QCoherent Software, LLC

Perform a Standard Deviation Stretch (RGB Property Page)

About the Standard Deviation Stretch

Standard deviation is a measure of variance or dispersion of values from a mean or average. It describes how a set of values are distributed from a central value commonly called the average or mean. If outliers (values either much higher or lower than the other values) are present, then the standard deviation of the values is higher than if the outliers were not present.
Using the standard deviation method of calculating the minimum and maximum values reduces the effect of skew in the distribution of colors. If the distribution has outliers that visually affect the color distribution, a low standard deviation value such as 2 will produce better results. If the visual effect of the outliers is not as significant, then a higher standard deviation value such as 3 or 4 are likely applicable values.
Using low standard deviation values when outliers are not as prominent will result in using too much color on either end of the spectrum. In contrast using high standard deviation values when outliers do have a significant impact on the distribution of colors will result in not enough colors on the ends of the spectrum.

How to Perform a Standard Deviation Stretch

1. Open the Properties dialog box by clicking the button on the LP360 toolbar.

2. Click the Symbology tab, then click the RGB Values tab.

3. Click inside the check box for "Perform Standard Deviation Stretch".

4. Input a value greater than zero into the "Standard Deviations" text box below.