Custom 3D terrain mesh and flattern

[Davide Ferrara]

Hi everyone,
I've made the entire airport terrain mesh on 3DsMax to fix the orribile default mesh of my airport. I've exported this as custom flattern with Mcx the only problem see the aliasing of the terrain on long distance. Anyone knows a better way to do it?
My goals is to fix the coast mesh too and make some tunnels and terrain slopes. Thanks.

 

[arno]

Hi,

Can you show what you mean with the aliasing problem? Does that come from terrain textures that follow your new flatten or did you place a ground polygon on it as well?

 

[Davide Ferrara]

 

[GaryGB]

Hi Davide:

IIUC, this is for LICR Reggio Calabria airport.

You have already done some very nice work there, as seen in your screenshots thus far.

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If you wish to add some more high detail terrain enhancement to the surrounding environment at LICR, you may need to use both custom local terrain mesh and a 3D model for this airports tunnels etc.


The 3D model of the navigable surfaces (ex: as a G-Poly) can be hardened with a attached "Platform" where they cross over a tunnel.

The CVX vector sloped flatten modifies display of elevation data points of any local terrain mesh.

The FS terrain grid 'quads' will always be subject to jagged edges and quad edge 'aliasing' as a function of aircraft camera distance associated with LOD switching.

So, in some areas, it is best to use a 3D model as a G-Poly that is placed on top of- and blended into- the sloped flatten terrain surface.

The 3D model G-Poly will allow greater control over LOD switching and display of straight edges etc., while allowing one to have tunnels that pass underneath the airport surface provided by the G-Poly,

The terrain surface under the 3D model G-Poly can be provided by the sloped flatten and/or a high-resolution custom terrain mesh BGL (made via SDK Resample from LiDAR elevation source data).


Some screenshots follow below, which are derived from examples seen in Google Earth Desktop Edition:

Earth Versions – Google Earth

www.google.com

https://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/attachments/reggio-calabria-airport-zip.57006/


After installing Google Earth, and downloading the Reggio Calabria Airport.zip file linked immediately above, un-ZIP the archived *.KMZ file, then double-click it; allow it to load in Google Earth.


Here is how detailed such a LiDAR data set can be for your project location:

FYI: There is 1-Meter-between-elevation-data-points LiDAR source data available for this area.

AFAIK, both a DSM and DTM version of this data set is available.

[EDITED]

European Data Portal

www.europeandataportal.eu

Also:

"A high resolution LIDAR
TOOL CARTOGRAPHY - Jul 31,2017 - 17 Comments

The Ministry of the Environment took over a slice of Italy and made the results available in high resolution. In this article I will explain the procedure for requesting and obtaining LIDAR data with 1 × 1 m mesh, a truly useful and powerful tool for geographical analysis, feasibility studies and preliminary projects of works in the area. Negligible expense, a few emails and a little waiting ..."

https://translate.google.com/transl....it/un-lidar-ad-alta-risoluzione/&prev=search

[END_EDIT]


DSM LAST LiDAR con risoluzione a terra 1 metro - Regione Calabria

Geoportal RNDT

geodati.gov.it

DTM LiDAR con risoluzione a terra 1 metro - Regione Calabria

Dataset: DTM LiDAR con risoluzione a terra 1 metro - Regione Calabria - Free GIS data

Geoportale Nazionale Viewer

.:: Geoportale Nazionale ::.

Geoportale Nazionale - Il Visualizzatore Cartografico consente la visualizzazione e l'utilizzo della cartografia di base nazionale. L'Italia a portata di click!

www.pcn.minambiente.it

If processed via a GIS application and compiled via SDK Resample, you can make a high resolution custom local terrain mesh, and use a triangulated sub-set of the data for a 3D model and sloped flatten that fits seamlessly together with the custom terrain mesh.


PS: If you do create a version of this scenery using 1 Meter resolution elevation data, and you want to see how much the edges of CVX vector objects can be rendered in P3D without as much aliasing, you can enable a higher resolution terrain grid independently from that provided via the internal resolution of a terrain mesh BGL either by setting P3D GUI Terrain Mesh Resolution slider to 1 Meter, or by editing parameter values in the 'active' Prepar3D.Cfg file.

I recommend P3D GUI Tessellation slider be set to a max. Right position for max. terrain rendering precision:

* Tessellation Factor (aka "Terrain Mesh Complexity" in MSFS) at 100 %


If you wish, you can enable an even higher resolution terrain grid independently from that provided via the internal resolution of a terrain mesh BGL; this will create more closely-spaced grid vertices onto which vector objects and terrain mesh data can be displayed with less aliasing (...as a function of the FS rendering engine quad 'tile' infrastructure).

