PeakVisor
Dual window views for any global location: (1) a 2-D map & (2) a 3-D rendered terrain model, with photo fitting, shade/slope mapping, sun trails & weather data. In active development for OS research.
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Description
Multi-Functional Open Source Research Using PeakVisor
PeakVisor is a multi-function OSINV tool for examining high-accuracy geographic data in the form of 2D and 3D maps and rendered terrain models of near-photographic quality. This geographic data is also overlaid with detailed sun/moon, slope, shadow, elevation and, where available, weather information. PeakVisor is a leading tool for dramatic terrains, e.g. mountains, coastlines, canyons...
Beware that PeakVisor comes in 2 versions: the Web-Based App, used for Open Source research, described here, and the Smartphone App, used for outdoor navigation, which has significantly different functionality. Online resources can mislead as they often don't specify which version they cover.
This article covers the Web-Based PeakVisor Version for Open Source research. The 2 PeakVisor versions were developed for separate purposes...(click panel arrow for more)
PeakVisor was first developed as a navigation/orientation smartphone app for mountaineers, skiers and hikers, and uses mobile phone inputs like GPS location, compass, etc. in this version of the app. It delivers augmented reality outputs where maps are superimposed over the live camera view on the mobile phone to fix location by matching map to camera views.
The web-based version has been developed specifically for Open Source research since 2022 via the POPSI project (on X/Twitter: @PVforOSINV). It allows users to input numerical values to describe 3D geographical viewpoints in terms of latitude, longitude, altitude, pitch, yaw, roll and horizontal angle of view. It superimposes maps over geolocation source imagery to fix location by matching map to historic recorded views. This article covers the web-based version for Open Source research. This is best used with a large screen and an exact pointing device like a mouse. A free login is required to access all features.
Open Source Research With PeakVisor: Use Cases, Data Input, PeakVisor Outputs, How to Enter Data...(Click the four tabs to access details)
Location co-ordinates (latitude and longitude)
Altitudes (height above sea level)
Viewpoint orientation angles (pitch, yaw, and roll)
Field of view/focal length angles (degrees/mm)
Dates (dd/mmyyyy)
Times (hh:mm)
Sun/moon positions (azimuth and elevation angles in degrees)
Source imagery
Geographic paths ([lat1, long1],[lat2, long2], [lat3, long3]...)
Pixel in a 3D panorama (on-screen pixel select by user)
3D rendered terrain models
PhotoFits of 3D terrain overlaid with user source imagery
Distances between locations
Elevation plots (x axis = distance along path, y axis = elevation)
3D and 2D maps with associated, readable values for
Location (latitude and longitude)
Altitude
Vewpoint orientation (pitch, yaw, and roll)
Field of view/focal length angles (degrees/mm)
Sun/moon positions (azimuth and elevation angles in degrees)
Shadows (map with shadow areas showing dark against light terrain)
Weather
Slopes (map with slope areas showing coloured against light terrain)
USE CASES: PeakVisor allows Open Source Researchers to geolocate and chronolocate source images by matching terrain profiles, sun/moon trails, shadows, slopes and weather.
There is often more than one method to input data in the PeakVisor interface. Some involve typing information into text boxes in the graphical interface, some involve editing the Browser Address Bar url (considered a short cut), and some involve mouse pointer interaction directly with maps, calendars and sliders. Here is a summary table:
PhotoFitting: PeakVisor's Most Powerful Geolocation Feature:
PeakVisor's most widely-used and praised feature to date is that it provides a geolocation "PhotoFit" function - see below.
PhotoFit superimposes the outline of PeakVisor's 3D rendered terrain model at the User's Test Location over the User's uploaded source image to try to find a match...(click panel arrow for more)
As a PhotoFit user you can:-
Upload a photograph you are trying to geolocate using the Toolbar Camera icon.
Specify the location which you want to test as potentially being the location shown in the photograph.
Generate a rendered model of the terrain at a given location, which PeakVisor creates from its high quality global LIDAR satellite & map data.
