3D: A NEW DIMENSION IN

PHOTO SIMS
We first discussed how our Wireless Services team uses photo simulations (commonly
referred to as photo sims) in a 2016 blog post.  We explained how photo sims depict
what a proposed site will look like upon completion, helping local jurisdictions and
property owners visualize a site’s design before construction approval.  The exciting
thing about technology, particularly in the Wireless industry, is that it’s always
changing.  Three years ago, we provided examples from our projects using 2D photo
sims.   Now we’re offering an updated look at how we’re using 3D technology to
produce simulations with more accuracy than ever before.
Prior to our current 3D techniques, creating photo sims involved finding pictures of
equipment that most resembled the proposed equipment and superimposing them onto
pictures of the existing site.  The final visual was accurate enough to aid in the design’s
approval, but there were some limitations.  What if a client needs to see the proposed
design from multiple perspectives? Where do you get a 2D picture of equipment that
doesn’t exist yet? What if the view needs to show the compound as well as the tower
and ground equipment?  There is only so much you can control working in 2D.  That’s
where 3D technology goes a step further in being able to customize a photo sim for
enhanced accuracy.
 
Using AutoCAD, our team can now “build” the exact equipment and materials that are
being proposed in the site design to scale.  We can even render the fencing and ground
equipment.  Next, the equipment, tower, and compound are lit according to average
lighting conditions in the photos and angled accordingly to provide perspective.  We
then superimpose these replications onto site walk photos using Photoshop.  The result
is as an accurate and realistic simulation of the proposed design.
 
Using AutoCAD, our team can now “build” the exact equipment and materials that are
being proposed in the site design to scale.  We can even render the fencing and ground
equipment.  Next, the equipment, tower, and compound are lit according to average
lighting conditions in the photos and angled accordingly to provide perspective.  We
then superimpose these replications onto site walk photos using Photoshop.  The result
is as an accurate and realistic simulation of the proposed design.
 3D rendering of equipment

Equipment rendering on site walk photo

An additional benefit of rendering the equipment in CAD is the ability to create short 3D
animations with 2D/3D geolocation overlays.  While it’s usually enough to see a photo
sim from a few head-on perspectives, it can be helpful to have a fly-through type visual
(see below).  Seeing a top-down view provides the most accurate sense of location and
scale of a site in relation to surrounding topography and landmarks.
Our goal is always to provide the most accurate and realistic photo simulations.  As we
continue to track and adopt emerging technology, it will be interesting to see if we can
provide another update in the future on how our process may be able to improve in
ways we can’t yet predict.