3D Modelling/Geographic Terrains

In this learning resource is based on the Open Community Approach and focuses on the 3D terrain modelling. The models can use

• fictional 3D terains,
• based on real Digital Elevation Models e.g. from Open Street Map,
• from open content 3D models of terrains in which you want to place your 3D objects as environment or
• by Photogrammetry, which provides a point cloud of your 3D terrain for further 3D editing in you Open Source software.

STL 3D model of the Moon with 10× elevation exaggeration rendered with data from the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter

Learning Task

• (Blender and Digital Elevation Model) Explore the digital elevation models. Import a 3D model of a greographical region of choice from Open Streetmap in Blender (Blender OSM Import plugin). A map (in Open Street Map) is in mostly perceived a 2D resource. Explain how the third dimension can be loaded into Blender surface terrain.
• (Land Slides and Disaster Management) Extreme event could cause land slides. Explain how Digital Elevation Model with a comparison of pre and post disaster DEM could help identify where land slides occurred and where the land slides blocked road for emergency and rescue.
• (Photogrammetry) Explore the 3D model of the moon and explain how a 3D model can be created with photogrammetry.

See also

• Photogrammetry
• Open Community Approach
• Blender