Creating an AzEl Mask from Images

The sensor AzEl Mask tool creates a mask file (.bmsk) that represents obstructions to visibility from the point of view of the sensor. The mask is built from images of 3D object models and central body shapes as seen from the center of the sensor via perspective projection.

The AzEl Mask tool creates the mask by processing images on all six sides of a 3-D cube, as shown below, which overlap slightly to ensure correct processing at the boundaries.

The mask consists of one or several contours encoded in AzEl space on each side of the cube, where each contour follows along the boundary of the image of an obstruction.

The AzEl mask is built by observing in all directions around the sensor regardless of its field of view. This permits independent setting of visibility limitations in the Access Tool calculations using Field of View and Sensor AzEl Mask constraints.