A digital surface model with Earth and object heights: a basis for 3D modelling of cities, navigation and risk analysis.
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What the service is used for
Settlements
Urban planning, architectural design, tourism, virtual tours and other tasks in settlements.
Navigation systems
DSMs are used in navigation systems.
Intelligent transport
The surface model is used in intelligent transport systems.
Urban risks and floods
Forecasting urban risks and compiling flood risk maps.
Telecommunications
Positioning of mobile phone transmitters.
Did not find your task?
Describe the territory and the DSM purpose. A specialist will clarify the source data composition and the terms of reference.
What you will receive as a result of the work
01
Digital surface model (DSM)
A three-dimensional representation of Earth's surface heights, including natural and anthropogenic objects.
A DSM is created from satellite or aerial survey materials and is used for 3D modelling of cities and other terrain objects.
What you get
- a digital surface model (DSM) for the area of interest
- heights of the Earth's surface together with objects on it
- a basis for 3D modelling of the territory
The model composition depends on the source data (stereo survey, topographic map, point cloud) and the terms of reference.
02
Source data for a DSM
A topographic map, stereo remote sensing materials and a laser-scanning point cloud.
A topographic map provides coordinates and heights of relief, buildings, roads, rivers, land-use contours and boundaries. Remote sensing stereo mode is used for DSMs and orthophotomaps. The point cloud is obtained by laser scanning.
What you get
- an agreed set of source data for the task
- stereo remote sensing materials for the DSM and orthophotomaps
- use of a laser-scanning point cloud, if available
The set of sources depends on which materials the client provides and what needs to be selected additionally.
03
3D model of the city and buildings
Integration of the source city model with photorealistic buildings, facades and landscape objects.
Building outlines are obtained from the orthoimage and the topographic map. Ground photographs of each building from several viewpoints are needed for a photorealistic 3D model. Trees, lamp posts, signs and other accessories are added to the model.
What you get
- building outlines from the orthoimage and topographic map
- photorealistic building models if ground photographs are available
- integration of facades and landscape objects into the city model
Photorealism depends on the availability of ground photographs of buildings. Manual 3D processing of aerial photographs takes a long time — automatic and semi-automatic methods are used.
04
Planning, analysis and modelling
A DSM is used in urban planning, navigation, transport, risk assessment, telecoms and flood maps.
The surface model is used for planning, analysis, visualisation and modelling: settlements, navigation and intelligent transport systems, urban risk forecast, positioning of mobile transmitters, flood risk maps.
What you get
- a surface model for the selected applied task
- data for visualisation and modelling of the territory
- a basis for risk maps and placement of infrastructure facilities
The composition of deliverables depends on the applied task and the terms of reference for a customised DSM.
How the work goes
Cost and timeline
The cost of DSM generation is calculated individually from the technical description of the area of interest.
- a technical description of the territory and the task is needed for a quote
- consultation and development of the terms of reference for a customised DSM
The cost of DSM generation is calculated individually
For a quote — a technical description of the area of interest
Consultation and ToR for a customised DSM
What is needed for a quote
To calculate DSM generation and agree the terms of reference, please send:
- a technical description of the area of interest and the task (planning, analysis, visualisation, modelling, 3D city)
- which source data are available: topographic map, stereo remote sensing materials, laser-scanning point cloud, orthoimage
- whether satellite imagery, aerial survey or both sources are needed
- whether a photorealistic 3D model of buildings is needed (ground photographs from several viewpoints)
- additional model objects: facades, trees, lamp posts, signs and other landscape elements
If the terms of reference are not ready yet, describing the territory and the DSM purpose is enough — specialists will draft the ToR for a customised model.
Describe the area of interest in simple words — we will clarify the source data composition and the estimate.
Why Innoter
Satellite and aerial survey
We create the DSM from satellite or aerial survey materials.
RS stereo mode
Stereo materials are used for the DSM and orthophotomaps.
LiDAR point cloud
The source data include a laser-scanning point cloud.
Automatic methods
Instead of labour-intensive manual 3D processing of aerial photographs, automatic and semi-automatic methods are used.
Image matching
The DSM generation approach applies to linear-array images of any type.
Customised DSM
Consultations and development of the terms of reference for an individual surface model.
Data sources and ways to build a DSM
A DSM is built from stereo satellite and aerial images, a topographic map and a laser-scanning point cloud.
1
A digital surface model (DSM) is a three-dimensional representation of Earth's surface heights, including natural or anthropogenic objects located on it.
GEO Innoter creates DSMs from satellite or aerial survey materials and uses the model for 3D modelling of cities and other terrain objects.
2
The following are used to create a DSM and 3D modelling:
- a topographic map — coordinate and height information on relief, buildings and structures, roads, rivers, land-use contours, administrative boundaries;
- remote sensing materials acquired in stereo mode — for creating the DSM and orthophotomaps;
- a point cloud obtained by laser scanning.
The orthoimage and topographic map are used to obtain building outlines.
3
A digital model of the Earth's surface is obtained automatically:
- from stereoscopic satellite images;
- from stereoscopic digital aerial photographs of various resolutions.
Manual 3D processing of aerial photographs takes a long time, so automatic or semi-automatic methods have been developed.
4
An image-matching approach has been developed to generate a DSM and extract features from high-resolution satellite images. In principle it applies to any type of linear-array images.
5
Ground photographs of each individual building from several viewpoints are required to build a photorealistic 3D model of buildings.
The final 3D model development process is the integration of the source city model with photorealistic building models, additional facades and additional accessories (landscape objects): trees, a lamp post, a sign, etc.
6
A digital surface model is used for planning, analysis, visualisation and modelling, including:
- in settlements — urban planning, architectural design, tourism, virtual tours;
- in navigation systems;
- in intelligent transport systems;
- when forecasting urban risks;
- in telecommunications — positioning of mobile phone transmitters;
- when compiling flood risk maps.
Need satellite imagery or help choosing the right data?
Describe your task, area of interest, and desired outcome. We will check data
availability, assess new acquisition options, and propose the optimal solution in terms of timelines, cost,
and quality.
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