Abstract: A method for converting forward looking video or motion picture imagery into a downlooking database suitable for use in an image generation system to generate realtime perspective images for simulation purposes. A digital video camera photographs a sequence of forward looking frames along a course including several known ground control points. Digital data from the digital video camera is read into a computer. The initial position and the position of ground control points is read into the computer. A Kalman filter technique provides continuous estimates of exact camera location in x, y, z coordinates, and in roll, pitch and yaw orientation. A correlation filter determines corresponding pixels in adjacent frames. Range from the camera to the pixel surfaces is calculated to determine the x, y and z position thereof. A modified mathematical stereophotogrammetry technique is used. Radiometric data and elevation data is extracted from the lower portion of the frame for each pixel.