Abstract:
Buildings are important urban components because they serve as the carrier and represent the image of a city. Establishing the 3D models of buildings is a critical base for constructing digital, virtual, and smart cities. However, existing 3D modeling methods of buildings suffer the shortcomings such as high cost, tedious and complex operations, and high labor intensity. Given this, this study proposed a method for 3D modeling of urban buildings based on multi-source data integration. Meanwhile, this study achieved the automatic construction of the 3D models of buildings using the GIS modeling technology. The main principles and operations of the modeling method are as follows. First, high-resolution satellite remote sensing images, electronic maps of building contours, and panoramic images were integrated and preprocessed on a remote sensing and GIS integration platform to extract buildings’ spatial and attribute information such as geometric boundaries, height, floor number, and roof type. Next, this study proposed a scheme for modeling the main structures of buildings based on the constructive solid geometry (CSG) method. Then, the automatic construction of the 3D models of buildings was achieved using the GIS modeling technology, as well as multiple tools in the ArctoolBox window, such as combined data processing, file conversion, spatial analysis, 3D analysis, and scripts and programs. Afterward, the 3D models of buildings were visualized using the texture mapping technology. Finally, the north campus of Huaiyin Normal University was selected to verify the modeling method proposed in this study. As indicated by the analysis of modeling process and visualization effects, the modeling method proposed in this study is characterized by low cost, simple operations, and high automatic degree and can meet the high requirements of accuracy. Meanwhile, this method has great visualization effects and can provide reliable technical solutions for the 3D modeling and visualization of large-scale urban buildings.