Assuming you have at least a DX-11 video card, in Prepar3D.Cfg, you may wish to test:

[TERRAIN]
LOD_RADIUS=3.500000
TESSELLATION_FACTOR=100 ; Tessellation Factor is aka "Terrain Mesh Complexity" in MSFS2Kx
MESH_RESOLUTION=25 ; 25 = 1.2 M, 26 = 60 cm, 27 = 30 cm, 28 = 15 cm, 29 = 7.5 cm, 30 = 3.75 cm
TEXTURE_RESOLUTION=30

See: https://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/threads/flattens.425495/post-633002

If you do not have a DX-11 or DX-12 video card, and you have a problem displaying Hi-Res mesh in P3D, let us know.


Hope this helps as an initial overview of your options as you consider how to proceed with this project.


GaryGB

 

[Davide Ferrara]

Hi Davide:

IIUC, this is for LICR Reggio Calabria airport.

You have already done some very nice work there, as seen in your screenshots thus far.

Log into Facebook

Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.

www.facebook.com

If you wish to add some more high detail terrain enhancement to the surrounding environment at LICR, you may need to use both custom local terrain mesh and a 3D model for this airports tunnels etc.


The 3D model of the navigable surfaces (ex: as a G-Poly) can be hardened with a attached "Platform" where they cross over a tunnel.

The CVX vector sloped flatten modifies display of elevation data points of any local terrain mesh.

The FS terrain grid 'quads' will always be subject to jagged edges and quad edge 'aliasing' as a function of aircraft camera distance associated with LOD switching.

So, in some areas, it is best to use a 3D model as a G-Poly that is placed on top of- and blended into- the sloped flatten terrain surface.

The 3D model G-Poly will allow greater control over LOD switching and display of straight edges etc., while allowing one to have tunnels that pass underneath the airport surface provided by the G-Poly,

The terrain surface under the 3D model G-Poly can be provided by the sloped flatten and/or a high-resolution custom terrain mesh BGL (made via SDK Resample from LiDAR elevation source data).


Some screenshots follow below, which are derived from examples seen in Google Earth Desktop Edition:

Earth Versions – Google Earth

www.google.com

https://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/attachments/reggio-calabria-airport-zip.57006/


After installing Google Earth, and downloading the Reggio Calabria Airport.zip file linked immediately above, un-ZIP the archived *.KMZ file, then double-click it; allow it to load in Google Earth.


Here is how detailed such a LiDAR data set can be for your project location:

FYI: There is 1-Meter-between-elevation-data-points LiDAR source data available for this area.

AFAIK, both a DSM and DTM version of this data set is available.


DSM LAST LiDAR con risoluzione a terra 1 metro - Regione Calabria

Geoportal RNDT

geodati.gov.it

DTM LiDAR con risoluzione a terra 1 metro - Regione Calabria

Dataset: DTM LiDAR con risoluzione a terra 1 metro - Regione Calabria - Free GIS data

Geoportale Nazionale Viewer

.:: Geoportale Nazionale ::.

Geoportale Nazionale - Il Visualizzatore Cartografico consente la visualizzazione e l'utilizzo della cartografia di base nazionale. L'Italia a portata di click!

www.pcn.minambiente.it

If processed via a GIS application and compiled via SDK Resample, you can make a high resolution custom local terrain mesh, and use a triangulated sub-set of the data for a 3D model and sloped flatten that fits seamlessly together with the custom terrain mesh.


PS: If you do create a version of this scenery using 1 Meter resolution elevation data, and you want to see how much the edges of CVX vector objects can be rendered in P3D without as much aliasing, you can enable a higher resolution terrain grid independently from that provided via the internal resolution of a terrain mesh BGL either by setting P3D GUI Terrain Mesh Resolution slider to 1 Meter, or by editing parameter values in the 'active' Prepar3D.Cfg file.

I recommend P3D GUI Tessellation slider be set to a max. Right position for max. terrain rendering precision:

* Tessellation Factor (aka "Terrain Mesh Complexity" in MSFS) at 100 %


If you wish, you can enable an even higher resolution terrain grid independently from that provided via the internal resolution of a terrain mesh BGL; this will create more closely-spaced grid vertices onto which vector objects and terrain mesh data can be displayed with less aliasing (...as a function of the FS rendering engine quad 'tile' infrastructure).

