Photorealistic 3D Tiles in TPE Web
Photorealistic 3D, new in TPE Web, brings unprecedented ease and accuracy to planning celestial alignments and composition for outdoor photographers worldwide.
Last month, we launched Photorealistic 3D mode in TPE Web. With Google Photorealistic 3D Tiles integrated directly into TPE’s planning interface, it is now possible to plan precision compositions and alignments more easily and accurately than ever before. Google’s digital elevation and digital surface mapping, combined with high-resolution satellite imagery and photogrammetry, represents the outdoor world in high fidelity, including precise building geometry and even individual trees and shrubs.
This represents a huge step forward in shot planning capabilities for all outdoor photographers. How? The easiest way is to take a look and see for yourself! This short video reel shows how we used Photorealistic 3D to plan a precision alignment of the recent lunar eclipse in Denver, Colorado:
For a more detailed walk-through of the new 3D capability, watch Photorealistic 3D Tiles in TPE Web 4.5.
Photorealistic 3D is incredibly helpful not only for photographers planning high-precision alignments with buildings, but also for landscape photographers. For example, see how accurately Delicate Arch in Arches National Park is depicted here – it’s easily good enough to identify the exact shooting locations that will allow you to frame the La Sal Mountains through the arch itself:
Any photographer who has set out to a new location will know just how easy it is to have overlooked the impact of a tree or street sign on the planned composition. One of the major advantages of Photorealistic 3D is that the model includes forest, individual trees and other vegetation. That makes it possible to assess your exact shooting options in advance, before you even travel to location.
Cities and Buildings
High-resolution 3D models are available for locations all around the globe, with more and more being added over time. Here are some examples:
Moon behind Christ the Redeemer, Rio
Moon behind the Shard, London
Photorealistic 3D can be used in conjunction with TPE’s incredibly easy-to-use Visual Search tool to find any celestial alignment or composition you can dream up. This video shows the two capabilities in action together:
Photorealistic 3D availability in TPE Web
- Photorealistic 3D is available now (it was initially released on August 21, 2026, in TPE Web 4.5). It requires a MAX subscription
- Visual Search is available for all users (limited to use with the Sun for free accounts)
- Visit app.photoephemeris.com to sign up
