7 windPRO Visual 
 
7.0  windPRO Visual ...................................................................................................................................... 2 
  Introduction to Visualizations ..................................................................................................... 2 
  Step-by-step guide Performing Photomontage ......................................................................... 2 
  Step-by-step Guide Performing 2D-animation .......................................................................... 3 
7.1  VISUAL – Photomontage ....................................................................................................................... 4 
  Introduction to Photomontage ................................................................................................... 4 
  Calculation Methods in VISUAL Photomontage ........................................................................ 4 
  Photographing ........................................................................................................................... 4 
  Making a Photomontage ............................................................................................................ 5 
  Time Zone ............................................................................................................................... 5 
  Visualized Items ...................................................................................................................... 5 
  Camera Object ...................................................................................................................... 12 
  Photomontage Window......................................................................................................... 24 
  Calibrating the Camera Model .............................................................................................. 29 
  Calibrating the Camera Model – Horizon Line ..................................................................... 30 
  Calibrating the Camera Model - Control Points .................................................................... 32 
  Calibrating the Camera Model – Obstacle, Meteo, Existing WTG Objects .......................... 33 
  Calibrating the Camera Model – Wireframe ......................................................................... 34 
  Calibrating the Camera Model – Auto Optimisation ............................................................. 35 
  Calibrating the Camera Model – Tracelines ......................................................................... 37 
  Rendering ............................................................................................................................. 38 
  The Erase Tool (the Rubber) ................................................................................................ 39 
  Adjust Camera Position/ Information .................................................................................... 42 
  Adjust Light (color) ................................................................................................................ 43 
  Bitmap Elements ................................................................................................................... 44 
  Text Elements ....................................................................................................................... 45 
  Aviation Lights ...................................................................................................................... 49 
  Direction of Wind .................................................................................................................. 50 
  Link Streetview to Photomontage ......................................................................................... 51 
  Photomontage with artificial surface as background ............................................................... 51 
  Establishment of Elevation Data ........................................................................................... 52 
  Camera Model: Artificial Surface .......................................................................................... 52 
  Aerial Photo as Surface Wrapping ....................................................................................... 55 
  Exporting the Final Image ........................................................................................................ 57 
  Visual Report ........................................................................................................................ 57 
  Export as a File ..................................................................................................................... 58 
7.2  VISUAL – Animation (2D) ..................................................................................................................... 60 
  Calculation Methods in 2D Animation ..................................................................................... 60 
  Preparation – Individual Speed for Each Turbine .................................................................... 60 
  Generating an Animation ......................................................................................................... 61 
  Recording and Play a 2D Animation........................................................................................ 64 
7.3  VISUAL – SketchUp Integration .......................................................................................................... 65 
  Get Started with the SketchUp Integration Module ................................................................. 65 
 
 
 

Introduction to Visualizations 2

Introduction to Visualizations

The windPRO visualization modules are tools to assist with the assessment and documentation of the visual

impact from turbines sitting in the landscape when negotiating with planning authorities about the turbine sizes,

the number of turbines and the layout of wind farms.

There will always be different opinions on the visual impact of a turbine project in the landscape, but

visualizations can often settle the difference of opinion, and it will thus be possible to ensure the widest

possible support for the best project alternatives before the project is implemented.

In windPRO we have attempted to simplify the visualization process. This is why information on many of the

turbines on the market has been entered in the turbine catalogue (as described in Chapter 2, BASIS). This

way, one has only to place the turbines on a map and select the turbine type. The program will then render the

turbines taking into consideration such factors as lighting conditions, position of the Sun, wind direction, etc.

The turbines are placed in a landscape photo or in a digital landscape model.

Beside wind turbines, windPRO can visualize Solar PV panels when combined with the Solar module.

windPRO can actually visualize any objects defined as a dae file via the 3D object, such a power transmission

lines, buildings ... Finally, the line- and area object, WAsP obstacle and METEO object can be used in

visualizations, which makes it a powerful tool for controlling the data used in energy calculations.

Visualizations can roughly be divided into the following types:

• A photomontage in which turbines and/or Solar PV panels are placed in a landscape photo.

