Zmapping Applications

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Heights restrictions	Sun/Shadow studies	Emergency planning
Planning	Traffic layout	Crime scene investigations
Strategic views	Public consultation	Mast installations
Photomontage	3D GIS integration	Environmental studies
Visualisation	Rapid prototype models

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Height Restrictions:
As the images demonstrate, any buildings that might violate local height restrictions can be detected with ease. This technique can be applied to many other aspects of the planning process such as drainage, earth fill and flooding.

FAQ: accuracy

A transparent film at level +115 reveals construction above and below that level.

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1) Zmapping model of an urban area in its current state.	2) Roads and ground are modelled to existing terrain levels.	3) New buildings can be added to show stages of development.	4) An entire neighbourhood can thus be created by mixing the existing and the proposed.

Planning:
This series of images shows how easy it is to take existing objects out and add in new proposals. This method can be used not only for buildings and large-scale masterplans, but also for new road or traffic layouts, subways, park areas, landscaping and even lakes. Photorealism can be added by applying photographs of the actual buildings around the site, and items can also be rendered to taste. Animations and real time walk-throughs and fly-throughs can be created and exported as movie files or interactive VRML files for release over the Internet.

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Strategic Views:
A simple, yet powerful, application. A high-rise building (red) is being proposed in close proximity to a church (green) in this town. How will the views of the church change from the critical viewpoints around town?

Inserting the architect’s model of the high-rise building into our town model means various views can now be verified independently in a matter of minutes.

Views can be captured from any position and in any direction. ‘Camera’ settings such as field of view and height from ground level can be set to match that of a person standing in a particular position, viewing a particular building. Verifying the views of a site from important locations is a key use. Animations can be created to simulate a person walking along the street looking towards the building.

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1) Photo + 3D	2) Photograph	3) 3D model	4) 3D model	5) 3D model	6) Photo + 3D

A typical photomontage. Is the height of the new building correct in relation to the existing surroundings?	Take street level photo noting the camera position (XY on OS map plus height from ground), together with lens settings.	Orient 3D model to match photo. Use the camera settings previously noted to make this accurate.	Insert the new building into the 3D model and render. This gives exact size and position…	... of the new building in relation to the surrounding buildings. Simply cut out the new building …	… and paste into the photograph. Now compare with the first image.

Photomontage:
For many projects, architects produce photomontages combining a computer generated rendering of the new building with an actual photograph from a nearby street. With no definitive way of determining the actual position and scale of the rendered image in relation to the photograph, the results can sometimes be far from reality. The method above is increasingly being used as a way to verify and correctly position images in relation to their surroundings. Furthermore, portions of the street level photos can be extracted and attached to the 3D model.

Visualisation:
Visualisation, in essence, includes many of the other applications mentioned on this website and much more. Once a 3D model of the surroundings is created, renderings can be created to any level of detail, complexity and realism. The model can be used to build proposed developments and visualise their aesthetics. The example below shows how a car park area may be converted into a green space with trees. Similarly, water features, street furniture and gardens can be modelled to visualise their impact. Our model represents the actual existing terrain and objects such as roads, pavements and trees can be modelled exactly as they are.

Experience shows that, when consulting the public, buildings and objects whose shape, look and texture match the real thing as closely as possible are by far the most effective.

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1) Texture the model with street level photos. This can be used create animations and real-time presentations.	2) Add a handful of trees, shrubs and flowering plants. Verify views from anywhere in minutes.	3) Create animations, interactive Internet contents and alternate designs. Carry out accurate sunlight studies.	4) Capture views from anywhere, add street furniture, traffic layouts, fountains and water features in the town.	Back to top

Sun/Shadow studies: Digital models make it possible to simulate a range of events from the comfort of one’s desk. Our models being accurate in their geographic positioning as well as in their dimensions and levels, reliable shadow studies and lighting analyses can be conducted. Simply enter the time and date in order to animate shadows during any particular season.		Click images to enlarge


		This methods makes it possible to find out how much light a proposed building will block for neighbouring offices and residential dwellings. It is also possible to pinpoint the times of day or year when a certain room in a building will get maximum and minimum sunlight. Back to top