Superimpose PeakVisor's terrain model outline over your photograph and adjust the location, orientation and field of view of the terrain model to try to match very exactly to determine whether the photograph and test co-ordinates are the same place.
PeakVisor will not search for a matching location for your source imagery, you must provide a test location, i.e. a "guess" in order to use PhotoFit for confirmation. Obviously you can repeat the process, testing different locations, until hopefully a match is found.
IFF the PeakVisor terrain outline fits very well over the same characteristic features in the photograph, then this is very strong evidence of an accurate geolocation. The more points of inflexion* there are in the contours being fitted, the stronger the confirmation of location. The example above is a very visually obvious geolocation, chosen to demonstrate the principle. The source image (a photograph of the Matterhorn mountain) has been uploaded to PeakVisor in "Explorer" view, and the user is moving the red silhouette of the model (which PeakVisor generated at the test location) across the photograph to try to adjust it to fit. * Point of inflexion = change in direction
PhotoFit Adjustment Can Be Time-Consuming: The user has a selection of variables which can be adjusted to obtain an image match: viewpoint location, viewpoint angles of pitch, yaw and roll, viewpoint field of view/focal length.
Remember that the camera may have moved or zoomed between images if your source imagery is a 'spliced' panorama, so the goodness of fit may change between panels.
Visually, changing Field of View and changing Viewpoint Location can appear confusingly similar. They are not the same thing: the first is like zooming a telescope to change the view whilst remaining stationary, the second is moving closer or further away to change the view. Generally, changing Viewpoint Location is the more important means of obtaining a good geolocation PhotoFit.
Most cameras are set to around 60 degree Field of View. Exceptions which would justify changing the Field of View to obtain a fit are the use of zoom, security camera imagery, which often uses high angle 'fish eye' lenses.
The PhotoFit feature is particularly useful where local "Streetview" imagery is not available, e.g. in the usual sources like Google Earth, Google Maps, Yandex Maps, Mapillary, etc., either
because no images have been taken, e.g. in a very remote area OR
because they are unavailable for geopolitical reasons, e.g. war, government intervention.
Data Quality in PeakVisor
PeakVisor is often used in conjunction with Google Earth Pro for geolocation research because some locations which can be recognised using PeakVisor 3D rendered models cannot be identified using Google Earth Pro. (Click panel arrow for more)
This is because PeakVisor's high data quality (from LIDAR satellite and maps), and realistic image rendering, capture small details in the terrain which make it identifiable. Whereas Google Earth presents more smoothed, less characteristic terrain models. This is particularly likely in extreme terrains such as mountains, canyons and coastlines.
Use PeakVisor in conjunction with other tools like Google Earth Pro and satellite imagery to obtain the fullest understanding of Test terrain and environment for which geolocation is needed. Exploit the differences of these tools, e.g. Google tools are quick to cover terrain in real time, strong on time-stamped historical data, strong on local photographic imagery, weak on exact photographic location, unclear on photographic aspect. PeakVisor is weak on cityscapes, sparse on local photographic imagery, slower to switch viewpoint, but strong on orientation, clear on numeric viewshed data and strong on distance measurement in 3D panoramas.
Data Download from PeakVisor
PeakVisor provides an elevation data download feature for a maximum ground surface rectangle area equating to 0.5 degrees square of latitude and longitude. The user can define the location and shape of the download rectangle data and save it as a *.png file in the Data tab of the PROFILE page.
FIVE Different Views for Terrain in PeakVisor
3D Map view feature is temporarily disabled as at 23/8/25, pending review.
