Terrain Generation

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A spatial model of the surface of the moon generated by terrain analysis software
The need for a terrain generator to create highly accurate and current terrain files is critical when doing geospatial analysis. Terrain models help increase accuracy and can be used to create derivative products such as helicopter landing zones, slope maps, and line of sight analysis. The SOCET GXP® software solution has the ability to automatically generate digital terrain models from stereo imagery. The rigorous nature of SOCET GXP capabilities allows for these advanced algorithms to create precise models that reduce production and editing time and allow for the most accurate and recent 3-D representation of a scene.

The terrain generation algorithms provide the ability to create both surface models as well as bare-earth terrain files as a grid or Triangular Irregular Network (TIN). An intuitive interface provides user friendly options for creating accurate, high resolution terrain models from a wide variety of image scene content. Output formats include, but are not limited to ASCII, DTED, GeoTIFF, NITF, and High Resolution Elevation (HRE).

The SOCET GXP software solution provides three different terrain algorithms:
  • Automatic Terrain Extraction (ATE)
  • Next Generation Automatic Terrain Extraction (NGATE)
  • Automatic Spatial Modeler (ASM)
GIS spatial analysis and modeling of a city area

Automatic Spatial Modeler

ASM is the most recent terrain generation algorithm that utilizes Graphical Processing Units (GPUs) to generate terrain models that contain accurate building edges and corners. This algorithm also has the ability to generate point clouds from stereo images. For detailed information regarding ASM, click here.

Automatic Terrain Extraction

This algorithm generates terrain models by doing image correlation on each post.

Next Generation Automatic Terrain Extraction

This algorithm performs image correlation and edge-matching on each image pixel. NGATE tends to work better than ATE in difficult areas such as large-scale imagery in urban areas.