Contour-based terrain model reconstruction using distance information

Abstract

In order to create three-dimensional terrain models, we reconstruct geometric models from contour lines on two-dimensional map. Previous methods divide a set of contour lines into simple matching regions and clefts. Since long processing time is taken for reconstructing clefts, performance might be degraded while manipulating complicated models. We propose a fast reconstruction method, which generates triangle strips by computing distance of corresponding vertex pairs in adjacent slices for simple matching region. If there are some branches or dissimilarities, it computes midpoints of corresponding vertices and reconstructs geometry of those areas by tiling the midpoints and remaining vertices. Experimental results show that our method reconstructs geometric models fairly well and it is faster than the previous method. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2005.