Explorer View (3D rendered terrain model displayed with 2D Map View)
3D Map View- Temporarily disabled as at 23/8/25
As well as Explorer View, which always displays a 3D rendered terrain model of a given location next to 2D Map View, PeakVisor provides a number of other view types for its topological data:, 3D Map View, Hike Map View, and Ski Map view. These are accessible from the Drop Down menu under Explorer in the Toolbar - see below:
VIEW ONE: "Explorer" View (3D Rendered Terrain Model)
Currently the default PeakVisor view after the landing page, shown simultaneously with the 2D Map in a smaller window on the left of the screen. View from a specific user-defined altitude (ground level by default), no contour lines, a few map labels, full terrain simulation (no buildings), date, sun/moon phase & time of day simulation.... (Click panel arrow for more)
Sun and moon trail feature accessible from this view, with date and time input
Left Mouse Down moves two viewing angles (pitch and yaw)
SHIFT + Arrow Keys move viewpoint location (latitude and longitude)
On-screen slider adjusts altitude
SHIFT + C changes colour of rendered 3D terrain outline
SHIFT + L toggles peak name labels on and off
SHIFT + P toggles centre screen cross-hairs on and off
PhotoFit feature invoked from this view using the Camera Icon on the Toolbar
Special Functions of Explorer View
Teleport to a Different User-Selected Viewpoint: SHIFT + Left Mouse Click... (Click panel arrow for more)
In 3D Explorer View it is possible to select a point in the rendered terrain model from the 3D Explorer View. This is done by pressing SHIFT and then Left Mouse Clicking over the pixel at the desired location.
A red map pin labelled with '?' in white is drawn at the chosen spot.
A subwindow appears, showing the co-ordinates of the point, its elevation and its distance from the viewpoint.
This subwindow has a large blue "Teleport" button, which refreshes the panorama to a viewpoint at the chosen new location
The developers have reports of problem using the Teleport function from users and look to resolve them by July 24 during an major upgrade.
Measure Distance from the Viewpoint to a User-Selected Point: SHIFT + Left Mouse Click... (Click panel arrow for more)
The distance displayed in the subwindow upon SHIFT + Left Mouse Click on the Explorer view panorama is the distance between the observer, the user-selected viewpoint location, and the object which has just been highlighted. It is simultaneousy displayed on the 2D Map as a blue line between the viewpoint (white map pin with arrow) and the chosen location (red map pin).
The Distance measurement feature can be used as a rapid way to determine lines of sight, i.e. using PeakVisor output we can say "If this image was taken at location L1, then the following features would be visible because there is a line of sight to their locations from L1 (and vice versa)." Where the horizon is chosen as line of sight, this can be a very useful way to determine what should and should not be visible from a given location.
Sun and Moon Trail Calculations: Use SHIFT + P with time slider to explore the relationship between location, date, time, sun azimuth and sun elevation... (Click panel arrow for more)
Use the subwindow under the Sun icon on the left sidebar to set Date on the calendar
Use the timeslider in the subwindow under the Sun icon to set Time
Switch on the centre screen cross hairs using SHIFT P to allow exact positioning and measurement
Move the sun across the sky using the time slider in the left sidebar
Place the sun in the centre of the cross hairs to read off accurate azimuth (yaw) and elevation (pitch) angles.
The PeakVisor view above could be used to test whether the location, time and date of geolocation source imagery were consistent and feasible, e.g. at the test location, could the sunset still be visible from the viewpoint at the time and date claimed?
When the sun is centre screen in the PeakVisor Explorer view, the yaw value in the Browser address bar url is the azimuth angle of the sun, and the pitch value is the elevation angle.
There are also view types for Skiers and Hikers, each of which has functionality useful for Open Source research:
VIEW TWO: 2D Map View
By default, this view is shown in a small left hand window next to a larger Explorer View rendered terrain in the right hand window, though it is possible to maximise 2D Map View as needed... (Click panel arrow for more)
from altitude directly overhead above chosen viewpoint, including elevation contour lines and map feature labels, no terrain simulation
Left Mouse Down over the background allows the user to move around the map
Left Mouse down over the Map Pin allows the user to move the viewpoint of the Explorer View model
VIEW THREE: 3D Map View - temporarily disabled pending review
Chosen from the View Selection Drop Down in the menu bar. View from an altitude above chosen viewpoint, including elevation contour lines and map feature labels, no terrain simulation.... (Click panel arrow for more)
Left Mouse Down changes location of map co-ordinates (latitude, longitude
Right Mouse Down changes viewing angles (pitch, yaw, roll) within limits
Use Left and Right Mouse Down simultaneously to 'tour' a landscape feature.
