DISSEMINATING LARGE-SCALE SEMANTIC 3D LANDSCAPE MODELS USING OPEN VISUALISATION PLATFORMS

Abstract

European mapping institutions recently started creating three-dimensional (3D) topographic
datasets to satisfy modern application demands. The resulting datasize creates new challenges
for managing, disseminating and visualising topographic surface models interactively.
Moreover, open, publicly-available, free-of-charge software is desirable for data
dissemination, so that the general public can access the public-funded survey results.
Available large-scale visualisation platforms are commonly proprietary.
In this paper, we contribute three major points that address the visualisation- and
dissemination challenge: First, we present a scheme for extending open scientific
visualisation platforms with out-of-core rendering capabilities. Secondly, we present a
practical processing workflow for geometric corrections and storage of the surfaces for
interactive visualisation. At last, we present a GML-based storage structure for large-scale
data dissemination.
First results show interactive rendering capabilities for a city dataset which was formerly
impossible to render in its entirety. The developed processing workflow is versatile and
handles polygonal inaccuracies with minimal input constraints.