Photo Simulation

Summary

Photo simulation communicates the potential effects of planning, development and design decisions on a community’s existing conditions by showing before and after photographs of a project site.

Tool Description

Photo simulation, also referred to as photomontage or digital reimaging, communicates potential new design and development impacts, including streetscaping, new buildings, transportation, and other projects, through the use of before and after photographs. This technique aids community decision making by providing an easy-to-visualize evaluation of potential project impacts.

Photo simulations begin with a digital photograph of a building, landscape or other existing condition within a community. Software is then used to edit the image by adding and removing elements (for example, the proposed building in a development proposal) to compare the before and after conditions. The level of sophistication of the final product can vary, and might include the use of three-dimensional modeling software.

This sample set of guidelines from the City of Berkeley, California outlines the requirements for photo simulation use as a communication tool in that community: http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/uploadedFiles/Online_Service_Center/Plannin... By enforcing specific standards, the city can better ensure that any photo simulation accurately describes existing conditions and the potential impacts the proposed project.

Skills needed

Required skills depend on the level of sophistication of the photo simulation, and can range from basic photo editing capabilities to more advanced use of three dimensional modelling software.

Summary of Costs

The cost can range considerably depending on the quality of the photo simulation. If advanced computer and design skills and the required software are already available with existing staff and resources, photo simulation can be done at no additional cost. Paying for outside expertise could run anywhere from hundreds to even thousands of dollars for a series of complex images.

Strengths

  • In comparison to contracted artwork or physical models and other representation techniques, this is a relatively low-cost tool to present potential project impacts to the public.

Limitations

  • This tool relies on the accuracy of the images that are presented and the potential for misrepresentation of a project is possible.

Applications

  • Communications
  • Decision-making
  • Engagement and outreach
  • Scenario planning
  • Visualization

Other Examples

Sources

  • Local Government Commission, Participation Tools for Better Community and Land Use Planning, http://www.lgc.org/freepub/community_design/participation_tools/computer_simulation.html, accessed 08/18/2011.
  • Placematters, What if You Could Really See What it Would Look Like, http://placematters.org/content/what-if-you-could-really-see-what-it-would-look, accessed 08/18/2011
Submitted By: emytkowicz
Last Updated: August 19, 2011, 8:19 am

Submitted by Sandy Eslinger (not verified) on Sun, 12/04/2011 - 07:15.

Great suggestions for planning visualizations! Thought you might want to know about a free and very easy to use tool for this type of visualization that comes with an image library and training. http://www.csc.noaa.gov/digitalcoast/tools/canvis/

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