VIEW FOUR: Hike Map View:-
Chosen from the View Selection Drop Down in the menu bar. This view offers an altitude above chosen viewpoint, set at an angle to the earth (rather than viewing vertically downward), elevation contour lines and map feature labels, no terrain simulation. CLICK for more details...... (Click panel arrow for more)
Weather: This is not globally available,and only provides forecasts and direct data feeds from some mountainous regions where specific marked weather station data is published with a time lag of hours, rather than days. When available, this is extremely valuable geo- and chronolocation information which can narrow down timeframes and geographical search areas. The forecast presence of the aurora borealis is also included as a coloured map overlay for relevant regions. Weather data is classed as either Forecasts of temperature, precipitation and wind or as Weather Station data, which appears as a sidebar menu when available.
Satellite: tbc
Photo: Toggles the map pins on the map which represent stored locations
Draw Trail: Allows the user to draw and store a trail on the map as a set of points input by Right Mouse Click. This appears as a sidebar menu on the left of the screen.
VIEW FIVE: Ski Map View
Chosen from the View Selection Drop Down in the menu bar. This view offers an altitude above chosen viewpoint, elevation contour lines and map feature labels, information on slopes, routes and ski lift status, no terrain simulation.... (Click panel arrow for more)
In addition to Weather, Photo and Draw Trail functions, Ski Map Options additionally deliver
Slopes : Map colour shading to indicate degree of slope of the terrain, from white for flat, through yellow for mild to orange and red for steep.
Shadows : An overlay view generated around a user-input date and time, where the shadows cast by the landscape are rendered in detail.
Slopes: Map colour shading to indicate degree of slope of the terrain, from white for flat, through yellow for mild to orange and red for steep.
Very useful for doing wide-area searches to match major slope terrain features and thus reduce search space in a geolocation.
Shadows: An overlay view generated around a user-input date and time, where the shadows cast by the landscape are rendered in detail.
Move the time slider to watch the major shadows cast by terrain features move across the landscape at the date, time and place you choose. Very powerful for confirmation of geolocation imagery containing terrain shadows, e.g. how far does the shadow of that mountain/canyon side reach at a certain time of day and year?
Cost
Level of difficulty
It is easy to use PeakVisor's basic features, but the most useful ones take some time to master.
The PhotoFit feature often requires a good deal of adjustment to obtain a good fit, and some understanding of visual field of view and focal length. Watch the video above and note that many different small adjustments are needed to get the skyline fit.
Similarly, the Sun and Moon trails feature takes time to master for chronolocation purposes, and the use of the centre screen crosshairs (SHIFT + P) is needed for accuracy.
Requirements
An email login is needed for some functions like elevation data download, location and path saving. This can be created using the SIGN IN feature in the centre of the top menu on the landing page - see below.
Limitations
Performance: PeakVisor Web version for OSINV is a development project, so performance can be volatile whilst upgrading. See Performance Issues and Their Management
Urban Environments Rarely Usefully Rendered: PeakVisor Source Data is greater than 30m/pixel in many areas, but features smaller than 30m cannot be assumed to be visible on PeakVisor Explorer View rendered terrains. Thus urban environments will rarely be usefully rendered with respect to bulidings, but useful information can be gleaned about urban lanscapes and lines of sight.
Resizing Windows: PeakVisor 3D and 3D Explorer windows can switch zoom scale when Teleporting between viewpoint locations in the model, which means users often need to resize and adjust scale during their work.