• A landscape analysis where turbines are placed in an artificial landscape calculated via digital

elevation data s in order to evaluate a project from any position contrary to the above where the

positions are “locked” by the specific points from which photos are available

• A “fixed position” animation (2D animation), where the rotor of the turbines rotate on a photomontage,

which can be published on the Internet.

Finally, the SketchUp Integration module allows to connect windPRO (and photomontages) to the SketchUp

software, which is an advanced 3D editing software. No special skills in SketchUp are required, the Integration

module makes it easy and fast to benefit from all the options offered in SketchUp.

Step-by-step guide Performing Photomontage

See also the introduction video.

❑ Establish map and proposed turbine/solar PV panels project (see BASIS 2.0.5)

❑ If available, load elevation data into a line object or elevation grid object. Use the Automatic Z value

from DHM for all objects and cameras (can be applied using the MultiEdit function)

❑ Establish a camera object. Pick the red camera object from right menu bar, place the cursor where the

photo is taken, click once, and click again near the site, in the general direction in which the photo was

taken. Load the photo (or switch on Artificial surface), set date, time and focal length if available (if

EXIF data in the photo file, these are automatically loaded).

❑ Click OK to launch the photomontage window. Insert control points on the map as reference objects

which are visible on the photo.

❑ Calibrate the camera model – this is best achieved using control points – Adjust pan, tilt, rotation and

focal length in the left menu bar of the photo as required. Remember to adjust z-values to reasonable

ones (especially if you don’t use height contours) in order to get your sketch turbines inside the photo.

❑ The horizon line (in yellow) is very handy to check the camera model. The yellow line must follow the

landscape on the photo (if elevation data are available far enough out in the landscape).

❑ Click the render button in the menu bar on the top of the photo. NOTE: By default, all objects in visible

layers are rendered, so use the layer structure (see Chapter 2.11 BASIS) to select which turbines, PV

panels, 3D objects to render.

❑ Rub out parts of turbine or PV panels that should be behind trees etc.

Step-by-step Guide Performing 2D-animation 3

❑ Export the photomontage as an image or from the calculation menu, run VISUAL: Photomontage to

generate a report and printout.

Step-by-step Guide Performing 2D-animation

❑ Continue from 7.0.2 If rotor parts will be behind trees etc. during rotation, rub these parts (even if

no turbine part is visible, rub out in any case – finally render the turbine on top of the part to be

rubbed out to make sure that the right pixels will be removed.

❑ Click on the red button in the photomontage (Create animation) in the top toolbar.

❑ Save the animated "movie" in windPRO format or other and start animation.

❑ You can now send the animation file or use it on a web site using the flash format.

Introduction to Photomontage 4

Introduction to Photomontage

A photomontage means to take a photo and then superimpose the proposed changes (i.e. the new turbines)

on top of this photo. The method has been used for many years to document the visual impact of a planned

project of many different kinds, e.g. bridges, power plants, new roads etc.

Another use of the photomontage is to measure or check different elements in the landscape, for example,

local obstacles or positions of measurement masts. With good photos and digital height contour lines, it is

possible to measure positions with accuracy of around 1 meter, which is far more accurate than GPS logging

with standard GPS equipment. As an extra advantage, the positions relative to the height contour lines and the

precision of the height contour lines can be checked, which are extremely important for measurement masts.

Calculation Methods in VISUAL Photomontage

The technique behind a photomontage is to establish a camera model that can transform any point with known

elevation and coordinates from a map to a 2-dimensional photo. Once the camera model is established, the

camera model can position a 3-dimensional model of a turbine, PV table or any 3D objects into the image with

the correct proportions. The surface of the rendered object is controlled by various parameters. Some of these

parameters are linked to the turbine (colour, reflection, etc.), and others are linked to the weather conditions at

the time when the photo was taken (Sun position, brightness, haziness, etc.). We have tried hard to simplify

the set-up of these parameters: The Sun position is calculated by the program based on time of day, date, time

zone, latitude/longitude and camera viewing direction. The weather is described through simple choices such

as: clear sky, light overcast, heavily overcast, etc.

