Systems/apparatuses and methods are provided for creating aerial images. A three-dimensional point cloud image is generated from an optical distancing system. Additionally, at least one two-dimensional street level image is generated from at least one camera. The three-dimensional point cloud image is colorized with the at least one two-dimensional street level image, thereby forming a colorized three-dimensional point cloud image. The colorized three-dimensional point cloud image is projected onto a two-dimensional plane, using a processor, thereby forming a synthetic aerial image.