Buffering Effect at Capacity Limit: PeakVisor operates at the limit of capacity when the user continuously adjusts viewpoint in 3D Explorer View, because it must constantly re-render the imagery. If buffering limits are reached, the system will 'boomerang' back to a previous location. The way to work around this is to move the viewpoint in increments.
Ethical Considerations
Overview: Ethical Low Risk, High Opportunity
PeakVisor can and has been used in geolocating imagery from remote areas which claims to depict mistreatment of indigenous minorities. As such, it can be used support to work which seeks to protect human rights, indigenous peoples, minorities and the environment through accurate geolocation. The type of exact (within 30m, sometimes 10m in some areas) geolocation which tools like PeakVisor and satellite imagery (sometimes used in conjunction) can deliver can indirectly reveal the identify of people providing source information, which could put them/their contacts at risk of reprisal. Source information providers may or may not be aware of this risk, so there is a responsibility on the Open Source researcher, who may have more information for accurate risk assessment, to evaluate that risk on their behalf. Many information providers willingly undertake the risk of reprisal for the benefit of drawing public/global attention to situations and events they hope will be changed or acted upon as a result of exposure.
Personal Privacy of, and Risk To, PeakVisor Users... (Click panel arrow for more)
PeakVisor does not as yet deal primarily in user-generated photography (although this may change over time). Currently it has the capacity to store and share images, and these are mainly of climbers, hikers and skiiers at locations they consider to be an achievement to reach. There is a small potential risk to them in publishing their presence at a particular location and time. If they understood that their images would be shared by PeakVisor, they have willingly undertaken this risk by uploading them.
Risk to the Environment... (Click panel arrow for more)
Promotion of remote/difficult-to-access locations through such photography could lead to sufficient numbers of new visitors to create environmental damage, particularly if PeakVisor imagery was used by mainstream media and reached very large numbers of consumers. PeakVisor's data accuracy and Smartphone app version make reaching such locations easier to less expert people, and so increase the numbers likely to make the attempt. Depending upon the existence of local communities and the nature of their economies, more visitors might be welcomed, or deplored, but every location has a limit on the number of visitors it can sustain without harm.
Risk to Communities... (Click panel arrow for more)
PeakVisor's promotion of remote/difficult-to-access locations and navigational assistance in accessing them could pose a threat to the wellbeing, safety and way of life of local communities.
Guide
Almost all the tutorial and guide material currently online for PeakVisor refers to the Smartphone version of the tool and for this reason is not included here as much of the functionality is not yet available in the web version for Open Source Research, and some is not applicable. PeakVisor's developers have not yet created Help content for the web version of PeakVisor as the tool is so newly developed and major changes are ongoing.
Sophie Tedling, Bellingcat Website
Article on an OS Investigation using PeakVisor
Sophie Tedling, YouTube, Bellingcat Channel
Video Webinars:
Video Excerpts for Specific Topics:
00:22:50 Five USP PeakVisor Features: 30m Global Accuracy Data, Contour Mapping for Lines of Sight, Sun Trails for Chronolocation, Distance Calculation within Virtual Terrain, Photofit Image Match Validation
01:01:20 PeakVisor Map Interface: Explore Mountains Map Page
01:09:55 Seven Underlying Parameters Describe the PV Panorama
01:27:25 How to Input a Location
01:28:31 How to Adjust Altitude and Read Contours in the 2D Map
01:32:09 How to Adjust Viewing Angles
01:36:08 How to Adjust Field of View and What It Means
01:43:22 How to Move from an Existing Location
01:48:43 How to Measure Distance to Another Location
02:06:30 How to find a PhotoFit
00:37:06 Sun and Moon Trails and the Shadow Method: Suncalc
01:05:25 Depth and Field of View
01:07:38 Field of View, Focal Length and HFOV: Chasing the Perfect Photofit
The PeakVisor website help does not refer specifically to the Web Version, and so describes some major features which are only available on Smartphones.
Tool provider
Routes Software SRL, VIA CAVOUR 2 LOMAZZO, COMO, 22074 ITALY
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Sophie Tedling;
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