Photographing

The camera reduces the image quality, so be sure to use a camera with a good quality lens, preferably a

single lens reflex camera that generally brings less distortion through the lens. A large format camera gives

you a better quality, but it is not crucial for making good visualizations.

The focal length of the camera lens should be between 35 and 70 mm, however local regulations may stipulate

a specific value. The standard focal length, which preserves the proportions of the photo as close to what the

eye sees as possible, is defined as the diagonal field of view on the 36x24mm film format which corresponds

to approx. 43°. If possible, use a fixed focal length lens, i.e. not a zoom lens, to make the calibration of the

camera model easier. Most of modern digital cameras provide with the information about the focal length.

Please refer to the corresponding section.

To keep the camera in a horizontal position (for a good presentation purposes), you can use a tripod and a

level.

The photo should be taken in landscape format, although the software also works with portrait format, which

sometimes can be useful, for example, when checking the measurement heights of a met mast.

If you plan to make a photomontage on a stitched photo (panorama), it is important to ensure a perfect

stitching of the individual photos. Make sure that all images are taken from exactly the same viewpoint (the

rotational plane of the sensor) using at least a tripod. More in particular: the camera should be rotated around

the 'no parallax point' (sometimes referred to as the 'nodal point') of the lens. For most lenses this point is

located near the front element; since it does not coincide with the tripod screw of the camera, you will need to

use a so-called panorama head on top of your tripod if very high accuracy is important. If the camera is not

rotated exactly around this point, parallax errors will occur, preventing a perfect stitch. Check for the

horizontality of each photo. Make sure that the images have an overlap of about 1/3 of the width of the photo.

While taking the photo it is recommended to ensure that the elements in the landscape that will be used to

calibrate the photomontage are available on the photo. It is recommended to have a good calibration point

both on the left and right in the photo and at least 500 m from the camera.

Making a Photomontage 5

When and where to take the photo:

• Good weather with the Sun in the back makes for high photo quality.

• The best distance is within 500 to 5000 m from the planned WTGs.

• Find points the local people are familiar with (roads, viewpoints etc.), although local authorities may

instruct you to use specific viewpoints.

Last but not least, be sure of the exact position at which the photo has been taken. You can use an external

GPS or a camera with GPS and/or a manual positioning from an aerial map with high resolution.

Making a Photomontage

In the following, a typical procedure for the photomontage work will be outlined from the point where the photo

is saved on your local or network drive.

Some examples can also be found on the DEMO projects, included in the windPRO installation (in folder

windPRO Data\Samples\, see BASIS manual to download the Sample projects).

Check also EMD’s YouTube tutorials to get inspiration on different visualization related topics:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecwQZR1hJfU&list=PL6zroSoHTqaNZw8Pd7749w8cZSKYshOxY&pp=iAQ

The first step is to establish the necessary project information including links to bitmap maps. Although the

visualization can be made without the use of a digital map these should be used whenever possible, as you

will benefit from the significant time saving facilities and other advantages, which are linked to the use of maps.

Details concerning input of project information and linking of maps are described in Chapter 2, BASIS.

Time Zone

The program converts the local time into Global Standard Time, e.g. GMT, using the time zone and the local

time, which is linked to the photo in question and defined in the project properties. The global standard time,

the date and geographical position (latitude/longitude which the program calculates from the map used) are

used to calculate the sun position for correct light settings.

Visualized Items

On the map you can then enter turbines and other objects directly on-screen.

1.3.2.1 Wind turbines,

You will find a detailed description of how to input turbines in BASIS Chapter 2.5.

The appearance of a given turbine model rendered in a photomontage is defined in the visual data of the

turbine type in the wind turbine catalogue (see section 2.6.4.6 Chapter 2. BASIS). If no visual data is

available, a standard model will be used.

Note that the angle of the blade rendered in a photomontage is defined under the Rotor angle input in the

Visual tab of a given wind turbine object (see section 2.5.2.4 Chapter 2. BASIS). If no value is defined,

windPRO chooses a random value.