Low Tech Approach to 3D Urban Modeling

Abstract

Over the last decade various examples of urban 3D models have been created employing various techniques for data collection and model building.The problems faced are well documented, issues of accuracy, complexity and utility of the models has also been addressed. This paper presents a low tech approach to accurate city modeling focusing on engineering applications, browsing/experiencing applications as well as multi-layering time based analyses, historical info overlaying for use in interactive real time applications (museum exhibitions, research projects for behavioral patterns of users in 3D urban environments, marketing, tourism, etc). The pros and cons of the proposed methodology are analyzed and ways forward suggested.

Sharing 3D City Models: An Overview

“…Developing these models requires modeling time and computing power. Bourdakis (2008) categorizes the "methods of acquiring urban scale 3D digital data into five divisions:…”

“…Recent research, analyzing the need for urban models, stresses that "not a single type of 3D digital model is suitable for all applications" (Bourdakis 2008). Bourdakis continues to explain that level of accuracy, texturing and populating the model, level of detail, size of the model and level of realism would differ from model to model.…”