PHOTOMONTAGE

The properties of the photo used (focal length, date/time, coordinates) are loaded automatically into the module, if available in the digital photo file.

Precise handling of height contours is an important feature in PHOTOMONTAGE. They enable fast calibration with the horizon line, erasing of any WTGs (or parts) hidden by the terrain, creation of pictures of your project in a virtual landscape without a photo as well as verification of the orography data used in energy calculation. PHOTOMONTAGE is so accurate that it can also be used to verify the position and height of measurements mast and existing turbines.

With PHOTOMONTAGE users can easily present different project layout scenarios in their discussions with planning authorities and neighbours and adjust a project to fit into the landscape in the best possible way.

Camera model

The technique behind doing a photomontage is to establish a camera model, which can transform any point with known elevation and coordinates from a map to a 2-dimensional photo. Once the camera model is established, a render function can position a 3-dimensional model of a WTG into the image with the correct proportions. Date and time are used to simulate the correct lighting on the WTGs to give a very realistic result.

Required input data (Objects)

The objects necessary for preparing photomontages are entered in the windPRO BASIS module.

Wind turbines:

One or more WTGs are entered (position and type). The WTG can usually be found in the WTG Catalogue, which contains more than 1,000 different WTG types. In the WTG Catalogue, the WTG is described 3-dimensionally with dimensions and colours. Aviation lights can be defined for each WTG.

Camera object with camera model, landscape photo, etc:

The camera object contains all relevant visualization information as e.g. type of camera lens used, field of view for panoramas, the position and direction. The digital photo is attached and the EXIF properties from the file are inserted automatically. If you generate an artificial landscape it is not necessary to have any photo – instead enter specifications for the artificial landscape (colours, details, etc.). Photos from Google Earth Street View can also be imported directly into a camera object. Photomontage is fully compatible with other graphical software through the Post Process option.

Reference elements:

Control points, obstacle objects, existing wind turbines can be used as reference to calibrate the camera model very precisely. Using the height contours, the horizon line is a strong facilitator to make the calibration even faster.

3D landscape elements:

Area objects, line objects, obstacles and 3D objects can be assigned visual properties and used to bring artificial landscape elements into the photomontage. For example, landscape types from GIS systems can be imported into an area object and shown on the picture as forests, houses, lakes etc.

Calculation report

The report generator of the module offers a range of options for printing photos and maps.

The user may combine a map with specifications of the WTG project and camera position with a photo of the WTGs, a “before” and “after” image or two photos with alternative project presented on the same page. Of course, all photos and maps can also be printed as full page or exported in graphics file format for external professional printing. Photomontages can be exported to Google Earth where the “fly-in” option gives a good presentation of the project in public meetings.