Tiling 3D Terrain Models

Abstract
To enable a 3D smooth navigation on the web, we need a web service to deliver these huge models in many small rectangular pieces. We will discuss the development of such service and describe the algorithms to divide large terrain models in small 3D tiles, hierarchically organized in different levels.

The same techniques are been used successfully in the web mapping world. Almost every web mapping application requests asynchronously small tiles from the server side, to dynamically fill the all user's view. We will show how to apply the same principles to 3D models. We will demonstrate the techniques mostly apply to terrain models, but it works as well for any kind of 3D models in the GIS domain.

With the techniques explained in this paper, within the context of a 3D web service, we are able to provide a fast 3D service, since all tiles are pre-calculated. Clients can be written to take advantage of the tile service, to provide nice and smooth 3D navigation.

W3DS in Action
W3DS in Action

W3DS for testing
If you just want to test the W3DS implementation, we have a server up and running. The available bandwidth and hardware are very limited. It should be used just for the initial exploitation.

Online W3DS server

We also have a compiled version of the W3DS (*.war) ready to be deployed in your JAVA application server. Instructions applies to Tomcat.

W3DS deployment

After installing the service, you can add our prepared dataset, or you can follow the instruction to add your own data. Our dataset refers to the City of Guimarães.

Adding sample data

Adding data sources to W3DS
We provided some guidance how to add 3D data sources to the W3DS service. This W3DS implementation allows you to preview the data source on the browser, so you can immediately see the resulting data.

Adding 3D data sources to W3DS

For developers
If you are a developer, of if you need to know exactly how W3DS service is implemented, follow our instructions.

We provide detailed instructions for Ubuntu, using Eclipse. Since this a wiki, feel free to update the instructions, if something is missing or if is slightly different in your environment.

W3DS Implementation for Developers