3D Models

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Abstract: Three-dimensional photo realistic models of urban environments that can be used for simulation and interactive fly-thrus are useful in a growing variety of applications such as urban planning, disaster training, virtual heritage conservation, and Internet-based consumer services. However, previous methods for producing these images were slow and required enormous amounts of manual work -- consequently making these simulations cost-prohibitive for most commercial applications.  To address this challenge, researchers at UC Berkeley have combined visualization techniques from a variety of research areas to develop a fast method of generating photo realistic 3D models of urban landscapes with minimal human intervention. The following multiple formats can be used as input to this modeling software: ground based laser scans and intensity images, as well as airborne lidar data and imagery.  For more information about the technology, go to  http://www-video.eecs.berkeley.edu/~frueh/3d/index.html  http://www-video.eecs.berkeley.edu/~avz/3d_modeling.ppt  http://www-video.eecs.berkeley.edu/~avz/3d_urban_industry_prop_ref.pdf   Applications: Consumer and industrial applications that can benefit from photo realistic 3D models of urban landscapes.   Advantages: Generates a 3D model of building facades that were scanned using an acquisition system for collecting ground-based laser data. Generates a rooftop model of buildings that were aerially scanned using an airborne lidar system. Fuses ground-based 3D models of facades with rooftop models by creating a blend mesh. Texture-maps the reconstructed 3D facades using ground-based imagery. Texture-maps the roofs and facades using aerial oblique imagery.