ENVI ClassicTutorial:

Classification Methods
Classification Methods
Files Used in this Tutorial
Examining a Landsat TM Color Image
Reviewing Image Colors
Using the Cursor Location/Value
Examining Spectral Plots
Exploring Unsupervised Classification Methods
Applying K-Means Classification
Applying ISODATA Classification
Exploring Supervised Classification Methods
Selecting Training Sets Using Regions of Interest (ROI)
Applying Parallelepiped Classification
Applying Maximum Likelihood Classification
Applying Minimum Distance Classification
Applying Mahalanobis Distance Classification
Exploring Spectral Classification Methods
Collecting Endmember Spectra
Applying Binary Encoding Classification
Exploring Rule Images
Post Classification Processing
Extracting Class Statistics
Generating a Confusion Matrix
Clumping and Sieving
Combining Classes
Overlaying Classes
Editing Class Colors
Working with Interactive Classification Overlays
Overlaying Vector Layers
Converting a Classification to a Vector
Adding Classification Keys Using Annotation

2
2
3
3
4
4
6
6
7
9
9
9
10
10
11
12
12
13
15
17
17
18
19
20
20
22
23
24
24
25

Page 1 of 26
2014 Exelis Visual Information Solutions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This information is not subject to the controls
of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). However,
this information may be restricted from transfer to various embargoed countries under U.S. laws and regulations.

Classification Methods
This tutorial provides an introduction to classification procedures using Landsat TM data from Caon
City, Colorado. Results of both unsupervised and supervised classifications are examined and post
classification processing including clump, sieve, combine classes, and accuracy assessment are
discussed.

Files Used in this Tutorial

Download data files from the Exelis website.
File
can_tmr.img
can_tmr.hdr
can_km.img
can_km.hdr
can_iso.img
can_iso.hdr
classes.roi
can_pcls.img
can_pcls.hdr
can_bin.img
can_bin.hdr
can_sam.img
can_sam.hdr
can_rul.img
can_rul.hdr
can_sv.img
can_sv.hdr
can_clmp.img
can_clmp.hdr
can_comb.img
can_comb.hdr
can_ovr.img
can_ovr.hdr
can_v1.evf
can_v2.evf

Description
Caon City, Colorado TM reflectance image
ENVI header for above
K-means classification
ENVI header for above
ISODATA classification
ENVI header for above
Regions of interest (ROI) for supervised classification
Parallelepiped classification
ENVI header for above
Binary encoding result
ENVI header for above
SAM classification result
ENVI header for above
Rule image for SAM classification
ENVI header for above
Sieved image
ENVI header for above
Clump of sieved image
ENVI header for above
Combined classes image
ENVI header for above
Classes overlain on gray scale image
ENVI header for above
Vector layer generated from class #1
Vector layer generated from class #2

Page 2 of 26
2014 Exelis Visual Information Solutions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This information is not subject to the controls
of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). However,
this information may be restricted from transfer to various embargoed countries under U.S. laws and regulations.

Examining a Landsat TM Color Image

This portion of the exercise will familiarize you with the spectral characteristics of the Landsat TM data
of Caon City, Colorado, USA. Color composite images will be used as the first step in locating and
identifying unique areas for use as training sets in classification.
1. From the ENVI Classic main menu bar, select File > Open Image File.
2. Select can_tmr.img, and click Open. The Available Bands List appears on your screen.
3. Click on the RGB Color radio button in the Available Bands List. Red, Green, and Blue fields
appear in the middle of the dialog.
4. Select Band 4, Band 3, and Band 2 sequentially from the list of bands at the top of the dialog by
clicking on the band names. The band names are automatically entered in the Red, Green, and
Blue fields.
5. Click Load RGB to load the image into ENVI Classic.
6. Examine the image in the display group.

