I am not sure if I have chosen the year that I want to purchase. Is there a way I can see it a little more clearly (watermark is ok) before I decide?
2017-03-23 15:12:23
TWYLA
I took a gamble & spent $5 to purchase the cheapest option. AND it is so blurry that it is un-usable. Am I doing it wrong??? Please advise how I can get a CLEAR photo. Thank you!
2017-03-23 16:07:08
Jeff
Twyla, I sent you an email. For other users looking at this post. If it looks clear in the viewer window and you've zoomed in to the best point of clarity, make sure you increase the purchase box to about as large as it can get in the window. If you zoom closer 1 level and it starts to look tiled, zoom back out. If the purchase box isn't large enough in the window, it will give you that same tiled image you saw at the lower zoom level at the 1800 pixel size (it'll look even worse at 3600 or 7200). 3600 and 7200 size images give better results at higher zoom levels, in that they will maintain more resolution as you zoom in. If you are too close they will actually look worse. I'll work on a tutorial and FAQ about this topic. The quality of the original photo will also play a factor in the results and scale that you can download the image. One layer may look really clear and crisp and you can zoom in really close, another year may look blurry because the original image quality was not as high in resolution. It's a good practice to look at all of the years you are interested in purchasing to make sure you select a zoom level that will give a positive result for all years of interest. Another option is to purchase different years at different zoom levels. It will take a little bit of legwork initially to get the best results, due to the variance in resolution between years.
2017-09-06 14:26:58
Nells250
So basically, the quality you see on your screen is the quality of the image you purchase, regardless of pixel size you order?
2017-09-06 19:30:51
Jeff
Nells, Yes and no. It really depends on the photo and the area you are selecting. If you choose a substantial area, downloading imagery at 7200 pixels will allow you to zoom in and maintain more of the original resolution when doing so. If you're focusing on one location, like a house, commercial building or a few lots, then the larger pixel downloads will not be useful unless the image is REALLY high resolution. They can actually make it worse, where you'll get a tiled effect. Each location and image is different, but a good rule of thumb is to stick to the lower pixel download when choosing a smaller area. The larger pixel count translates more to photo size than it does resolution. You're blowing the image up 2x or 4x with the higher pixels. If you don't select a large enough area to do that, then you're going to end up with a very pixelated image. If you need help, feel free to email the contact us email under support and we can try give you some pointers or tips.
2018-06-25 12:23:48
Rdinap
Would a hard copy show more detail than a downloaded one? Is so, is there any way to see that online before purchasing?
2018-06-27 12:41:55
Jeff
Not really. There is a bit of clean-up done with the print shop on hard copies. So it may give a bit more contrast, however the resolution and clarity of the photo is what you see in the viewer.
Please wait while we prepare your image
It appears that you have exhausted your credits for this month. That's ok, we'll spot you a few until your monthly subscription turns over. To get more credits before then, you might want to consider bumping your subscription to the next level. Otherwise, just wait until when you'll receive a new allotment for the month. If you still aren't satisfied, we would be happy to discuss your situation. Just call us during business hours at (xxx) xxx-xxxx.
Unfortunately you have spent your quota of credits for the month. To get more credits before then, you might want to consider bumping your subscription to the next level. Otherwise, just wait until when you'll receive a new allotment for the month. If you still aren't satisfied, we would be happy to discuss your situation. Just call us during business hours at (480) 967-6752.
As a subscriber you are allocated a set number of credits each month. By downloading imagery you will use one or more of your monthly credits. Topo downloads are included with your subscription and will not be subtracted from your credit allocation. To continue, simply click Ok, otherwise click Cancel.
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Note
Viewer Guide
We admit it, websites can be confusing. Especially sites as unique as Historic Aerials. If you haven't worked any mapping websites, operation might not be obvious to you. To help you scale this short (we hope) learning curve, we have compiled this list of common tasks. We also encourage you to explore. Move the mouse around and try clicking on things. Don't worry, you won't break anything.
Note that this is an interactive guide. You can keep it on the screen while you try our suggestions. To move this guide to the side of the screen, just click and drag the heading of the popup window to wherever you want it.
Let's get started!
Navigation
Chances are, you aren't interested in the area we present to you by default. If you chose not to block your location, the default area will be your current location, or more specifically, the location of your Internet provider. Otherwise, you will be dropped off in Tempe, Arizona where our headquarters is located.
To move the map, drag it by clicking and holding down the left mouse button (or only mouse button if on a Mac.) With the mouse button pressed over the map, move the mouse and the map will pan. Go ahead and try it now.
