The Oregon Imagery Explorer serves Oregon’s 2005 half-meter orthoimagery and other imagery, including satellite data.  The portal’s Image Viewing and Extraction Tool is the tool that enables imagery to be “clipped-zipped-shipped.”  You may extract and download an image file with accompanying metadata for a selected area of interest.  

After launching the Image Viewing and Extraction Tool, you will be presented with an interactive map containing images that are available for viewing and downloading.  You may locate your area of interest by panning, zooming, or searching for a specified location.  If you would like to extract only part of the image, you may draw a clip rectangle defining the region to be extracted.  By selecting resampling and projection options, you may define the resolution and select the datum and projection.  You may also select output options by selecting a file format and compression.  Before your order is submitted, you will be asked to validate your order.  Once the extraction is completed the image will be delivered directly back to your browser (if the image is small) or you will be advised via email (if the image is large.) Once you have placed your first order for imagery, your user settings such as output format and projection will be remembered for future orders if requested.  Per user, extractions are limited to 100 MB per file (for immediate download) and 2000 MB per 24 hours.

Steps to view, extract and/or download imagery:

Step 1.  Launch the Image Viewing and Extraction Tool

To launch the Image Viewing and Extraction Tool that enables clip/zip/ship functionality, type http://imagery.oregonexplorer.info in your browser. 

You will see a new window that looks similar to the example below.  The main window is the Map Window.  This is where imagery and overlay data layers are displayed. To the right of the Map Window is the Navigation Menu, which displays information about the imagery and allows you work with the imagery.  Specifically, the Navigation Menu allows you to extract and download imagery, to display overlay data layers, and to find images and locations.  To get a description of the actions you can perform in a particular menu section, click on the ? icon. By default, you will see the Find a Place section in the Navigation Menu.  Near the bottom of the window you will find the Toolbar and Overview Map.

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Step 2. Select source imagery

If you want to see a list of imagery available, click on Find Images in the Navigation Menu.  In the Find Images panel, select the image layer to display it in the Map Window.  You may select/deselect images that you want to view.  By default all image layers will be selected.  If there is more than one image layer, you can click on the up arrow to change the order of layers.  If there is more than on image layer, you can use the “Transparency” slider to set the transparency of the first layer that is turned on.

Step 3. Select an area of interest

As you become familiar with the imagery, you may be able to narrow in to your area of interest easily using the various tools on the Toolbar. But if you need help finding your area of interest click on Find Place in the Navigation Menu to zoom directly into your area of interest. Or you may click on Overlay Data Layers in the Navigation Menu to add data layers to the map to help orient yourself.

Step 4. Extract and download

To clip/zip/ship imagery, click on Extract and Download in the Navigation Menu. You may define an extraction region in two ways: as the current view or by defining the extract area interactively. To extract the current view, click on the Extract Current View button. To define the extract area interactively, click on the Define Extract Area button. In the Map Window, hold the left mouse button down and drag the mouse to draw a rectangle. This is the region that can be extracted. Click on Extract Defined Area button. The Submit Extraction pop-up will be displayed. Note: You may need to disable any pop-up blockers. Choose the image you would like to extract and the extent of the imagery.

Step 5. Select processing options

Once you have clicked on the extract button in the previous step, you have four options to make images smaller. You may change pixel size, image quality, image extent and output format. By selecting projection options, you may define the datum and projection. You must enter your name and email address to retrieve your extracted image. You may use either the Basic Tab or the Advanced Tab to select processing options. Click submit to continue.

Step 6. Downloading

If your output extraction is less than 100 MB uncompressed, the job will be processed immediately and you should see “Extraction in Progress” in the Status Window. Once the extraction is completed you may download the extracted image as a zip file. If your output extraction is more than 100 MB uncompressed, a confirmation email will be sent to you. Please follow the instructions in the email to confirm your request. The email will have a link that you will need to open to start the extraction job. Once the extraction is finished, you will receive another email with download instructions.