Aerial survey specialist Bluesky, based in Lecestershire, has created a highly detailed digital photomap of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in South Wales from archive survey images. Using original film rolls from the early 1990s Bluesky scanned and georeferenced more than 1,000 individual images to create the map-accurate dataset of the Gower Peninsula for the Central Register of Aerial Photography for Wales, part of the Welsh Assembly Government. The images are part of an archive of more than 500,000 historically important photographs, dating back to the 1960s and covering the whole of England, Wales and large parts of Scotland, which are exclusively available from Bluesky.   

The Central Register of Aerial Photography for Wales maintains information about all major aerial survey cover of Wales, as well as holding an extensive collection of aerial photographs dating back to the 1940s. The Central Register is a comprehensive source of information and advises all interested parties including divisions of the Government, public and private sector organisations and members of the public.

“This dataset will complement our existing digital collection as we already hold cover of this area from 2000 and 2006,” said Derek Elliott, Aerial Photographs Officer. “The digital dataset is easy to use and demonstrates the potential that exists both within this and other archive collections.”

The original images are part of a historical aerial photography collection housed and managed by Bluesky. Dating from the early 1960s the collection comprises over 360,000 individual frames stored on 2,000 rolls of film covering the whole of England and Wales and a large proportion of Scotland, at scales ranging from 1: 2,500 to 1:25,000, in black and white and also colour.

“This is the first time these images have been available in this form,” said James Eddy, Technical Director of Bluesky. “By using state-of-the-art technology we can produce 21st century solutions from 20th century images, creating a valuable, and irreplaceable, record of landscape change and providing a valuable tool for monitoring coastal erosion, land use change, boundary disputes, urban growth and rural decline as well as providing individuals with an historical record of their own property or neighbourhood.”

Bluesky is a UK-based specialist in aerial imaging and remote sensing data collection and processing.  An internationally recognised leader with projects extending around the globe, Bluesky has unrivalled expertise in the creation of seamless, digital aerial photography, 3D landscape/cityscape visualisations, and 3D prints.  Bluesky also runs a national mapping centre, providing digital maps, site plans, satellite imagery, aerial photography and ultra-high resolution imagery of cities and towns. 

Part of Exeter has been turned into a virtual reality 3D model using data from aerial mapping company Bluesky.  The dynamic 3D computer visualisation, commissioned by Devon County Council, has been designed to support a public consultation for a new park and ride scheme.  Combining highly accurate 3D representations of every building in the locality with detailed aerial photography the Bluesky model is being used to illustrate the effect of the scheme on the local environment, providing residents with an accurate view of the scheme.

The model was created from 10cm resolution aerial photography and a Digital Terrain Model (DTM), to produce the base onto which the proposed park and ride facility and related infrastructure was overlaid. Using modelling and animation software from Autodesk the Council was able to create a number of animation sequences to highlight the proportions of the site in its real world context and its impact on the surrounding environment.

“The 3D model and aerial imagery from Bluesky were central to our communication with local residents and other interested parties during the public consultation phase of this project,” commented Ben Naylor 3D Modelling Engineer. “The accuracy of the data gave us complete confidence in our presentation and the real world detail was crucial in helping people to understand the effect of the development on the surrounding environment and the measures we were proposing to minimise its impact to local residents.”

The 3D building data is part of a new range of off the shelf geographic data solutions from Bluesky. Created from the most up-to-date, high-resolution aerial photography, Bluesky 3D building models map every building over 100 cubic metres and have an accuracy of 60cm or less. The models also include road and vegetation detail, coupled with an underlying Digital Terrain Map (DTM), placing the urban representation in its true world context.

Bluesky is a UK-based specialist in aerial imaging and remote sensing data collection and processing.  An internationally recognised leader with projects extending around the globe Bluesky is proud to work with prestigious organisations such as Google, the BBC and Government Agencies, Bluesky has unrivalled expertise in the creation of seamless, digital aerial photography, 3D landscape/cityscape visualisations and prints and also runs a national mapping centre, providing digital mapping, satellite imagery and aerial photography including ultra-high resolution imagery of cities and towns.

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