Assuming you have at least a DX-11 video card, in Prepar3D.Cfg, you may wish to test:

[TERRAIN]
LOD_RADIUS=3.500000
TESSELLATION_FACTOR=100 ; Tessellation Factor is aka "Terrain Mesh Complexity" in MSFS2Kx
MESH_RESOLUTION=25 ; 25 = 1.2 M, 26 = 60 cm, 27 = 30 cm, 28 = 15 cm, 29 = 7.5 cm, 30 = 3.75 cm
TEXTURE_RESOLUTION=30

See: https://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/threads/flattens.425495/post-633002

If you do not have a DX-11 or DX-12 video card, and you have a problem displaying Hi-Res mesh in P3D, let us know.


Hope this helps as an initial overview of your options as you consider how to proceed with this project.


GaryGB

Ok I'm going crazy xD...
I get to this point then i don't know how to export the data, I've spent 3 hours without figuring out the problem, I'm sure is a stupid thing and you can help me.

 

[GaryGB]

Hi Davide:


I just now checked on this thread, but as it is quite late here in the USA, I shall need to reply tomorrow morning (USA Central time zone).


In the mean time, please:

1.) Right-click on the loaded DSM LiDAR source data layer in Global Mapper Control Center

2.) Click on [Metadata] button

3.) Copy to Windows Clipboard

4.) Paste the resulting Metadata text for that LiDAR source into a reply in this thread


I will then be better able to advise you on how to utilize the data set shown in your example test above.


NOTE: The data set shown is a 2x2 Meter (lower) resolution rather than a 1x1 Meter (higher) resolution; is this what you want to use ?


PS: I have not yet had time to pursue download of this data set; can you send me a link to download the intended file set via a PM here ?


Also, which numeric version of Global Mapper are you currently using ?

GaryGB

 

[Davide Ferrara]

Hi Davide:


I just now checked on this thread, but as it is quite late here in the USA, I shall need to reply tomorrow morning (USA Central time zone).


In the mean time, please:

1.) Right-click on the loaded DSM LiDAR source data layer in Global Mapper Control Center

2.) Click on [Metadata] button

3.) Copy to Windows Clipboard

4.) Paste the resulting Metadata text for that LiDAR source into a reply in this thread


I will then be better able to advise you on how to utilize the data set shown in your example test above.


NOTE: The data set shown is a 2x2 Meter (lower) resolution rather than a 1x1 Meter (higher) resolution; is this what you want to use ?


PS: I have not yet had time to pursue download of this data set; can you send me a link to download the intended file set via a PM here ?


Also, which numeric version of Global Mapper are you currently using ?

GaryGB

The airport in the 1x1 data is cut out this is why I have the 2x2 loaded.

FILENAME=
DESCRIPTION=DSM FIRST LiDAR con risoluzione a terra 2 metri - Regione Calabria (Terrain res of 2m)
UPPER LEFT X=15.6000000000
UPPER LEFT Y=40.1600000000
LOWER RIGHT X=17.3000000000
LOWER RIGHT Y=37.8800000000
WEST LONGITUDE=15° 36' 00.0000" E
NORTH LATITUDE=40° 09' 36.0000" N
EAST LONGITUDE=17° 18' 00.0000" E
SOUTH LATITUDE=37° 52' 48.0000" N
UL CORNER LONGITUDE=15° 36' 00.0000" E
UL CORNER LATITUDE=40° 09' 36.0000" N
UR CORNER LONGITUDE=17° 18' 00.0000" E
UR CORNER LATITUDE=40° 09' 36.0000" N
LR CORNER LONGITUDE=17° 18' 00.0000" E
LR CORNER LATITUDE=37° 52' 48.0000" N
LL CORNER LONGITUDE=15° 36' 00.0000" E
LL CORNER LATITUDE=37° 52' 48.0000" N
PROJ_DESC=Geographic (Latitude/Longitude) / WGS84 / arc degrees
PROJ_DATUM=WGS84
PROJ_UNITS=arc degrees
EPSG_CODE=EPSG:4326
COVERED AREA=37261 sq km
NUM BANDS=4
PIXEL WIDTH=0.0000987 arc degrees
PIXEL HEIGHT=0.0000987 arc degrees
BIT DEPTH=24

I'm using Global Mapper v21

 

[Davide Ferrara]

I manage to isolate the data to only lidar ground vertex I guess?

