Abstract: A method is disclosed for creating a precision mask for a utility pole and/or pole hardware (“utility pole”) depicted in a digital image. The utility pole is detected within a digital image comprising a plurality of pixels. An initial pixel mask is then created for the utility pole and determining a color range. The plurality of pixels is then processed within the digital image, wherein: the color of each pixel is sampled, and each pixel is included or excluded from the precision mask based at least partially on its sampled color and the color range; and outputting the precision mask. Other disclosed methods provide for identification of a class of utility pole depicted in a digital image by comparison to a plurality of 3D models. Still other disclosed methods may be used to predict the height of a utility pole depicted in a digital image.