Reviewing Image Colors

The color image displayed below can be used as a guide to classification. This image is the equivalent of
a false color infrared photograph. Even in a simple three-band image, its easy to see that there are areas
that have similar spectral characteristics. Bright red areas on the image represent high infrared
reflectance, usually corresponding to healthy vegetation, either under cultivation, or along rivers. Slightly
darker red areas typically represent native vegetation, in this case in slightly more rugged terrain,
primarily corresponding to coniferous trees. Several distinct geologic and urbanization classes are also
readily apparent.

Page 3 of 26
2014 Exelis Visual Information Solutions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This information is not subject to the controls
of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). However,
this information may be restricted from transfer to various embargoed countries under U.S. laws and regulations.

Using the Cursor Location/Value

Use ENVI Classics Cursor Location/Value option to preview image values in the displayed spectral
bands.
1. From the Display group menu bar, select Tools > Cursor Location/Value. Alternatively, doubleclick the left mouse button in the Image window to toggle the Cursor Location/Value dialog on
and off.

2. Move the cursor around the image and examine the data values in the dialog for specific
locations. Also note the relation between image color and data value.
3. From the Cursor Location/Value dialog, select Files > Cancel.

Examining Spectral Plots

Use ENVI Classics integrated spectral profiling capabilities to examine the spectral characteristics of
the data.

Page 4 of 26
2014 Exelis Visual Information Solutions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This information is not subject to the controls
of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). However,
this information may be restricted from transfer to various embargoed countries under U.S. laws and regulations.

1. From the Display group menu bar, select Tools > Profiles > Z Profile (Spectrum) to begin
extracting spectral profiles.
2. Examine the spectra for areas that you previewed above using color images and the
Cursor/Location Value dialog by clicking the left mouse button in any of the display group
windows. Note the relations between image color and spectral shape. Pay attention to the location
of the image bands in the spectral profile, marked by the red, green, and blue bars in the plot.

3. From the Spectral Profile dialog menu bar, select File > Cancel.

Page 5 of 26
2014 Exelis Visual Information Solutions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This information is not subject to the controls
of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). However,
this information may be restricted from transfer to various embargoed countries under U.S. laws and regulations.

Exploring Unsupervised Classification Methods

Unsupervised classification can be used to cluster pixels in a dataset based on statistics only, without
any user-defined training classes. The available unsupervised classification techniques are K-Means and
ISODATA.

Applying K-Means Classification

K-Means unsupervised classification calculates initial class means evenly distributed in the data space,
then iteratively clusters the pixels into the nearest class using a minimum-distance technique. Each
iteration recalculates class means and reclassifies pixels with respect to the new means. All pixels are
classified to the nearest class unless a standard deviation or distance threshold is specified, in which
case some pixels may be unclassified if they do not meet the selected criteria. This process continues
until the number of pixels in each class changes by less than the selected pixel change threshold or the
maximum number of iterations is reached.
1. From the ENVI Classic main menu bar, select Classification > Unsupervised > K-Means or
review the pre-calculated results of classifying the image by opening the can_km.img file in
the can_tm directory.
2. Select the can_tmr.img file and click OK. The K-Means Parameters dialog appears.

3. Accept the default values, select the Memory radio button, and click OK. The new band is
loaded into the Available Bands List.
4. From the Available Bands List, click the Display #1 button and select New Display.
5. From the Available Bands List, select the K-Means band and click Load Band.

Page 6 of 26
2014 Exelis Visual Information Solutions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This information is not subject to the controls
of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). However,
this information may be restricted from transfer to various embargoed countries under U.S. laws and regulations.

6. From the Display group menu bar, select Tools > Link > Link Displays then click OK to link the
images.
7. Compare the K-Means classification result to the color-composite image using the dynamic
overlay feature in ENVI Classic (click using the left mouse button in the Image window).
8. From the Display group menu bar, select Tools > Link > Unlink Display to remove the link and
turn off the dynamic overlay feature.
9. If desired, experiment with different numbers of classes, change thresholds, standard deviations,
and maximum distance error values to determine their effect on the classification.