FILENAME=
DESCRIPTION=
AREA COUNT=197313
AREA VERTEX COUNT=870967
LINE COUNT=0
POINT COUNT=0
MESH COUNT=0
UPPER LEFT X=3325840.044
UPPER LEFT Y=249721.179
LOWER RIGHT X=3328982.641
LOWER RIGHT Y=245738.425
WEST LONGITUDE=15° 37' 43.6106" E
NORTH LATITUDE=38° 05' 12.6468" N
EAST LONGITUDE=15° 40' 07.4657" E
SOUTH LATITUDE=38° 02' 54.9639" N
UL CORNER LONGITUDE=15° 38' 00.6259" E
UL CORNER LATITUDE=38° 05' 12.6468" N
UR CORNER LONGITUDE=15° 40' 07.4657" E
UR CORNER LATITUDE=38° 05' 02.0073" N
LR CORNER LONGITUDE=15° 39' 50.3784" E
LR CORNER LATITUDE=38° 02' 54.9639" N
LL CORNER LONGITUDE=15° 37' 43.6106" E
LL CORNER LATITUDE=38° 03' 05.5974" N
PROJ_DESC=Swiss Grid (LV95) / CH1903+ / meters
PROJ_DATUM=SWISS GRID (CH1903+)
PROJ_UNITS=meters
EPSG_CODE=EPSG:2056
BBOX AREA=12.516 sq km

 

[GaryGB]

Hi Davide:

Could you provide the original download URL in a PM, for the LiDAR data set file (before it was opened in / processed by Global Mapper) ?

What was the full name (with file extension) of that original LiDAR data set file before it was opened in / processed by Global Mapper ?


FYI: Source data for terrain mesh / flattens must be in a 'warped' EPSG:4326 GIS Projection file format.


BTW: Source data used for 3D modeling must be in a non-warped EPSG:3857 GIS Projection file format.


PS: Please see the edit to my initial reply above in this thread:

https://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/threads/custom-3d-terrain-mesh-and-flattern.447398/post-842080


GaryGB

 

[Davide Ferrara]

Hi Davide:

Could you provide the original download URL in a PM, for the LiDAR data set file (before it was opened in / processed by Global Mapper) ?

What was the full name (with file extension) of that original LiDAR data set file before it was opened in / processed by Global Mapper ?


FYI: Source data for terrain mesh / flattens must be in a 'warped' EPSG:4326 GIS Projection file format.


BTW: Source data used for 3D modeling must be in a non-warped EPSG:3857 GIS Projection file format.


PS: Please see the edit to my initial reply above in this thread:

https://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/threads/custom-3d-terrain-mesh-and-flattern.447398/post-842080


GaryGB

The file is LIDAR_CALABRIA.map extension, the source is

"http://wms.pcn.minambiente.it/ogc?map=/ms_ogc/WMS_v1.3/servizi-LiDAR/LIDAR_CALABRIA.map"

I've put this on global mapper to download the map.

PS: The data from http://www.pcn.minambiente.it/viewer/ can't be downloaded, I have to send the email request to the ministry of the environment and wait 30 days.

 

[GaryGB]

Hi Davide:

Your task requires actual LiDAR elevation data identified via the Viewer portal and requested from M.O.E.

The WMS data only displays a graphic of a map of coverage extents assembled on the WMS GIS data applications, which is not actual elevation source data that could be used as a elevation data source.

This has been an increasing problem with the EU GIS data portals.


PS: Be sure to note the latter part of the [EDITED] info I linked to above:

https://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/threads/custom-3d-terrain-mesh-and-flattern.447398/post-842080

"GOOD NEWS of October 2018 !!!

Now I can write it with certainty, because I have tried it and I have had confirmation from several readers of the blog: the times for the delivery of data have been reduced .
And much !!!

To date, the Ministry fulfills a request in a few days!

If you are ready with pre-filled forms and paid postal order it is a matter of waiting just over 24 hours.

This is excellent news to which my personal applause goes to the ministerial service.
Thanks!"


Perhaps we may see an updated status on your data from you in a few days ?

GaryGB

 

[Davide Ferrara]

Hi Davide:

Your task requires actual LiDAR elevation data identified via the Viewer portal and requested from M.O.E.

The WMS data only displays a graphic of a map of coverage extents assembled on the WMS GIS data applications, which is not actual elevation source data that could be used as a elevation data source.

This has been an increasing problem with the EU GIS data portals.


PS: Be sure to note the latter part of the [EDITED] info I linked to above:

https://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/threads/custom-3d-terrain-mesh-and-flattern.447398/post-842080

"GOOD NEWS of October 2018 !!!

Now I can write it with certainty, because I have tried it and I have had confirmation from several readers of the blog: the times for the delivery of data have been reduced .
And much !!!

To date, the Ministry fulfills a request in a few days!

If you are ready with pre-filled forms and paid postal order it is a matter of waiting just over 24 hours.

This is excellent news to which my personal applause goes to the ministerial service.
Thanks!"


Perhaps we may see an updated status on your data from you in a few days ?

GaryGB

I don't know, remember the covid19 problems we have in italy