That's all well and good you say, but the world is a big place. Panning to Fargo, North Dakota from Yuma, Arizona might take awhile. There's an easier way... see that text box in the upper left of the viewer with the text 'geo coordinates or street address'? Click on that text box and type Fargo, North Dakota, then click the 'go' button to the right, or press the [Enter] key. Your map should now display with a center location in Fargo, North Dakota.
The text search box works for street addresses, cities, and even landmarks. Try searching for Mount Rushmore.
Zoom
On the upper left side of the viewer content area are the zoom controls, indicated by the plus (+) and minus (-) sign. To zoom in, click on the plus, to zoom out, click on the minus.
Aerials
Maps are used for orientation, and we don't deviate from their utility. However, you likely came here to view some historic aerial imagery, not to view maps, right?
To view the aerial view of the current map location, you need to select an aerial year to display. Click on the aerials button in the top left of the viewer. You should see a list of years pop out to the right. These are the years of aerial coverage that we currently have for the area indicated by center point of the map. To select a year, just click on the year you want to see. The current year will now display under the aerials button and within a couple seconds, the imagery for that year will replace the map.
To select another year, click on the aerials button again and select a different year. Note that you can pan around, or zoom like we did with the map.
Topographic Maps
Ready for this? You already know how to view topographic maps. That's right, it works just like the aerial selection. Just click on the topos button and select the year you wish to view.
Atlases
Like the aerials and topos selectors, the atlases will let you view additional historical representations of the viewing area. We have geo-referenced digitized versions of historic maps and property boundary documents. This is also where you can select the map layer if you so desire. Note that our atlas selection is rather scarce as we are currently working on this arduous task.
Compare
You may have noticed that only one 'layer' (whether that be an aerial, topo, or atlas) can be displayed at one time. To provide you with the ability to compare two different years (or layers,) you can use one of the compare utilities. To activate, click on the compare button.
You'll see four icons:
turn compare off
view specific area in circle
compare two layers side by side
set transparency between layers
Try clicking on the slider. Click on the compare button followed by the side-by-side option. On the right side of the screen a selector will appear similar to the left side. When you are comparing two layers, think right and left side.
The map is the default layer for both sides. Go ahead and select an aerial year on the right side that is different from the left. The slider on top of the viewing area allows you to move the demarcation line between the two layers.
To turn the compare tool off, click on the compare button on the left, and click on the X icon. Poof! The right layer and associated selectors disappear.
Overlays
Unfortunately, photography from the sky doesn't come with labels. In other words, counties, cities and roads are rarely obvious. To help you identify these man-made labels, we provide overlays. You have the option to view major roads, all roads, counties, and cities. Just click on the overlay button and select which overlays you want to view. To turn overlays off, click on the X icon at the top of the compare tools.
Measure Distance
Often times distance isn't obvious when you're looking at some particular layer. The measure tool lets you measure real distance between points, and even calculate the area of a polygon.
Click on the measure button on the left. A flyout dialog appears on the lower left of the viewer. Click on the icon left of the option to Create a new measurement. Further instruction will prompt you to add points on the layer by clicking. When you are finished adding points, click the finish option. Another dialog will appear with your measurement. You can leave the object on the screen or remove it by clicking on the delete option on the result dialog.
Like the other buttons on the left, clicking the measure button will toggle the measurement dialog on or off.
Ordering Digital Imagery and Prints
Looking at historical photos is certainly interesting, but what if you want a snapshot of an area unencumbered by watermarks? You can purchase imagery in the form of digital images (jpeg, png, or GeoTiff). Or you can purchase a printout of a selected area.
See that text at the top of your viewer area that reads, 'purchase image and/or print'? An arrow to the left of that text points to yet another button. If you have selected a layer other than 'map' you can click that button to make a selection within the viewable space.
After you click that button with the square, you'll see the center area of the viewer remain lighter while the outside area becomes darker. This lighter area is the selected area you want to purchase. To change the size of the selected square, click and drag on one of the four corner handles indicated by a small white square.
After you have positioned the viewer and selected the area you want, click on the 'Purchase Selection button now displayed at the top of the viewer. If you are a registered user, your selection will be added to your shopping cart where you can select your purchase options.
Did you get a 'Guest Order' page? That's because you aren't logged in as a registered user. That's okay, we'll save your work and direct you to the registration page. Registration is easy, and free!
What's next?
Hopefully you're feeling like a pro by now, effortlessly navigating our historic aerial imagery from coast to coast. As you continue using Historic Aerials we hope that confidence grows. Our only advice is to try stuff. By now hopefully you've discovered that action buttons have hints by just hovering your mouse over it. You may also notice advantages of a mouse wheel in changing the zoom level. These, along with other tips will become apparent as you use our product. When in doubt, give it a click, and see what happens!
