sources for 3D city models

[joeberger]

Hi there,

 

I am working as a student assistant at an institute and my task is to create 3D-city models for ray tracing analysis. Yet I don`t have much experience in that field, which is why I made some research for sources and formats of virtual city models.

 

Here is what I need:

 

1.) 3D city models from cities worldwide.

 

2.) 3D city models which are not too accurate. Normal block structures and if possible (roof) shape information of buidlings and vegetation is enough.

 

3.) the data format of the city models need to enable analysis, especially for ray tracing

 

These are my findings of my research:

 

1.) When I create my own 3D city model satilite imagery of around 1m accuracy is needed.

 

2.) Because the own creation of such a model takes long (especially because I do not have much experience in that) there are some firms which have already created virtual city models. I could ask them to sell it to the institute.

 

3.) Because there are not many city models already created and I do not have experience, I could let firms create the 3D city models and I try to make these city models ready for ray tracing analysis

 

4.) The best format for 3D city models is CityGML because it has topological and semantic opportunities for the objects.

 

My questions to you are:

 

Can anybody tell me good online sources for:

1.) satellite imagery of 1m accuracy (prize doesn´t matter for now)

2.) 3D - city models which are already created

 

Can anybody tell me:

3.) a suitable data format for these virtual city models for ray tracing analysis (CityGML?)

 

 

Thank you!

[Stephen Thomas]

http://www.vertexmodelling.co.uk/ have an extensive London model.

[Tommy L]

http://www.3dcadbrowser.com/3dmodels.aspx?category=46

I bought the Lower Manhatten model for working on the World Trade Center. I think its Lidar scanned, the model is simple but accurate with basic maps.

[Ernest Burden III]

I bought the Lower Manhatten model for working on the World Trade Center. I think its Lidar scanned, the model is simple but accurate with basic maps.

 

I'm pretty sure that is the model developed by the defunct Earth Data Systems, which was, as I recall, Lidar-based. The model was let loose by a clueless NY Port Authority who didn't realize it was privately owned. I got a copy for work in that area. EDS had a similar-quality model of much if not all of NYC. I bought use of a small section of Brooklyn from them once. I wish the model was still available. It would be out of date by now, but a great start.

 

The other models of cities on 3dcadbrowser.com are, I'm almost certain, rips from the also-now-defunct Microsoft VirtualEarth app. I've bought much of the NYC models and while they look fine at a glance, they are a mess, and randomly missing buildings which have to be re-created.

 

I wonder what companies like Neoscape are doing for NYC models--they do so much work that shows the city they must have ready resources, probably of their own creation. Talk about a business advantage.

[RyderSK]

http://www.3dcadbrowser.com/3dmodels.aspx?category=46

I bought the Lower Manhatten model for working on the World Trade Center. I think its Lidar scanned, the model is simple but accurate with basic maps.

 

Crazy resource. Looks like I can just download that ? Looks superior to Google. Full NYC, even though outside of Manhattan looks bit flat, but still

[Ernest Burden III]

...Full NYC...

 

Can you post a link of what you are seeing (before paying), I've bought some files from that site and one was so off I asked for, and got, my money back.

[RyderSK]

Can you post a link of what you are seeing (before paying), I've bought some files from that site and one was so off I asked for, and got, my money back.

 

http://www.3dcadbrowser.com/download.aspx?3dmodel=15146

 

But I take it back, I only saw download button and thought it's free, now I see it works on membership basis.

[Ernest Burden III]

Yeah, that's part of the VirtualEarth rip. It's fine, but not as accurate or elegant as it looks. There's a lot of work to do if any part is seen even medium-range.