3D web visualization of huge CityGML models

Abstract

ABSTRACT:Nowadays, rapid technological development into acquiring geo-spatial information; joined to the capabilities to process these data in a relative short period of time, allows the generation of detailed 3D textured city models that will become an essential part of the modern city information infrastructure (Spatial Data Infrastructure) and, can be used to integrate various data from different sources for public accessible visualisation and many other applications. One of the main bottlenecks, which at the moment limit the use of these datasets to few experts, is a lack on efficient visualization systems through the web and interoperable frameworks that allow standardising the access to the city models. The work presented in this paper tries to satisfy these two requirements developing a 3D web-based visualization system based on OGC standards and effective visualization concepts. The architectural framework, based on Services Oriented Architecture (SOA) concepts, provides the 3D city data to a web client designed to support the view process in a very effective way. The first part of the work is to design a framework compliant to the 3D Portrayal Service drafted by the of the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) 3D standardization working group. The latter is related to the development of an effective web client able to render in an efficient way the 3D city models.

City Maker: Reconstruction of Cities from OpenStreetMap Data for Environmental Visualization and Simulations

“…With recent advancements, larger corporations such as Apple, Google and Microsoft provide their 3D visualization of city information as part of their map services. Moreover, such visualization is provided with varying levels of detail for optimization purposes, helping the services be utilized efficiently while providing detail when required [3]. Detailed models of features might be required for generation of realistic 3D city models, which is utilized for effective project management integrating building information modeling (BIM) and geographic information systems (GIS) [4].…”

“…Although storing such information as shape files for two-dimensional models may be considered appropriate, such large data providing 3D information require an efficient method of storage and processing [3]. Especially storage might be a major issue for larger study areas [7].…”

“…Furthermore, as the data are going to be utilized for other purposes and applications, a proper geometric and semantic structuring of the data for better accuracy is essential [1]. Most often, 3D information is provided through hierarchical and semantically consistent formats [3,8]. Through such an arrangement, different applications, such as the ones for flooding [9][10][11] or urban development planning [12,13] can utilize the data according to their requirements.…”

3d City Modelling of Istanbul Based on Lidar Data and Panoramic Images – Issues and Challenges

“…Several major cities around the globe are developing 3D models of their cities and urban areas with the aim of using the models for several applications such as for planning, infrastructure, tourism purposes, etc. Cities like Berlin, Lyon, Wien, Rotterdam, Brisbane, New York, Stuttgart, Singapore are some of the examples (Kolbe, 2017), Khoo and Soon (2016), Stoter (2016) and Prandi et al (2015). City of Istanbul in Turkey also has initiated such 3D model mainly for city planning purposes (Buyuksalih, et al, 2018).…”

A Multi-Data Source and Multi-Sensor Approach for the 3D Reconstruction and Web Visualization of a Complex Archaelogical Site: The Case Study of “Tolmo De Minateda”

“…In spite of the mesh simplification and optimization process mentioned in Section 3.2.5, it is possible to optimize the visualization of 3D models in terms of WebGL framework Cesium. Some authors [52] propose an approach based on a custom geometry loader implemented in the Cesium APIs. By this approach any 3D element is rendered and handled by the Cesium rendering code.…”