Applying ISODATA Classification

ISODATA unsupervised classification calculates class means evenly distributed in the data space then
iteratively clusters the remaining pixels using minimum distance techniques. Each iteration recalculates
means and reclassifies pixels with respect to the new means. This process continues until the number of
pixels in each class changes by less than the selected pixel change threshold or the maximum number of
iterations is reached.
1. From the ENVI Classic main menu bar, select Classification > Unsupervised > IsoData, or
review the pre-calculated results of classifying the image by opening the can_iso.img file in
the can_tm directory.
2. Select the can_tmr.img file and click OK. The ISODATA Parameters dialog appears.
3. Accept the default values, select the Memory radio button, and click OK. The new band is
loaded into the Available Bands List.

Page 7 of 26
2014 Exelis Visual Information Solutions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This information is not subject to the controls
of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). However,
this information may be restricted from transfer to various embargoed countries under U.S. laws and regulations.

4. From the Available Bands List, click the Display #2 button and select New Display.
5. Select the ISODATA band and click Load Band.
6. From the Display group menu bar, select Tools > Link > Link Displays. The Link Displays
dialog appears.
7. Click the Display #2 toggle button to select No, and click the Display #3 toggle button to select
Yes. Click OK to link the images.
8. Compare the ISODATA classification result to the color-composite image using the dynamic
overlay feature in ENVI Classic (click using the left mouse button in the Image window).
9. From the Display group menu bar, select Tools > Unlink Displays.
10. From the Display group menu bar, select Tools > Link > Link Displays. The Link Displays
dialog appears.
11. Click the Display #1 toggle button to select No, and ensure that the Display #2 and Display #3
toggle buttons say Yes. Click OK to link and compare the K-means and ISODATA images.
12. If desired, experiment with different numbers of classes, change thresholds, standard deviations,
maximum distance error, and class pixel characteristic values to determine their effect on the
classification.
13. From the Display group menu bar on the K-Means Image window, select File > Cancel to close
the display group. Close the ISODATA display group using the same technique.

Page 8 of 26
2014 Exelis Visual Information Solutions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This information is not subject to the controls
of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). However,
this information may be restricted from transfer to various embargoed countries under U.S. laws and regulations.

Exploring Supervised Classification Methods

Supervised classification can be used to cluster pixels in a dataset into classes corresponding to userdefined training classes. This classification type requires that you select training areas for use as the
basis for classification. Various comparison methods are then used to determine if a specific pixel
qualifies as a class member. ENVI Classic provides a broad range of different classification methods,
including Parallelepiped, Minimum Distance, Mahalanobis Distance, Maximum Likelihood, Spectral
Angle Mapper, Binary Encoding, and Neural Net. In this tutorial, you will experiment with two methods
for selecting training areas, also known as regions of interest (ROIs).

Selecting Training Sets Using Regions of Interest (ROI)

ENVI Classic lets you define regions of interest (ROIs) typically used to extract statistics for
classification, masking, and other operations. For the purposes of this exercise, you can either use
predefined ROIs, or create your own. In this exercise, you will restore predefined ROIs.
1. From the #1 Display group menu bar, select Tools > Region of Interest > ROI Tool. The ROI
Tool dialog appears.
2. From the ROI Tool dialog menu bar, select File > Restore ROIs. The Enter ROI Filenames
dialog appears.
3. Select the classes.roi file and click Open. Click OK. The ROIs appear in the Image
window.

