TerraBuilder - 3D Terrain Database Creator

Generate terrain and urban model databases from a wide variety of data types

TerraBuilder provides professional-grade tools for manipulating and merging imagery and elevation data of different sizes and resolutions into a geographically accurate terrain database; Merges layers of 3D mesh models together with classification layers, and BIM or model layers into a multi-resolution and stream-optimized 3D Mesh Layer database (3DML).

Skyline Software Systems

Herndon, US

Description

TerraBuilder is a 3D terrain database creator with professional-grade tools for manipulating and merging aerial photos, satellite images, and digital elevation models of different sizes and resolutions. The resulting photo-realistic, geographically accurate terrain database can be made available to local TerraExplorer clients or published to remote clients (using the TerraGate Terrain service). TerraBuilder supports a wide-range of layer types and automatically reprojects layers that use different coordinate systems. TerraBuilder provides a range of editing tools with which to manipulate the imported raster files, enabling maximum precision in the 3D terrain database result. Possible manipulations include cropping, resizing, moving, feathering, adjustment of geographic coordinates using tie points, and modification of color and elevation parameters. TerraBuilder can run its efficient algorithms fluidly on standard, low-cost GPUs, or exploit computer clusters and cloud computing to accelerate database creation. TerraBuilder’s Preview mode saves time by letting you preview and correct potentially problematic areas before MPT creation. The completed TerraBuilder project can be processed into a single stream-optimized file (MPT) and then loaded directly in TerraExplorer, or it can be published to remote TerraExplorer clients using the TerraGate Terrain service. Alternatively, the project (TBP) can be directly published for streaming, without pre-processing, from Skyline’s TerraGate server. The published project, built from optimized and native source data, is streamed using the DirectConnect component, which employs advanced mechanisms to build data on-demand, and leverage cache technology for performance and scalability optimizations. Terrain databases (MPT and TBP) can also be served to WMS/WMTS clients with TerraGate SFS WMS/WMTS service.

Specifications

Feature Extraction and Mapping: Mapping facilities

N

Semi-automatic corner point extraction

N

Semi-automatic line feature extraction

N

Semi-automatic building extraction

N

3D superimposition

N

Integration with scanned maps

Y

Integration with 2D vector maps

Y

Integration with 3D vector maps

Y

Integration with point clouds

Y

Automatic texturing

yes

Required Computer System: System includes hardware

N

Operating system(s)

Windows 7/8 (minimum)

CPU (min.)

4 core minimum recommended

CPU (preferred)

8 cores recommended

Min. RAM memory [Mb]

8

Preferred RAM memory [Mb]

16

64-bit version of software available

N

Distributed processing capacity

Y

GPU based calculations

N

Preferred data storage capacity [Gb]

500

Min. graphic card

1GB

Hardware handling of big data sets

2GB+

Images and data: Source data

tif, sid, ecw, tif, jp2, jp2000.ntf, .img, others

Input image formats

tif, sid, ecw, tif, jp2, jp2000.ntf, .img, others

Export data formats

.MPT, .KML, KMZ

Scanned analogue Aerial Photos

Y

Digital Aerial Nadir Frames

Y

Oblique Images

N

Linear array sensors

Y

Optical Satellite Images

Y

UAS Images

Y

Radar Images

Y

DEMs & Orthoimages: Automatic matching

No

Automatic breakline extraction

N

Checking facilities (DEM editing)

N

Automatic contour generation

N

Mosaicing of orthoimages

Y

True orthoimage generation

N

Dense DSM creating capability

N

DSM to DTM filtering

N

Automatic seam line creation

N

Dense Image Matching

N

Viewing System: Min. display memory [Mb]

8

Pref. display memory [Mb]

16

General: Year of introduction

1996

Year of last update

2018

Modular

Yes

Regional settings available

yes

License configuration

limitable by HASP Key; locked to a specific machine by code or as a pool using Floating License Server

Orientation and triangulation: Automatic interior

N

Relative

N

Automatic aerotriangulation

N

Automated blunder detection

N

Self calibration

N

images simultaneously processed

N

Measurement tools: Length

Y

Area

Y

Volume

Y

Image manipulation & processing: Automatic contrast manipulations

N

Spatial convolution

N

Resampling

Y

Radiometric adjustment for mosaicing

N