A true orthophoto is characterized by the representation of all features as if they are viewed directly from above, removing the distortions typically associated with perspective. This is achieved by correcting for the tilt of the camera and the terrain variations in the landscape, resulting in a uniformly scaled aerial image. This allows the true orthophoto to accurately represent distances and areas, making it a valuable tool for accurate measurement, analysis, and geographic interpretation.
The distinguishing aspect of a true orthophoto is that it serves as a planimetric representation, where the view is orthogonal to the ground. This means that no matter the elevation of the ground or the tilt of the original aerial photography, the resulting imagery presents features in their true geographic placement without distortion. Therefore, users can interpret land use, features, and relationships in a visually accurate manner, which is critical for urban planning, environmental monitoring, and geographic analysis.