2.7 Tools Menu
Tools menu mainly includes the following functions: Path Roaming, Output Screen, Output DOM, Model Cropping, Format Conversion, Coordinate Conversion, Watermark, Vector Selection, Vector Query.
Path Roaming
The Path Roaming feature allows users to create and edit custom paths in the 3D Model Viewer to achieve automatic roaming effects and export the roaming process to video. This feature is divided into two modes: Path Fly and Fly Around a Point, providing users with diversified roaming experiences.
Users need to log in first.
Path Fly
Click on "Tools"-"Path Fly", and the system will display the "Path Fly" interface.
Click [New Path] to establish a new path, such as "Path 1".
Adjust the viewpoint of the model, then click [Add Viewpoint] to record the current position and perspective.
Drag the model to the next viewpoint position, adjust the angle, and then click [Add Viewpoint] again. Repeat this step to create a path for the video.
Tick the [Set total time] box to set the total time.
Click [Adjust Viewpoint] to adjust the viewpoint position.
Click [Play] and the program will automatically preview the video in the order of viewpoint.
The [Frame Rate] parameter controls the video frame rate.
The [Resolution] parameter controls the video resolution.
Click on [Recording] and select the location where you want to save the video in the pop-up window to complete the video production.
Fly Around a Point
Click on "Tools"-"Fly Around a Point", and the system will display the "Fly Around a Point" interface.
Click [New Path] to establish a new path, such as "Path 1".
Click [Add Centre Point] and select a position in the view, you can set a centre point, the program will record the current position and viewpoint.
The height of the centre point can be adjusted by dragging the axis.
[Rotation Speed], [Rotation Count], [Rotation Direction] and [Estimated Time]. These parameters may control a video rotation effect.
Click [Play] to preview the video.
The [Frame Rate] parameter controls the video frame rate.
The [Resolution] parameter controls the video resolution.
Click on [Recording] and select the location where you want to save the video in the pop-up window to complete the video production.
Output Screen
The Output Screen feature allows the user to capture the current screen display of the 3D Model Viewer and save it as an image file. This is useful for documenting the status of a model, creating presentation materials, or sharing the appearance of a model.
Screenshot operation: After the user clicks the Screenshot button, a dialog box appears for setting parameters related to the screenshot.
Image size setting: In the dialog box, users can set the size of the output image to meet different needs.
Image Output Path: Users need to specify a folder or path to save the screenshot file.
HD Image Output: After click [Export], the system outputs a high-definition image file according to the parameters set by the user.
Parallel and perspective projection: Users can choose whether to check the "export using parallel projection" option. When the option is checked, the view is temporarily converted to parallel projection mode for taking screenshots to achieve specific visual effects. When the screenshot is finished, the view automatically returns to perspective projection mode.
Output DOM
Output DOM is to transform the 3D model data into 2D image map with geographic coordinate information, which is often called DOM (Digital Orthophoto Map) and DSM (Digital Surface Model).DOM is the orthographically corrected aerial film or remote sensing image, which has the characteristics of high accuracy, rich information, beautiful and practical; while DSM describes the three-dimensional shape of the ground surface.
Through the ortho map output function, users can easily obtain the 2D image map with geographic coordinate information, which provides basic data for subsequent map production and data analysis.
Start the Output DOM function: Click the [Output DOM] button to set the output parameters.
Set the output path: Specify a folder as the output path of the DOM.
Select coordinate system: Select the appropriate coordinate system according to your needs. Different coordinate systems may require different computing resources and time, and large differences in coordinate systems may cause deformation of the output image.
Set Resolution: Enter the desired resolution of the output image in centimeters. This determines the size of each pixel in real geographic space.
Select Background Color: Select the background color from the drop-down list. Options include black, white, and transparent (available for tif format only).
Output Split: If you need to split the output, check the [Output Split] and set the size of the split in pixels.
Output DSM: If you need to generate Digital Surface Model files at the same time, check the [Output DSM] option.
Output file description
prj file: This is the projection information file of the geospatial data, which describes the coordinate system of the data.
tfw file: This is a world file used in conjunction with a tif format image file to provide geographic coordinate information.
tif file: Tagged Image File Format is a flexible bitmap format that supports a wide range of metadata, including geotags.