Applying Parallelepiped Classification

Parallelepiped classification uses a simple decision rule to classify multispectral data. The decision
boundaries form an n-dimensional parallelepiped classification in the image data space. The dimensions
of the parallelepiped classification are defined based upon a standard deviation threshold from the mean
of each selected class. If a pixel value lies above the low threshold and below the high threshold for all n
bands being classified, it is assigned to that class. If the pixel value falls in multiple classes, ENVI
Classic assigns the pixel to the last class matched. Areas that do not fall within any of the parallelepiped
classifications are designated as unclassified.
1. From the ENVI Classic main menu bar, select Classification > Supervised > Parallelepiped, or
review the pre-calculated results of classifying the image by opening the can_pcls.img file in
the can_tm directory.
2. Select the can_tmr.img file and click OK. The Parallelepiped Parameters dialog appears.
3. Click the Select All Items button to select the ROIs.
4. Select to output the result to Memory using the radio button provided.
5. Click the Output Rule Images toggle button to select No, then click OK. The new band is loaded
into the Available Bands List.

Page 9 of 26
2014 Exelis Visual Information Solutions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This information is not subject to the controls
of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). However,
this information may be restricted from transfer to various embargoed countries under U.S. laws and regulations.

6. From the Available Bands List, click the Display #1 button and select New Display.
7. Select the Parallel band and click Load Band.
8. From the Display group menu bar, select Tools > Link > Link Displays and click OK in the
dialog to link the images.
9. Use image linking and dynamic overlay to compare this classification to the color composite
image.

Applying Maximum Likelihood Classification

Maximum likelihood classification assumes that the statistics for each class in each band are normally
distributed and calculates the probability that a given pixel belongs to a specific class. Unless a
probability threshold is selected, all pixels are classified. Each pixel is assigned to the class that has the
highest probability (i.e., the maximum likelihood).
1. Using the steps above as a guide, perform a Maximum Likelihood classification.
2. Try using the default parameters and various probability thresholds.
3. Use image linking and dynamic overlay to compare this classification to the color composite
image and previous unsupervised and supervised classifications.

Applying Minimum Distance Classification

The minimum distance classification uses the mean vectors of each ROI and calculates the Euclidean
distance from each unknown pixel to the mean vector for each class. All pixels are classified to the
closest ROI class unless the user specifies standard deviation or distance thresholds, in which case some

Page 10 of 26
2014 Exelis Visual Information Solutions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This information is not subject to the controls
of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). However,
this information may be restricted from transfer to various embargoed countries under U.S. laws and regulations.

pixels may be unclassified if they do not meet the selected criteria.

1. Using the steps above as a guide, perform a Minimum Distance classification.
2. Try using the default parameters and various standard deviations and maximum distance errors.
3. Use image linking and dynamic overlay to compare this classification to the color composite
image and previous unsupervised and supervised classifications.

Applying Mahalanobis Distance Classification

The Mahalanobis Distance classification is a direction sensitive distance classifier that uses statistics
for each class. It is similar to the Maximum Likelihood classification but assumes all class covariances
are equal and therefore is a faster method. All pixels are classified to the closest ROI class unless you
specify a distance threshold, in which case some pixels may be unclassified if they do not meet the
threshold.
1. Using the steps above as a guide, perform a Mahalanobis Distance classification.
2. Try using the default parameters and various maximum distance errors.
3. Use image linking and dynamic overlay to compare this classification to the color composite
image and previous unsupervised and supervised classifications.
4. When you are finished, close all classification display groups.

Page 11 of 26
2014 Exelis Visual Information Solutions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This information is not subject to the controls
of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). However,
this information may be restricted from transfer to various embargoed countries under U.S. laws and regulations.

Exploring Spectral Classification Methods

Spectral classification methods were developed specifically for use on hyperspectral data, but they
provide an alternative method for classifying multispectral data, often with improved results that can
easily be compared to spectral properties of materials. They typically are used from the Endmember
Collection dialog using image or library spectra; however, they can also be started from the
Classification > Supervised menu option.
See the tutorial "Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM) and Spectral Information Divergence (SID)
Classification" on page 2 for further details of these classification methods.

