Visualisations – photomontage, ZVIs, ZTVs, Wireframe Illustrations

Our team has extensive experience producing visualisation material for a range of different projects, with a particular focus on wind farm developments.

Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV)

ZTV analysis is the process of determining the visibility of an object in the surrounding landscape. The process uses computer software modelling to predict where a proposal, in theory, could be seen from. The output from the analysis is used to create a map of visibility.

A ZTV map illustrates the theoretical visibility of the proposal in the landscape. The visibility is “theoretical” because the analysis does not take into account any landscape artefacts or screening, such as buildings or vegetation etc. The analysis is made on the basis of landform topography alone.

We are able to produce ZTVs to match your requirements, whether they are for a single project, or they have to take into account the potential cumulative impacts of several developments in close proximity.

Wireframes

ZTVs tend to exaggerate the actual visual effect of a wind farm, as they do not clearly indicate the effect of distance on the visual appearance. They are also difficult for non-specialists to interpret. Therefore it is also common to generate ‘visualisations’ of the appearance of the wind farm from defined viewpoints.

We are able to produce ‘wireframe’ drawings to illustrate the view from a particular viewpoint without the need for an underlying photograph.

For enhanced clarity, photomontages should be produced in which the wind turbines are superimposed upon photographs taken from specific viewpoints.

Photomontages

We have an excellent track record of producing high quality photographs and photomontages, using a combination of professional level digital photographic equipment and the latest software.

Our methodology has evolved over the years through consultation with Landscape Architects, software developers and our clients. As well as carrying out assessments, our consultants have previously been asked to check the accuracy and quality of visualisations produced by some of our competitors.

Whatever your requirements, we understand the scope of work that is necessary and we can tailor the best value option to suit you.

We are able to produce visualisations for all aspects of project work: from initial wireframes to give an idea of how a proposal would look from key viewpoints, through to working in conjunction with a Landscape Architect to produce a full Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) chapter, with all the required visualisations and other graphics for inclusion in an Environmental Statement.

We have the necessary expertise and experience in-house to produce visualisations for all types of work. We also have a network of Landscape Architects, with whom we are able to produce anything from a full EIA-standard LVIA chapter to a pared down assessment to suit, for example, sub-EIA projects.

Our team is able to provide your visualisations whether you need to commission a full LVIA or you are working within a limited budget and want to save costs by working to a reduced and specific scope of works.