Orthophotography

Scale-Accurate, Ortho-Corrected Imagery

Orthophotographs are horizontally corrected aerial images. Distortions caused from the earth's surface and aircraft movement are removed. The result is a scale-accurate image. Orthophotography is used in many applications where precise images or reference system is required, such as a cadastral map to a landbase for a GIS. In addition to being as accurate as a planimetric line map, a digital orthophotograph allows the user to view the landscape which may be difficult to depict in a line drawn map, such as farmland vs. pasture vs. a park. Orthophotography allows you to see the full picture.

The Orthophoto Process

Aerial images are captured and processed with a precise geodetic ground control network. Operators then collect X-Y-Z coordinate data to create a DEM (Digital Elevation Model) or DTM (Digital Terrain Model), which represents the relief of the terrain. This coordinate data is then used to rectify the image to its correct geographic location. The end product is a scale-accurate, map-quality, continuous-tone raster image that accurately depicts your project area.

Typical Applications of Orthophotography

Orthophoto images are used in the following:

  • Engineering design
  • Asset management
  • Municipal and government maps
  • GIS land base
  • Right-of-way mapping
  • Alignment mapping
  • Public and private land development

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