3D City Models - In Demand
Demand for 3D city models is increasing. These models are being used in a diverse range of applications, such as:
- Telecommunications
- Evaluation of projects
- Visualising future buildings
- Visualising infrastructure developments
- Community consultation
- Navigation
- Building and strata management
- Media and entertainment
- Logistics for major events involving the public or dignitaries
- Scenario development for public safety and homeland security
Both the City of Melbourne and the City of Sydney recently acquired their own current 3D City Models from AAM. AAM supplied a 3D Model and fully-rectified true ortho photo of the City of Melbourne to support the Commonwealth Games and ongoing city management. The AAM data sets are still in operational use and are highly regarded in terms of utility and quality. These data sets have received several awards and accolades. In 2008 AAM produced a textured/rendered form of the 3D model of Melbourne for visualisation and analysis purposes using the Pictometry® oblique imagery.
Wire frame 3D model (left) and a photorealistic 3D model (right) of Sydney.
AAM creates these models using a range of data sets. One of the most realistic and highly sought after products is the Pictometry derived 3D City Models. These models are so realistic it is difficult to differentiate them from oblique images (refer image, above). These Pictometry derived models are created in short time-frames and are ready in weeks, not months.
The accuracy and detail of models can vary depending on your requirements. Accuracy is heavily influenced by the nature and quality of the source aerial photography, the input DEMs, ground truth and control information. Horizontal accuracies are related to the accuracy of the source ground control and elevation models, while vertical accuracy is linked to elevation models and 3D ground control.
When creating these models each building is given a unique name. Buildings are usually numbered sequentially. It is also possible to request names based on a spatial encoding.
A variety of formats can be supplied depending on the user’s application and software requirements, including 3DS, OpenFlight, KML, VRML2, ESRI 3D Shapefile, Microstation DGN, OBJ and X3D.
AAM also offers the service of fully-maintained 3D models by regular aerial photography, photogrammetric measurement of new buildings and insertion of Development Application details into proposed and approved layers. All 3D data is time-stamped and versioned, providing an audit trail for historical comparison and temporal management of proposals and approvals.
Whether you are interested in our existing models or desire a customised solution, visit our 3D city models webpage.
Photorealistic 3D city model of Melbourne, derived from Pictometry data.
