Each geospatial and image processing software program treats geospatial data a bit differently—particularly the default contrast settings. These tips can be used for improving image rendering in Q-GIS, a free, open-source GIS and may be useful when viewing CSI in a variety of platforms. If the colorization or contrast of a CSI is not optimal upon loading the image file, it is recommended to adjust the values of the red, green, and blue bands to cover the dynamic range of the scene content through stretching or clipping. Example settings for the Preview Image and Image Data File are shown below.
QGIS can clip the band values unnecessarily, restoring the full range of values and stretching the image will result in an improved viewing experience.
The Image Data File will have a larger dynamic range than the Preview. It is useful to consult the image histogram to select optimal values for the Red, Green, and Blue bands and clip outliers as shown in the sample settings below.