Model Cropping
The Model Cropping feature allows the user to crop the excess portion of the model to meet specific needs, leaving only the desired portion. This is useful when working with large or complex model data, especially when only certain areas of the model are needed.
Select the clipping area
Users can import a kml format file as the clipping area, or use the screen drawing function to draw the clipping area directly on the model. When drawing, click [Screen Drawing] and left-click on the model to draw the area, and you can draw multiple surfaces. When you are finished drawing, click the [Eed Drawing] button. Drawing multiple faces means that multiple areas can be cut at once.
Select Model
Note that this model cropping function only supports the operation of models in osgb format.
Select Cutting Method
The system provides two kinds of cutting methods: inside [Delete Internal] and [Delete Extenrnal] . Inside cut refers to cutting the contents of the user's box, while outside cut refers to cutting the contents outside the box. For cloud models, only the preview function is supported. For local models, users can choose between cutting preview and actual model cutting.
Setting Output Directory
After cropping, you need to specify a folder to save the cropped model.
Crop Preview
Before cutting, you can choose to preview the cut to see the effect of the cut. This preview operation is performed only at the display level and does not actually crop the original data. Users can restore the original display by clicking the "Restore" button in the upper left corner or by unchecking the preview.
Before performing a crop, it is recommended that users preview the crop to ensure that the crop is as expected. Model cropping is available to member users only.
Format Conversion
The Format Conversion feature allows users to easily convert between different 3D model formats to meet the needs of different platforms and applications. This feature is currently available only to registered and logged in users to ensure that users can use the conversion service safely and effectively.
Users need to log in first
OBJ to OSGB
OBJ is a common 3D model format, while OSGB is a proprietary format which has higher loading efficiency and better browsing experience. Users can convert OBJ format to OSGB format by following the steps below:
Select the OBJ file or directory to convert.
Specify the OSGB output directory.
Select whether to rebuild the top layer data if necessary.
Select the supported texture format, one of jpg, dxt1, dxt3, dxt5 is recommended.
Set the texture quality, the recommended value is 90%.
Select node size, choose the appropriate size according to the model structure.
Choose whether to write normals or not (Note: writing normals will increase the file size by about 30%).
Click the "Conversion" button, after the conversion is finished you can see the generated OSGB data in the output path.
OSGB to OBJ
Users can also convert OSGB format to OBJ format for use in other platforms or software. The conversion process also supports the texture swing function, which can reduce the occupied storage space. The procedure is as follows:
Select the OSGB data path you want to convert.
Specify the output OBJ data path.
Select whether to perform texture mapping or not.
Click the "Convert" button, after the conversion is completed, view the generated OBJ data in the output path.
OSGB to 3DTiles
3DTiles is a layered tile format for large-scale 3D terrain and model data, suitable for efficient loading and rendering on the web. Users can convert OSGB format to 3DTiles format for easy web presentation. The conversion steps are as follows:
Select the OSGB directory to be converted.
Select the output 3DTiles directory.
Select whether to rebuild the top layer data if necessary.
Select the supported texture format, one of jpg, webp, ktx, crn is recommended.
Set the texture quality, the recommended value is 90%.
Select whether to use vertex compression.
Choose whether to write normals or not (note: writing normals will increase the file size by about 30%).
Click the "Conversion" button, after the conversion is finished you will see the generated 3DTiles data in the output path.
3DTiles to OSGB
Users can also convert 3DTiles back to OSGB format for use in other software that supports OSGB format. The conversion steps are as follows:
Select the 3DTiles file path to convert.
Specify the output OSGB data path.
Click the "Conversion" button, after the conversion is finished, view the generated OSGB data in the output path.
Coordinate Conversion
The coordinate conversion function allows users to convert the coordinate system of the source data to another coordinate system to meet the requirements of different application scenarios.
Source data path
Users need to select the path of OSGB or OBJ data to be converted. To ensure the accuracy of the conversion, the file organization should meet specific requirements.
Set Coordinate System
When the user selects OSGB/OBJ data, the system automatically tries to read the coordinate system information from the data's Metadata.xml file. If the metadata file is not found or does not contain coordinate system information, the user must manually select or enter the appropriate coordinate system.