Collecting Endmember Spectra

The Endmember Collection:Parallel dialog is a standardized means of collecting spectra for supervised
classification from ASCII files, ROIs, spectral libraries, and statistics files.
1. From the ENVI Classic main menu bar, select Classification > Endmember Collection. The
Classification Input File dialog appears.
2. Select the can_tmr.img file and click OK.
3. The Endmember Collection dialog appears with the Parallelepiped classification method selected
by default. The available classification and mapping methods are listed under the Algorithm

Page 12 of 26
2014 Exelis Visual Information Solutions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This information is not subject to the controls
of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). However,
this information may be restricted from transfer to various embargoed countries under U.S. laws and regulations.

menu. You will use this dialog in the following exercises.

Applying Binary Encoding Classification

The binary encoding classification technique encodes the data and endmember spectra into zeros and
ones, based on whether a band falls below or above the spectrum mean. An exclusive OR function
compares each encoded reference spectrum with the encoded data spectra, and ENVI Classic produces
a classification image. All pixels are classified to the endmember with the greatest number of bands that
match unless the user specifies a minimum match threshold, in which case some pixels may be
unclassified if they do not meet the criteria.
1. From the Endmember Collection:Parallel dialog menu bar, select Algorithm > Binary Encoding
or review the pre-calculated results of classifying the image by opening the can_bin.img file in the
can_tm directory. These results were created using a minimum encoding threshold of 75%.
2. For this exercise, you will use the predefined ROIs in the classes.roi file that you used
earlier. From the Endmember Collection:Parallel dialog menu bar, select Import > from
ROI/EVF from input file. The Select Regions for Stats dialog appears.
3. Click the Select All Items button, and click OK.
4. In the Endmember Collection:Parallel dialog, click Select All then click Plot to view the
endmember spectral plots for the ROIs collected in the Endmember Collections dialog.

Page 13 of 26
2014 Exelis Visual Information Solutions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This information is not subject to the controls
of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). However,
this information may be restricted from transfer to various embargoed countries under U.S. laws and regulations.

5. In the Endmember Collections dialog, click Apply. The Binary Encoding Parameters dialog
appears.
6. In the Binary Encoding Parameters dialog, select to output the result to Memory using the radio
button provided.
7. Toggle the Output Rule Images to No, then click OK to start the classification. The new band is
loaded into the Available Bands List.
8. From the Available Bands List, select the Bin Encode band, and click Load Band.
9. Use image linking and dynamic overlay to compare this classification to the color composite
image and previous unsupervised and supervised classifications.

Page 14 of 26
2014 Exelis Visual Information Solutions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This information is not subject to the controls
of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). However,
this information may be restricted from transfer to various embargoed countries under U.S. laws and regulations.

Exploring Rule Images

ENVI Classic creates images that show the pixel values used to create the classified image. These
optional images allow users to evaluate classification results and to reclassify if desired based on
thresholds. These are gray scale images: one for each ROI or endmember spectrum used in the
classification.
The rule image pixel values represent different things for different types of classifications, for example:
Classification
Method
Parallelepiped
Minimum Distance
Maximum
Likelihood
Mahalanobis
Distance
Binary Encoding
Spectral Angle
Mapper

Rule Image Values

Number of bands satisfying the parallelepiped criteria
Sum of the distances from the class means
Probability of pixel belonging to class
Distances from the class means
Binary match in percent
Spectral angle in radians (smaller angles indicate closer match to the reference
spectrum)

1. From the ENVI Classic main menu bar, select File > Open Image File.
2. Select can_rul.img, and click Open. The Available Bands List appears on your screen.
3. Click on the Gray Scale radio button in the Available Bands List and open each Rule band into its
own image window (use the Display > New Display button).
4. Use image linking and dynamic overlay to compare the color composite image to the rule images.
5. From the Display group menu bar, select Tools > Color Mapping > ENVI Classic Color Tables
and drag the Stretch Bottom and Stretch Top sliders to opposite ends of the dialog. Areas with low

Page 15 of 26
2014 Exelis Visual Information Solutions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This information is not subject to the controls
of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). However,
this information may be restricted from transfer to various embargoed countries under U.S. laws and regulations.

spectral angles (more similar spectra) appear bright.

