This tutorial will walk you through the steps of importing georeferenced, high-resolution imagery into your Neara project and applying it as an overlay on a 3D terrain model. By using imagery as a terrain overlay, you gain a more detailed and contextualised view of your network. This precise visual layer enhances your ability to analyse and derive valuable insights from the network data.
High resolution imagery
High-resolution imagery is typically captured by satellites or aircraft equipped with precision cameras, often capable of achieving centimetre accuracy. This level of detail allows for clearer, more accurate views of the terrain or infrastructure.
Georeferenced imagery
Georeferenced imagery refers to image files that are linked to specific geographic locations through embedded spatial metadata. This means that the imagery includes information about where on Earth it is located, allowing it to align accurately in Neara.
Common file types
File type | Description |
.jpg (JPEG) | A widely-used image format that provides compressed, high-quality imagery. This format is ideal for storing large images in smaller file sizes. |
.jgw (JPEG world file) | A small text file that accompanies the .jpg image and contains the georeferencing data. It tells the software where the image is positioned geographically. |
.ecw (Enhanced Compressed Wavelet)* | A file format optimised for efficient storage and quick display of large geospatial images. It allows for significant compression without sacrificing much detail, making it useful for large-scale projects. |
.tiff (Tagged Image File Format)* | A high-quality image format often used for storing uncompressed, large datasets. When used for georeferenced imagery, it often comes with an associated world file (e.g., .tfw) for spatial alignment. |
*The Importer (beta) tool currently only supports .jpg and .jgw file types.
Terrain overlay
A terrain overlay is a visual layer placed on top of a 3D terrain model. This overlay aligns with the topography of the terrain, providing a realistic and detailed representation of the landscape, which improves the spatial context and clarity for analysis and decision-making. In Neara, the inbuilt visualisations for overlays include Google Satellite and Maps, OpenStreetMaps and ESRI World Imagery.
Using the Importer (beta)
Follow the steps below to import your imagery files into your Neara project using the Importer (beta) feature.
Open the "Importer (beta)" panel
Begin by enabling the Importer (beta) tool from the tools section of panel menu.
Click on "Imagery"
In the Importer panel, select the Imagery tab to start importing your files.
Drag your .jpg and .jgw file pairs into the box
Find the location of your imagery files on your computer. You will need to upload both the .jpg image file and its corresponding .jgw world file by dragging them into the designated area.
Check if the EPSG Code is Correct
Ensure that the correct EPSG code is selected for the coordinate reference system of your imagery. Adjust if necessary.
Click "Import"
Once your files are loaded and the EPSG code is confirmed, click the "Import" button.
Wait for the data import to complete
The software will process the imagery files. This may take a few moments depending on the file size.
Review the updated design
After the import is finished, navigate to where your imagery is located.