The Insights Sandbox is an experimental environment within Analytical Tools that allows you to create, test, and refine custom insights directly on the currently loaded scene. It is designed for fast iteration and validation without affecting existing data or workflows.
Overview #
The Insights Sandbox:
- Operates on the currently loaded scene only.
- Uses all available bands from the image.
- Does not trigger new searches or processing jobs.
- Allows you to create temporary insights for testing purposes.
Unlike standard workflows, the Sandbox focuses on experimentation rather than production.
When to Use the Sandbox #
Use the Sandbox when you are still defining or validating an approach.
Typical use cases include:
- Testing different band combinations.
- Creating and refining custom index formulas.
- Comparing multiple analytical approaches on the same scene.
- Exploring new datasets or unfamiliar instruments.
Whenever the goal is experimentation and iteration, the Sandbox provides a faster and safer alternative to full workflows.
How It Works #
Inside the Sandbox:
- Select the type of insight you want to create.
- Configure the required parameters:
- Bands
- Expressions
- Spectral signatures
- Other method-specific settings
- Apply the configuration.
Once applied:
- A temporary insight is created.
- It will appear as a new layer on top of the current scene once selected and applied.
- It does not replace existing insights.
You can:
- Create multiple variations.
- Switch between them.
- Modify or remove them at any time.
All changes are reflected immediately on the map, enabling direct visual comparison.
Temporary vs Persistent Results #
Sandbox results are temporary by default:
- They only affect the current visualization.
- They do not modify searches, datasets, or AOIs.
- They do not replace the original insight.
Nothing is stored automatically.
If a result is useful, you can explicitly save it:
- Saving converts the configuration into a persistent insight.
- Saved insights become available for reuse in future workflows.
Until saved, all results remain local to the current session.
Key Characteristics #
- Fast iteration: Test multiple configurations instantly.
- Low cost: Reuses the loaded scene without triggering new processing.
- Safe experimentation: Does not affect existing insights or workflows.
- Visual comparison: Multiple variations can coexist on the map.
- Controlled persistence: Only saved results become permanent.
- Not for ML training: As a temporary insight, that option is not presented.
Summary #
- The Insights Sandbox is used to create and test custom insights.
- It works on the current scene using all available bands.
- Results are temporary unless explicitly saved.
- It is the preferred environment for experimentation and validation before running full workflows.
Detailed documentation for each type of insight method is available in its corresponding section.