Reality-based 3D city models from aerial satellite data

ABSTRACT: 3D city models represent virtual urban environments for simulations, planning and visualization. Thanks to the software CyberCity-Modeler (CCM™), CyberCity generates 3D city models from aerial and satellite stereo images or Lidar data. According to the accuracy of the input data, detailed building models with roof slopes and superstructures or simplified block models can be generated. To make the models more realistic, roof texture is added automatically from the aerial images or the ortophotos. The façade texture is mapped on the buildings from aerial (oblique) images (semi-automatic approach), from terrestrial pictures (manual approach) or using a generic library (automatic approach). The 3D city models are exported in formats for GIS software and visualization tools, including Google Earth.