Load and Import 3D Mesh Layers

In this article:

• About Loading and Importing Mesh Layers
• Mesh Layer Conversion Table

About Loading and Importing Mesh Layers

Mesh layers are multi-resolution, textured mesh models that are created through automatic reconstruction methods, manual modeling, or building information modeling (BIM). Mesh layers can be loaded into TerraExplorer from files or from SkylineGlobe or 3D Tile servers, and displayed on the terrain, as well as measured and analyzed. If a mesh layer is classified, you can also access its attribute data and perform feature layer operations on the layer, including spatial and attribute queries.

TerraExplorer Pro loads a 3D mesh layer as a layer object, which is then displayed in the Project Tree. After loading the layer from file or server, you can set its appearance and parameters in the layer’s property sheet. You can load 3D mesh layers in either of the following formats:

• Skyline’s proprietary, stream-optimized 3DML format - from a file or from SkylineGlobe Server
• OGC 3D Tiles (B3DM) format - from a server or from Cesium ion

Mesh layers can also be added to TerraExplorer by importing Building Information Modeling - BIM (IFC/FBX) layers, Cesium 3D Tiles, DAE (LODTreeExport.xml) and OSGB layers. TerraExplorer automatically converts these layers upon import to the stream optimized, 3DML mesh layer format. This enables them to be streamed with SkylineGlobe Server and merged with classification information so that you can access attribute data and perform feature layer operations on the mesh layer. Selected sections of the 3DML can be imported using clip polygons. 

More about: Loading and importing 3D mesh layers >

Mesh Layer Conversion Table

The table below summarizes the mesh layer conversions supported in TerraExplorer:

Legend:

• GUI - Direct conversion via GUI
• Command Line - Direct conversion (via SLMeshConverter command line tool). More about: Command line tool >
• Indirect – Indirect conversion – first convert to 3DML and from 3DML to the required format