Multifaceted facade textures for 3D city models

Bogdahn, J

Abstract

Three-dimensional digital representations of cities are widely used today, from urban
planning to navigation systems, emergency response and to energy and flood simu-
lations. Many of these scenarios can be served by one multipurpose 3D city model
that has the semantic and attribute information depth that is required (besides the ge-
ometrical detail). These multipurpose models do not only represent the geometrical
properties and textures and materials, which would be sufficient for pure visualization
of the urban space, they also model semantic entities like walls, roofs, ground, etc. And
all these parts , as well as the buildings, as specific, identifiable entities, can be linked
to additional information and data sets from other sources.
However, although these models have the required information-richness and can be
used beyond pure visualization, one part of these models is still treated the same way
as for pure visualization models: the textures. Textures in most of today's city models
are still a tool to enhance the photo-realistic appearance. The primary task of the
textures is still to add the 'naturalistic' elements that are not modelled in geometry.
These elements are mainly located in the fagades, namely windows, doors, signs, fire
escapes and many more.
The presented work investigates how textures can be used for information visualization,
which is more useful for the aforementioned multipurpose city models. A new texture
concept is presented that is based on flexible content, which is managed in layers. In
this way it is possible to adapt the appearance of buildings (especially fagades) to the
actual scenario. The concept also allows the integration of additional information into
the fagade, enhancing the 3D city model. In this way it is possible to generate scenario
specific fagade textures integrating the relevant information into the texture content.

Citation

Bogdahn, J. Multifaceted facade textures for 3D city models. (Thesis). Salford : University of Salford

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Oct 3, 2012
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 22, 2017
• Award Date: Jan 1, 2012