Geofoto is a Croatian company that offers photogrammetric, geoinformation, cartographic and cadastral services. The company began ope rating on September 1st, 1993 in Zagreb and its headquarter is in Zagreb. Companies were also founded in London (Geofoto London), La Paz (Geofoto Latinoamerica), Prague (Terra – map) and Belgrade (Geofoto Beograd) and there are branch offices in Osijek and Dubai (UAE) as well as sister companies Geofoto – International, Geofoto Air and Infomax.
The main activities of Geofoto are aerial survey, digital photogrammetry, cadastral survey, production of topographic and cadastral databases, design and creation of geoinformation systems and solutions and digital cartography. Geofoto services are recognized through high quality, honest and transparent relationship with the client, strong IT structure and many years of international experience. For implemented quality control system Geofoto has the Certificate ISO 9001:2008.
Spatial data and information are our core business so we place great focus on clients’ database security and protection. Our own information system, space and personnel have been certified to handle classified data. The Facility Security Clearance issued by the Office of the National Security Council enables the company to participate in national, NATO and EU classified tenders and thus strengthen the company’s position on domestic and international markets.
The company and some of its experts are members of many organizations and associations such as Croatian Geodetic Society, Croatian Cartographic Society, Croatian Chamber of Chartered Geodetic Engineers, Croatian Standards Institute, Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, EUROGI (European Umbrella Organization for Geographic Information), Spatial Data Interest Community, EU INSPIRE Directive, etc.
The company currently employs 154 people. Our employees work on the state-of-the-art equipment and continuously attend different seminars and courses, publish papers and participate at numerous conferences around the world.
MILITARY GEOINFORMATION SYSTEMS
Military Geoinformation Systems are critical technology in the work of defense and intelligence community. It is a flawless digital map of a certain area which can also be web-based. Users of these systems have access to spatial
and environmental data collected, stored and displayed in accordance with NATO standards. They can use them at their workplaces by means of advanced technologies. Geofoto has developed a conceptual solution that is made
possible by precise information, flexible communications and dynamic situation photos created for the military. Databases are created in the form of basic tactical military topographic maps in a 1:50 000 scale and JOG-G (Joint
Operations Graphic – ground) tactical military maps in a 1: 250 000 scale.
DIGITAL ORTOPHOTO
Geofoto specializes in production of digital ortophoto from aerial photogrammetric images and satellite images. The digital orthophoto is a geometrically corrected photograph in digital format, produced as a result of computer
transformation of digital photographs from the central into the orthogonal projection. Generally, the orthophoto is made within shorter period of time than vector maps and it is a couple of times cheaper. The most common scales of analogous orthophotos are 1:5000, 1:2000 and 1: 1000. In addition, lately there has been increase in demand for True ortho, in which built objects are not projected on the ground, but in the orthoretification process is considered height data. This way, objects are presented spatially in a correct manner: object roofs are right above the foundations, without display of the side walls or overlap of surrounding areas.
LIDAR DATA
LiDAR technology enables collecting altitude data of the terrain, buildings, vegetation and other spatial layers in a swift, accurate and automatized manner. Data acquired through the LiDAR system is especially useful when identifying targets such as tanks and aircraft. Geofoto recently purchased one of the most modern LiDAR systems which, mounted on an aircraft, uses close range infrared part of electromagnetic spectrum for active data collecting in daylight or during the night, in a shadow, but also in circumstances of lower visibility (e.g., under the clouds). Typical 3D visualizations, including enhanced DTM with buildings and vegetation can be made within a few hours.
3D TERRAIN AND CITY MODELS
Geofoto makes different 3D data. They are obtained from aerial photogrammetric images. Spatial resolution of imaging can be up to 8 cm which enables highly detailed and precise level of detail. On the basis of such images and using photogrammetric mapping on specific workstations, 3D data is created of the existing objects and terrain. After a topographic processing, this data is a genuine and reliable source of information in space. 3D data has many uses and the military most often uses them for mission and exercise planning and command, aerial reconnaissance, logistic planning and enemy and friendly forces tracking.
SCALE MODELS
Once a 3D model has been created the data is materialized from the digital form using a special 3D printout technology and scale models of diferent scales are made. The scale model composes of a tablet mosaic built on a
special base and it is an irreplaceable means of communication and spatial display.
DIGITIZATION CENTRE
Geofoto delivers complete solutions for scanning and vectorization of large size master plans and maps. The kit contains a large format scanner, a software used for conversion of raster files into a vector format (lines and objects) which has a possibility of pattern recognition, an application used for data transformation into UTM projection and different format conversion. In addition, the company provides system application services, training and system maintenance.