Setting the Coordinate Origin
Similarly, the system tries to read the coordinate origin information from the Metadata.xml file. If the information is missing, the user needs to provide it manually.
Output data path
Users need to select the output path of the converted data.
Set Coordinate System
In this step, users need to set the target coordinate system for the output OSGB/OBJ data. The system provides a "spatial reference system database" from which users can select the existing coordinate system. In addition, the user can also customize the coordinate system by adding or pasting the default WKT (Well-Known Text) definition and setting a name for it through the editing window.
Setting the Coordinate Origin
The user must set a new coordinate origin for the output data. The system will attempt to read the coordinate origin information from the source data, but the user can also edit and modify it as needed.
Conversion Method
The system provides four types of coordinate transformation to meet the needs of different scenarios:
No ellipsoid conversion required: applicable to transformation between different coordinate systems under the same ellipsoid.
Direct translation method: Allows users to input the translation amount of the xyz-axis to realize the direct translation of the coordinate system.
Four-parameter conversion: applies to the transformation of any plane coordinate system with a point range within 10 kilometers. This transformation requires at least two control points and performs only plane transformation without changing the height information.
Seven-parameter conversion: for all point ranges greater than 15 kilometers between different ellipsoids. This transformation requires at least three control points and involves both planar and elevation transformations.
Submitting tasks
When the user has filled in all the necessary information according to the requirements, he can click the [Export] button to start the coordinate transformation. After the conversion is completed, the user can find the converted OSGB/OBJ data in the specified output path.
Watermark
Users can add text or image watermarks to model files. This function can effectively prevent the model files from being illegally copied or stolen, and protect the rights and interests of the creators.
Text Watermark: When selecting text watermark, users can customize the content of the watermark, including text editing, font selection, color selection, and so on. In addition, users can also adjust the visibility, rotation angle, horizontal spacing, and vertical spacing of the watermark to ensure that the watermark has the best visual effect on the model.
Image Watermark: For image watermark, users can select an image as a watermark and make appropriate adjustments such as visibility, rotation angle, horizontal spacing, and vertical spacing. In this way, users can add their logo or a specific image as a watermark to the model to further enhance the model's recognition and copyright protection.
Watermark Preview and Model Export: For local models, users can preview the watermark effect after adding the watermark. If the effect is satisfactory, users can choose to export the model file with watermark.
Please note that non-member users can only support the watermark preview function and cannot export the model file with watermark.
Vector Selection
Allows users to accurately identify and select individual entities from a complex model that are associated with specific target identification results. By combining the tilted 3D model with the target identification results, users can visualize and query attributes of specific features to deepen their understanding of the model and use of the data.
Entity selection: Under the selection function, users can select specific entities from the tilted 3D model by clicking or box selection. These entities can be buildings, roads, vegetation, and other types of features, depending on the accuracy of the target recognition results.
Visual display: Once specific entities are selected, the system highlights them in the 3D model using highlighting or other visual cues. This helps the user quickly locate and focus on the selected entities to better understand their location and relationship in the model.
Attribute querying: In addition to the visual display, the selection function is usually accompanied by an attribute query function. Users can query the attribute information of the selected entities, such as name, type, height, area, etc., to obtain more detailed data. This information helps the user to further analyze the features and attributes of the features and support decision making.
Vector Query
Allows the user to query the attributes of the feature types in the vector layer associated with the 3D model. This feature allows the user to gain an in-depth understanding of the detailed attributes and characteristics of each feature in the vector layer for better spatial analysis and decision making.
Attribute Query: Users can select specific feature types or attribute conditions to filter and query the features in the vector layer through the query function. For example, users can query based on the attributes of feature name, type, area, height, etc. to get the list of eligible features.
Highlighting: After the query results are returned, the system highlights the eligible features in the 3D model so that users can quickly locate and identify these features. Highlighting typically takes the form of colors, borders, or other visual cues.
Display detailed information: In addition to highlighting, the system also provides detailed information display of the query results. This information can include attribute data, spatial location, related documents, etc., so that the user can have a complete understanding of the characteristics and attributes of the feature.
Last updated
