Köln completely reconstructed in 3D

28 November 2007, 6:08pm

Potsdam, 28.11.2007 - To plunge form hundreds of meters into the river Rhein, then glide along the dark stream, elegantly circle the two mighty towers of the world's most famous cathedral and the town's landmark, to finally lose yourself gliding into the narrow alleys of Cologne's old city - what sounds like science fiction can now become reality for everyone. At least, if you have access to a computer and the new DVD "Cologne's City Maps plus Cologne.3D". The head of Department for Economy and deputy of the City of Cologne, Dr. Norbert Walter-Borjans, has presented the fourth edition of the map and aerial image collection to the public in the 28th of November 2007 "We want to make spatial data of their home town available to the people of Cologne. Through integrated character and word functions and the possibility to add your own photos, the user can use the data for his own purposes, for example to create a striking site map for the company." explains Sabine Schmidt, who is
the responsible division manager at the department for Real Estate, Surveying and Land Register of the City of Cologne. The 3000 samples will probably be sold out even more quickly than their predecessors, as the user
is provided with not only the German General Map (Grundkarte), historic maps, the land utilization map, cadastral maps and aerial images, but also a 3D city model of the city for the PC at home.

The observer can virtually fly over the city and has the possibility to receive information on utilization, measurements and addresses. The
buildings are depicted as simple block models on level of detail 1 (LOD 1).

Additionally the model incorporates 35 high detail building models (LOD 3).

Thus the cathedral, the roman churches and the Hohenzollern Bridge or the stadium are realistically reconstructed. Around half of the LOD 3 models were exactly modeled and half have an accurately textured façade. As a special visual high light the model can be underlayed with aerial images or other map material.

The basic technology for the virtual Cologne was developed by researchers of the Hasso Plattner Institute for software technology (HPI) of the University of Potsdam. The software for the 3D model and the realistic impression as well as the presentation techniques were provided by 3D Geo a Potsdam company and a spin-off of the HPI. Core element for the generation of the model is the 3D geo software "LandXplorer", a software-system for the easy management and update of large amounts of geo-data. It offers far reaching functions for the interactive composition and presentation of complex 3D city models.

Additionally it supports the exploration, editing and analysis of the models. LandXplorer is able to process large data sets automatically and to transform two dimensional real life images into the third dimension. From
two dimensional map data it can automatically create block models, onto which façade textures can be projected in a next step. The creation of the Cologne city model was undertaken by the 3D geo integration partner VirtualcitySYSTEMS a company located in Dresden. The CEO, Ingolf Jung will travel to Cologne to be present at the presentation.

The 3D City model allows not only the visualtistion of the city building but also the integration of additional data. Currently the DVD included a simulation of the different flood water levels of the river Rhein. Through the prediction of the flood water extents in the flood prone areas better rescue and prevention measures can be undertaken. But the model has even more potential: applications from areas such as town and country planning,
business development and real estate can be linked to the model.

For further information contact:
Marc Hildebrandt
3D Geo GmbH
Försterweg 3
14482 Potsdam
marc.hildebrandt@3dgeo.de

www.LandXplorer.com

Geo: International