The Spatial Computation and Analysis Research Facility (SCARF) was originally established in 2006 to enhance the ability of Otago ecologists, including staff and postgraduate students, to address research questions with a spatial dimension. The SCARF provides support to the researchers and students from various departments throughout the department. The high-spec computers support advanced spatial modelling and visualisation.
The SCARF is physically located in the School of Surveying Room G19 and takes the form of an office in which networked computers and specialized software enable the integration and analysis of spatial information derived from a variety of spatial data .
Find out about the location of the SERF…
The SCARF is managed and maintained by the School of Surveying with oversight from the following staff:
Hardware
The SCARF is equipped with high performance hardware, including:
- 5 high-spec PC workstations with 8-core Intel i7 processor, 64gb memory, SSD, 8gb Graphics card, dual monitors
- FieldSpec Handheld Spectroradiometer
Software
The SCARF has licenses for many leading software packages, including:
- ESRI ArcGIS Desktop / Pro
- ERDAS Imagine
- Agisoft
- Autodesk
- BricsCAD
- Leica 3DR
- Bentley Point Tools
- Trimble TBC, UAS Master, Realworks
- PCI Geomatica
- Definiens eCognition
- Matlab
- Variety of visualisation software, including VR (e.g. Oculus)
- Open-source GIS and programming libraries (e.g. QGIS, GDAL, Cloud Compare)
- Standard Desktop Productivity Tools
Support
Basic training or on-call technical support is currently available in the SCARF and provided by the School of Surveying staff.
More specific help on GIS/Remote Sensing/Spatial Analysis can be sought from our lecturers.
Access and rules
User must be registered to use this facility. Software and equipment are provided as is. Long term use of SCARF will require basic expertise in GIS (SURV papers, completion of ESRI courses, or others).
Registering to use the SCARF
If you are interested in using the SCARF, please contact Aubrey Miller (aubrey.miller@otago.ac.nz).
Once registered, an access key must be obtained from the School secretary (requires a deposit).