It looks like the kind of incredible footage Superman would shoot if he flew over Adelaide's CBD with a handycam - but don't be fooled, it's all fake.

This video of the city from above was made by Kent Town aerial photography experts AEROmetrex using Aero3Dpro, a detailed geographical three-dimensional modelling technology launched in Adelaide last month.

In the incredible new video published on YouTube this week, they fly over computer generated versions of the Festival Centre, St Peters Cathedral, Adelaide Oval, the Intercontinental Hotel and Government House, complete with cars, trees and gardens.

Tipped as a "game-changer" in the geospatial industry and marketed as a tool with unlimited applications, aero3Dpro is an extension for AEROmetrex, which has worked on major projects across the nation, including with Google on some of their Australian maps, on the National Broadband Network's black-spot survey across Outback routes and with Santos in the Cooper Basin.

The aero3dpro technology starts with high-resolution detailed imagery - captured by specialised cameras installed in winged aircraft and helicopters and on ground by cameras mounted on cars -of pre-determined sites/routes.

These images are then scaled and corrected using photogrammetry - a process of determining the geometric properties of objects from photographic images.

Using existing software, a dense 3D point cloud is created - essentially length, breadth and depth co-ordinates located in the real world. These points help create what's called a 3D wireframe model which acts as a skeleton. Using the actual photographs, the 3D models are then textured or made life-like.

"It's an extremely detailed and expensive exercise but it's not as time-consuming as some of the other available products," says David Byrne, technical director at AEROmetrex.

"We are using cameras that weigh as much as 7 kilos and cost about $1.5 million each. The imagery is accurate and detailed, and the advanced algorithms help with converting that detailed imagery into 3D models, including all natural and man-made objects present in a scene, for instance, trees, electric poles not to mention vehicles," he adds.

Managing director Mark Deuter says aero3Dpro could have a multitude of applications.

"From these fully textured 3D models, we can then interact with, manipulate and modify using partnering software," he says.

"The data can be used for shadow analysis, design planning, heritage assessment, urban planning, tourism videos, line of sight analysis and so much more."

Alternately the client can obtain just the 3D models and edit and manipulate any which way they want using their preferred software.

The aero3Dpro models work on a variety of platforms and are compatible with most computer-aided design (CAD) packages.

"As a privately-owned Adelaide small business, we are very proud to be on a technologically advanced level on par with big powerhouses such as Apple and Google," Mr Byrne says.

"We wanted to make sure we are keeping up with technology - but now we feel like we have made a jump on what the industry is doing.

"It will be a premium offering, priced at around $500 per hectare as a general rule of thumb."

The launch of aero3Dpro comes at a time when the 3D mapping industry is picking up pace and getting highly competitive.

Google literally put the world on to everybody's computers, and smart phones, providing free access to a version of Google Earth a virtual geographical information program created by Keyhole Inc, a US Central Intelligence Agency-funded company it bought in 2004.

Rival Apple bought leading 3D mapping technology providers C3 Technologies and Poly9 before launching its new operating system this year.