Visualization of Features in 3D Terrain

A method to integrate hydraulic structure models into 3D terrain models for irrigation infrastructure visualization

Seamless integration of three-dimensional (3D) terrain models and hydraulic structure models is a technical challenge in the construction of 3D virtual scenes for irrigation areas. This study proposes a level-of-detail (LOD)-based dynamic classification integration method for hydraulic structure models and 3D terrain models, called CM-D-LOD. Hydraulic structures are classified according to their point, line, and surface morphologies, as well as their dependence on or independence of the terrain into four categories: point-like hydraulic structures independent of terrain, line-like hydraulic structures dependent on terrain, surface-like hydraulic structures dependent on terrain, and surface-like hydraulic structures independent of terrain. By utilizing the proposed model classification integration method, a visualization management platform for virtual geographical environments of irrigation areas is developed, and experiments are conducted in the Zhuluo Ba Irrigation Area within the large economic zone along China's eastern coast. Results demonstrate that the integration accuracy can be controlled between 0.2 and 0.7 m and that the 3D virtual scene of the irrigation area can be updated in real time. The proposed classification integration method transforms the traditional global model integration approach into a more efficient one, significantly improving the efficiency of constructing virtual geographical scenes for irrigation areas.

Reconstruction and Efficient Visualization of Heterogeneous 3D City Models

The increasing efforts in developing smart city concepts are often coupled with three-dimensional (3D) modeling of envisioned designs. Such conceptual designs and planning are multi-disciplinary in their nature. Realistic implementations must include existing urban structures for proper planning. The development of a participatory planning and presentation platform has several challenges from scene reconstruction to high-performance visualization, while keeping the fidelity of the designs. This study proposes a framework for the integrated representation of existing urban structures in CityGML LoD2 combined with a future city model in LoD3. The study area is located in Sahinbey Municipality, Gaziantep, Turkey. Existing city parts and the terrain were reconstructed using high-resolution aerial images, and the future city was designed in a CAD (computer-aided design) environment with a high level of detail. The models were integrated through a high-resolution digital terrain model. Various 3D modeling approaches together with model textures and semantic data were implemented and compared. A number of performance tuning methods for efficient representation and visualization were also investigated. The study shows that, although the object diversity and the level of detail in the city models increase, automatic reconstruction, dynamic updating, and high-performance web-based visualization of the models remain challenging.

Leading Progress in Digital Terrain Analysis and Modeling

Digital Terrain analysis (DTA) and modeling has been a flourishing interdisciplinary field for decades, with applications in hydrology, geomorphology, soil science, engineering projects and computer sciences. Currently, DTA is characterized by a proliferation of multispectral data from new sensors and platforms, driven by regional and national governments, commercial businesses, and scientific groups, with a general trend towards data with higher spatial, spectral or temporal resolutions. Deriving meaningful and interpretable products from such a large pool of data sources sets new challenges. The articles included in this special issue (SI) focuses on terrain analysis applications that advance the fields of hydrology, geomorphology, soil science, geographic information software (GIS), and computer science. They showcase challenging examples of DTA tackling different subjects or different point of views on the same subject.