Nearmap 3D & DSM content offers wide-scale, photo-realistic 3D models and elevation datasets for infrastructure projects across Australia and North America.

This page provides accuracy specifications and more for each 3D content type. The following information is covered here:

Coverage

Use our interactive coverage map to see if we currently cover your locations of interest.

https://www.nearmap.com/au/en/current-aerial-maps-coverage#/coverage-checker (this URL will resolve to your region's content).

Using 3D in MapBrowser


Textured Mesh


Resolution


Textured MeshNotes

3D Mesh Geometric

6" or 15 cm


Approximate distance between mesh vertices in high detail areas.

3D Mesh Texture/Imagery Resolution 2.2-3" or 5.6-7.6 cm  Range given since some parts are textured with oblique imagery. 

You can view textured mesh in Cesium 3D Tiles format in MapBrowser.

Export File Contents

  • SLPK
  • Cesium 3D Tiles
  • OSGB
  • OBJ 
  • FBX

For more information, see  Textured Mesh File Contents.

Viewing 3D Textured Mesh in Third-Party Applications

You can view Nearmap 3D Textured Mesh content in several third-party applications. For more information, see Textured mesh content in third-party applications.

Product Constraints

3D reconstruction is determined by the ability to reliably resolve objects from at least two different viewing angles.

Objects hidden or occluded would not be reconstructed reliably, as well as: 

  • Ambiguous features, such as reflective surfaces, featureless surfaces, thin features, and complex features such as trees
  • Objects that are less than 40cm in size 
  • Objects that are beneath another object, or semi-obstructed



DSM (Digital Surface Model)

GSD

6" or 15 cm

Export File Contents

  • GeoTIFF
  • ASCII

For more information, see DSM File Contents

Viewing DSM in Third-Party Applications

You can view Nearmap 3D DSM content in several third-party applications. For more information, seem DSM in third-party applications

Product Constraints

3D reconstruction is determined by the ability to reliably resolve objects from at least two different viewing angles.

Objects hidden or occluded would not be reconstructed reliably, as well as: 

  • Ambiguous features, such as reflective surfaces, featureless surfaces, thin features, and complex features such as trees
  • Objects that are less than 40cm in size 
  • Objects that are beneath another object, or semi-obtruded



Point Cloud

GSD

6" or 15 cm

Export File Contents

  • LAS

For more information, see Point Cloud File Contents

Viewing 3D Point Cloud in Third-Party Applications

You can view Nearmap 3D Point Cloud content in several third-party applications. For more information, see Point Cloud in third-party applications

Product Constraints

3D reconstruction is determined by the ability to reliably resolve objects from at least two different viewing angles.

  • Objects hidden or occluded would not be reconstructed reliably.
  • Typical sensible point spacing would be around 15 cm (i.e. consistent with our 3D resolution), however larger or smaller spacing can be supported.
  • The point cloud will not contain any extra information than the textured mesh; if we cannot resolve in the mesh, the point cloud will also be the same.
  • Point cloud will likely be significantly larger in file size than the 3D mesh. Specialized software can optimize the storage of point cloud to make it perform better
  • The  point  cloud is unclassified in the sense that points are not labelled as ground, tree, building, etc. as is often done for Lidar point clouds. 



True Ortho

Export File Contents

  • GeoTIFF
  • JPEG
  • ASCII

For more information, see True Ortho File Contents.

Viewing True Ortho in Third-Party Applications

You can view Nearmap 3D DSM content in several third-party applications. For more information, see True Ortho in third-party applications

Product Constraints

The Nearmap True Ortho product is derived from the Nearmap 3D reconstruction and could be considered a flattened textured mesh. Objects poorly reconstructed in 3D will also lack high resolution in the True Ortho product.

Although Nearmap's True Ortho is an image similar in appearance to the regular vertical (ortho) product, it has a 5cm pixel size and is lower in resolution than the standard product.



DEM/DTM (Digital Elevation Model/Digital Terrain Model)

Resolution

MapBrowser export options include 30 cm (1 ft) / 60 cm (2 ft)/ 90 cm (3 ft) based on a source 15cm GSD. Offline exports can be based on these resolutions or user-defined.

Export File Contents

  • GeoTIFF

For more information, see DTM File Contents

Viewing DTM in Third-Party Applications

This is a new content offering. Watch this space for guidance on consuming this content type in third-party applications.


File Formats and Delivery Methods

3D ProductFile FormatsDelivery Methods

Textured Mesh

OBJ

SLPK

3MX

Cesium

FBX

  • Export from  MapBrowser (if under 50 square kilometres)
  • Secure Cloud transfer
Point CloudLAS
DSM

GeoTIFF

True Ortho
DEM/DTM

Horizontal Accuracy

3D ProductAbsolute Horizontal Accuracy Horizontal Datum/Projection

Textured Mesh

11" or 28 cm RMSEr



SLPK exports: WGS84/UTM
Cesium exports: ECEF in addition to the datum listed below
DSM
  • WGS84/UTM
  • GDA94/MGA - AU
  • GDA2020/MGA- AU
  • NAD83/UTM - US/CA
  • NAD83/SPCS- US/CA
Point Cloud
True Ortho
DEM/DTM

Vertical Accuracy

3D ProductAbsolute Vertical Accuracy Vertical Datum/Projection

Textured Mesh

14.9" or 37.8 cm RMSEz


SLPK exports: WGS84/UTM
Cesium exports: ECEF in addition to the ones listed below
DSM
  • AHD (AusGeoid09) - AU
  • NAVD88 - US/CA
  • EGM2008 - US/CA
  • CGVD2013 - US/CA
Point Cloud
True OrthoN/A
DEM/DTM14.9" or 37.8 cm RMSEz  (Valid for bare earth areas)As listed above


FAQs


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