Page 16 of 26
2014 Exelis Visual Information Solutions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This information is not subject to the controls
of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). However,
this information may be restricted from transfer to various embargoed countries under U.S. laws and regulations.

Post Classification Processing

Classified images require post-processing to evaluate classification accuracy and to generalize classes
for export to image-maps and vector GIS. Post Classification can be used to classify rule images; to
calculate class statistics and confusion matrices; to apply majority or minority analysis to classification
images; to clump, sieve, and combine classes; to overlay classes on an image; to calculate buffer zone
images; to calculate segmentation images; and to output classes to vector layers. ENVI Classic provides
a series of tools to satisfy these requirements.

Extracting Class Statistics

This function allows you to extract statistics from the image used to produce the classification. Separate
statistics consisting of basic statistics, histograms, and average spectra are calculated for each class
selected.
1. From the ENVI Classic main menu bar, select Classification > Post Classification > Class
Statistics. The Classification Input File dialog appears.
2. Click the Open drop-down button and select New File.
3. Select can_pcls.img and click Open. The Statistics Input File appears.
4. Select can_tmr.img and click OK. The Class Selection dialog appears.
5. Click the Select All Items button and click OK. The Compute Statistics Parameters dialog
appears.
6. Click the Basic Stats, Histograms, Covariance, and Covariance Image check boxes in the
Compute Statistics Parameters dialog to calculate all the possible statistics.

Page 17 of 26
2014 Exelis Visual Information Solutions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This information is not subject to the controls
of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). However,
this information may be restricted from transfer to various embargoed countries under U.S. laws and regulations.

7. Click OK to compute the statistics. The Class Statistics Results dialog appears.

Generating a Confusion Matrix

ENVI Classics confusion matrix function allows comparison of two classified images (the classification
and the truth image), or a classified image and ROIs. The truth image can be another classified image,
or an image created from actual ground truth measurements. In this exercise, you will compare the
Parallelepiped and SAM classification images using the Parallelepiped classification image as the
ground truth.
1. From the ENVI Classic main menu bar, select Classification > Post Classification > Confusion
Matrix > Using Ground Truth Image. The Classification Input File dialog appears.
2. Select the can_pcls.img file and click OK. The Ground Truth Input File appears.
3. Click the Open drop-down button and select New File.
4. Select can_sam.img, and click Open.

Page 18 of 26
2014 Exelis Visual Information Solutions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This information is not subject to the controls
of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). However,
this information may be restricted from transfer to various embargoed countries under U.S. laws and regulations.

5. Select can_sam.img in the Ground Truth Input File dialog and click OK. The Match Classes
Parameters dialog appears.

6. Select Region #1 from both fields and click Add Combination. Continue to pair corresponding
classes from the two images in this way, then click OK. The Confusion Matrix Parameters dialog
appears.
7. Click the Output Result to Memory radio button then click OK.
8. Examine the confusion matrix and confusion images (in the Available Bands List). Determine
sources of error by comparing the classified image to the original reflectance image using
dynamic overlays, spectral profiles, and Cursor Location/Value.

Clumping and Sieving

Clump and Sieve are used to generalize classification images. Sieve is usually run first to remove the
isolated pixels based on a size (number of pixels) threshold, then clump is run to add spatial coherency to
existing classes by combining adjacent similar classified areas.
1. From the ENVI Classic main menu bar, select Classification > Post Classification > Sieve
Classes. The Classification Input File dialog appears.
2. Select the can_sam.img file within the Select Input File section of this dialog and click OK.
The Sieve Parameters dialog appears.

Page 19 of 26
2014 Exelis Visual Information Solutions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This information is not subject to the controls
of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). However,
this information may be restricted from transfer to various embargoed countries under U.S. laws and regulations.

