Smooth transformations between generalized 3D building models for visualization purposes

Abstract

The generation of highly detailed 3D city models has significantly matured over the last couple of years. Especially for visualization purposes, these models are needed at several levels of detail (LOD) in fine granular steps that also allow for a smooth transformation from one level to the next to avoid pop-up artifacts. Several methods have been proposed for the automatic generalization of 3D building models that simplify the geometry of given boundary-based models at discrete LODs. In this paper, we present an approach to generate a transformation sequence between two discrete LODs with the purpose to later build a continuous LOD sequence. The method is based on mesh simplification techniques that are extended to a restricted use of edge collapse and vertex move operations applied on triangle meshes augmented by additional breaking lines. The validity of the approach is demonstrated on a case study that is close to reality.