3-D Urban Feature Data

A Few City Blocks to Whole 3-D Countries

SAIC's expert staff can compile areas of any size and dimension, anywhere from a few city blocks to whole cities to whole countries and larger. Production is geared towards rapidly adapting to various scales and standardized specifications for the generation of full 3-D datasets.

The production process, which can be tailored, consists of three major steps: 3-D feature extraction, 3-D feature finishing, and feature quality control.

3-D feature extraction is performed using the latest satellite imagery, including extracting height values from the stereo imagery. Existing vector data can be used as reference features or as a basis for spatial and attribute information. In addition, with the use of automated light detection and ranging (LIDAR) tools and data, collection can occur very quickly for building, vegetation, and some transportation features, among others.

Feature finishing is the process of creating a seamless database and is performed after feature extraction. Finishing is done using standard commercial off-the-shelf software, along with highly customized and efficient, in-house built tools. This unique combination of software and tools provides versioning control, database management, and disaster recovery functions to provide the highest quality of the 3-D data throughout the process. These tools are also constantly being re-examined and refined to verify that all features are topologically correct and cartographically accurate. Throughout the process, all data is checked against the collection guidance as well as the appropriate standards and specification.

Helping Soldiers Improve Tactics

The SAIC 3-D Urban Feature Data is a high-resolution database primarily used to support threat analysis and tactical planning in an urban environment. This information is also used to exploit existing technologies to produce a 2-D/3-D visualization tool to assist in line-of-sight analysis, mission planning, and situational awareness.