3. Click the Output Result to Memory radio button, then click OK. The image is loaded into the
Available Bands List.
4. You will now use the output of the sieve operation as the input for clumping. From the ENVI
Classic main menu bar, select Classification > Post Classification > Clump Classes. The
Classification Input File dialog appears.
5. Select the previously created image file from memory, and click OK. The Sieve Parameters
dialog appears.
6. Click the Output Result to Memory radio button, then click OK. The image is loaded into the
Available Bands List.
7. Compare the three images (can_sam.img, Clump, and Sieve) and reiterate if necessary to
produce a generalized classification image.
8. Optional: compare the pre-calculated results in the files can_tm\can_sv.img (sieve) and
can_clmp.img (clump of the sieve result) to the classified image can_pcls.img
(parallelepiped classification) or calculate your own images and compare to one of the
classifications.

Combining Classes
The Combine Classes function provides an alternative method for classification generalization. Similar
classes can be combined to form one or more generalized classes.
1. From the ENVI Classic main menu bar, select Classification > Post Classification > Combine
Classes or review the pre-calculated results of classifying the image by opening the can_
comb.img file in the can_tm directory. The Classification Input File dialog appears.
2. Select the can_sam.img file and click OK. The Combine Classes Parameters dialog appears.
3. Select Region #3 from the Select Input Class field, click Unclassified from the Select Output
Class field, click Add Combination, then click OK. The Combine Classes Output dialog
appears.
4. Click the Output Result to Memory radio button then click OK. The image is loaded into the
Available Bands List.
5. Using image linking and dynamic overlays, compare the combined class image to the classified
images and the generalized classification image.

Overlaying Classes
Overlay classes allow you to place the key elements of a classified image as a color overlay on a gray
scale or RGB image.
You can examine the pre-calculated image can_tm\can_ovr.img or create your own overlay(s)
from the can_tmr.img reflectance image and one of the classified images.

Page 20 of 26
2014 Exelis Visual Information Solutions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This information is not subject to the controls
of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). However,
this information may be restricted from transfer to various embargoed countries under U.S. laws and regulations.

1. From the ENVI Classic main menu bar, select Classification > Post Classification > Overlay
Classes or review the pre-calculated results of classifying the image by opening the can_
comb.img file in the can_tm directory. The Input Overlay RGB Image Input Bands dialog
appears.
2. Under can_tmr.img in the Available Bands List, select Band 3 for each RGB band (Band 3
for the R band, Band 3 for the G band, and Band 3 for the B band) and click OK. The
Classification Input File dialog appears.
3. Click Open, and select New File. A file selection dialog appears.
4. Open can_tm\can_comb.img, and click Open.
5. Click OK in the Classification Input File dialog.
6. Using the Shift key on your keyboard, select Region #1 and Region #2 in the Class Overlay to
RGB Parameters dialog.
7. Click the Output Result to Memory radio button, then click OK. The image is loaded into the
Available Bands List.
8. Load the overlay image to a new display group.
9. Using image linking and dynamic overlays, compare this image to the classified image and the
reflectance image.

Page 21 of 26
2014 Exelis Visual Information Solutions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This information is not subject to the controls
of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). However,
this information may be restricted from transfer to various embargoed countries under U.S. laws and regulations.

Editing Class Colors

When a classification image is displayed, you can change the color associated with a specific class by
editing the class colors.
1. From the Display group menu bar, select Tools > Color Mapping > Class Color Mapping. The
Class Color Mapping dialog appears.
2. Click on one of the class names in the Class Color Mapping dialog and change the color by
dragging the appropriate color sliders or entering the desired data values. Changes are applied to
the classified image immediately.
3. To make the changes permanent, select Options > Save Changes from the menu bar in this the
dialog.

Page 22 of 26
2014 Exelis Visual Information Solutions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This information is not subject to the controls
of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). However,
this information may be restricted from transfer to various embargoed countries under U.S. laws and regulations.

