.

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Error message "Could not receive header"
Symptom: The error message "could not receive header" occurs when trying to view an image.
Solution: There are two possibilities: If this message occurred while using the Netscape browser, you may need to update the wininet.dll file (see below for instructions.) If this message occurred while using IE, you may have a firewall and/or proxy that is not yet supported. If this is the case, please contact iws_beta@ermapper.com for assistance.

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Plug-in available for Windows versions of Internet Explorer and Netscape
The Image Web Server plug-in is available for Windows 9x/NT versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer v4.1 and Netscape Navigator 4.5/Communicator 4.61 and greater.
Plug-ins are in development for Internet Explorer and Netscape browsers on Macintosh and Unix operating systems. Check back for availability.

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Displaying imagery in Netscape browser
Symptom: When downloading the ActiveX plug-in, you receive a warning message telling you to update your browser to a newer version.
Solution: The Netscape plug-in currently works under Netscape Navigator 4.5 / Netscape Communicator 4.61 (and later versions) under Windows 95/98/NT.

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Cannot view imagery after download of new plug-in
Symptom: Some clients have encountered the following error message: "Plug-in did not initialize properly."
Solution: If you have an open browser viewing imagery, and you download the new plug-in, you may be asked to reboot your computer before the new settings will take effect. If you decline this request to reboot, you may not be able to view imagery and the above error message will appear. Rebooting your computer will solve this problem.

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Error viewing imagery
Symptom: Some clients have encountered the following error message:
"Could not open
ecwp://wwwResMap.com/
images/image.ecw
Error sending packet."
Solution: The plug-in may not have been installed correctly. Remove the plug-in using the Add/Remove Programs facility in the Control Panel. See www.ermapper.com.au/
iws/unplug_ie.htm for additional help with removing the plug-in.

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Image may not display when running a dynamic proxy server
Symptom: Plug-in installs but image does not display, or only a portion of the image displays.
Solution: Although the Image Web Server now runs through most known proxies, there may still be proxies that inhibit image viewing. Please fill out the support query and give us details on your proxy so that we can support it.

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Unable to install the ActiveX plug-in
Symptom: When trying to install the ActiveX plug-in, IE 4/5, you received a security warning that prevents you from installing the plug-in because your browser security setting has disabled downloading of signed ActiveX controls.
Solution: The plug-in is a certified and signed ActiveX control. To install it, change security from high to medium which enables the download of signed ActiveX controls. Use the browser options menu to change security. Once you've installed the ActiveX control, you can change the security back.

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Image won't display under IE 3
Symptom: When downloading the ActiveX plug-in, you receive a warning message telling you to update your browser to a newer version.
Solution: You must be running Microsoft Internet Explorer version 4 SP 2 or later to view imagery with the Image Web Server plug-in.

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