Visually Verified Montages For the Planning Submission Process

A VVM (Visually Verified Montage) is the precise joining of a 3 dimensional design and an original photograph.

To create a VVM the important steps have to be carried out: 1. Using a digital camera, take a high-resolution photograph, remembering to take note of your location. 2. Take note of any lampposts, road signs and eave levels. Record it in a survey data, as it will then be converted into AutoCAD format. 3. Design your 3D model of the planned and original survey points. 4. Match reference points – virtual to real world. 5. Combine your photographs with the 3D image.

This is just a brief pointer as to the development of a VVM. A full in depth guide can be found at http://www.urban3d.net/3D-Architectural-Visualisation/vmm/visuallyverified.html.

This technique is put in use when there is a continuing issue with the town planners, if a new structure or building does not follow the same characters as the surrounding buildings. The town planners will then look for a VVM to be made. This will give the planners a chance to see how the building will look along side other buildings. With a 3D outlook on the proposed building, as opposed to only having a 2D drawing, will give planners a clearer image of the building and how it will look along side original surroundings. With a 3D image, decisions can usually be make quicker.

Property developers will also use VVM to sell their property. Having the structures created into 3D images is a great marketing scheme for developers. It gives them the opportunity to show the buyers what the property will look like once completed. This attracts buyers as they have the excitement and buzz of knowing what their future property will look like. A VVM is used with different technique when selling to a buyer as appose to designing it for town planners. When creating VVM for a town planner you want the building to look like its always been there, you want it to blend in. Using photographs of the surroundings on a dull day give this effect. Whereas if developers want to use VVM to sell property, the weather conditions should be sunny and bright. The VVM must stand out and look attractive to the buyer. Using nighttime shots are also very effective as up lighters can emphasize the building.

I will finish by saying that I personally think that VVM’s should be adopted in every instance when public money (our money) is spent to finance any new structure be it a bridge, public amenity space or something small like new footpaths. For too long now buildings seem to sprout up overnight with no thought gone into how the public are going to use that space. The public is never asked for their opinion on how best the area could be utilised. It is after all going to be used by the public so surely they should have an input into the process from the outset. By giving the public a voice I think we will see the end of money being wasted on structure/buildings the public neither need nor want.

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