Working with Interactive Classification Overlays

In addition to the methods above for working with classified data, ENVI Classic also provides an
interactive classification overlay tool. This tool allows you to interactively toggle classes on and off as
overlays on a displayed image, to edit classes, get class statistics, merge classes, and edit class colors.
1. From the Available Bands List, load Band 4 of can_tmr.img as a gray scale image.
2. From the Display group menu bar, select Overlay > Classification. The Interactive Class Tool
Input File dialog appears.
3. Select the can_sam.img file and click OK. The Interactive Class Tool appears with each class
listed along with its corresponding colors.
4. Click each On check box to change the display of each class as an overlay on the gray scale
image.
5. Explore the various options for assessing the classification using the Interactive Class Tool
Options menu.
6. Interactively change the contents of specific classes using the Interactive Class Tool Edit menu.
7. From the Display group menu bar, select File > Save Image As > Image File to burn in the
classes and output to a new file.
8. From the Interactive Class Tool menu bar, select File > Cancel to exit the interactive tool.

Page 23 of 26
2014 Exelis Visual Information Solutions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This information is not subject to the controls
of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). However,
this information may be restricted from transfer to various embargoed countries under U.S. laws and regulations.

Overlaying Vector Layers

You can load pre-calculated vector layers onto a gray scale reflectance image for comparison to raster
classified images, or convert one of the classification images to vector layers.
1. Load can_clmp.img into a display group.
2. From the Display group menu bar, select Overlay > Vectors. The Vector Parameters: Cursor
Query dialog appears.
3. From the Vector Parameters: Cursor Query dialog menu bar, select File > Open Vector File.
4. Use the Shift key on your keyboard to select the files can_v1.evf and can_v2.evf. Click
Open. The vectors derived from the classification polygons will outline the raster classified
pixels.

Converting a Classification to a Vector

1. From the ENVI Classic main menu bar, select Classification > Post Classification >
Classification to Vector. The Raster to Vector Input Band dialog appears.
2. Select the can_clmp.img file Clump result within the Select Input File section of this dialog
and click OK. The Raster to Vector Parameters dialog appears.
3. Using the Shift key on your keyboard, select Region #1 and Region #2 from the Select Input
Class field.
4. In the Enter Output Filename field, type canrty and click OK to begin the conversion. The
layers are loaded into the Available Vectors List.
5. Select Region #1 and Region #2 in the Available Vectors List dialog then click Load Selected.
6. Select a display number from the Load Vector dialog and click OK.
7. From the Vector Parameters dialog menu bar, select Edit > Edit Layer Properties to change the
colors and fill of the vector layers to make them more visible.
8. Using image linking and dynamic overlays, compare the combined class image to the classified
images.

Page 24 of 26
2014 Exelis Visual Information Solutions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This information is not subject to the controls
of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). However,
this information may be restricted from transfer to various embargoed countries under U.S. laws and regulations.

Adding Classification Keys Using Annotation

ENVI Classic provides annotation tools to put classification keys on images and in map layouts. The
classification keys are automatically generated.
1. From the Display group menu bar, select Overlay > Annotation for either one of the classified
images, or for the image with the vector overlay.
2. From the Annotation menu bar, select Object > Map Key to start annotating the image. You can
edit the key characteristics by clicking the Edit Map Key Items button in the dialog and changing
the desired characteristics.
3. Click once with the left mouse button in the Image window to place the map key in the image
window.
4. Click and drag the map key using the left mouse button in the display to place the key.
5. Click in the display with the right mouse button to finalize the position of the key. For more
detailed information about image annotation, see the ENVI Classic Help.

Copyright Notice:
ENVI Classic is a registered trademark of Exelis Inc.
QUAC and FLAASH are registered trademarks of Spectral Sciences, Inc.

Page 25 of 26
2014 Exelis Visual Information Solutions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This information is not subject to the controls
of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). However,
this information may be restricted from transfer to various embargoed countries under U.S. laws and regulations.