TerraModeler
Introduction
TerraModeler is a terrain modeling application built on top of a CAD platform. It enables the creation of triangulated models of ground, soil layers or design surfaces. The models can be created based on survey data, graphical elements, XYZ text files, point cloud data loaded in TerraScan or stored in LAS or TerraScan binary formats.
Theoretically, TerraModeler can handle an unlimited number of different surfaces in the same CAD file. In practice, however, the number and size of loaded models as well as the performance of TerraModeler and the CAD platform depend on the RAM of the computer.
You can edit any of the surface models interactively. Editing options include add, move or delete individual points; move, drop, or flatten all the points inside a fence; construct breaklines and add new elements to the models.
Surface models can be used, for example, as a design aid. You can place elements on the elevation of the surface model or drop existing elements to follow the surface.
Profile generation in TerraModeler includes separate tools for drawing 3D section views, profiles and alignment cross sections or tunnel sections. Additionally, 3D elements can be projected into a profile and elements drawn in a profile can be projected back to their true 3D positions.
Surface model visualization can be done by generating contours, drawing colored triangles, shaded surfaces, colored grid displays, slope arrows and numerical representations of elevation points. All of these visualization displays can be updated after you have made modifications to a surface model.
Tools for quantity computation can be utilized to calculate and report the volume between two surfaces and/or based on tunnel or trench sections. The area of computation can be limited to take place only inside a fence.
While many tools in TerraModeler are suited for traditional survey data types, TerraModeler can also work with point cloud data because it is tightly integrated with TerraScan. Point clouds loaded in TerraScan can be used to create a surface model in TerraModeler. This is especially useful for ground classification verification because the surface model is updated automatically according to point class changes as long as the surface model is linked with the point cloud. In addition, the point cloud can be used directly for quantity computations.
The full version of TerraModeler includes tools for producing lattice models, triangles, and contour lines in batch processes for large project areas. The processes can produce the output files based on point clouds organized in a TerraScan project. Additionally, breaklines can be included in the contour line/lattice model/triangle creation.
TerraModeler Lite
TerraModeler Lite is a light version of TerraModeler and provides a subset of the functionality of the full version. It can be used create and manually edit surface models from design data, to display models, to compute simple quantities and to create profiles.
TerraModeler Lite does not include advanced quantity computation tools, domain or region tools and it provides only a limited selection of display methods for surface models.
The Function matrix provides a complete overview of tools and commands available in the different TerraModeler versions.
TerraModeler UAV
TerraModeler UAV is another lighter version of TerraModeler dedicated for processing data that is collected by UAV-mounted devices.
TerraModeler UAV does not include domain or region tools. It is available only in a bundle with other Terra UAV applications, such as TerraScan UAV, TerraMatch UAV and/or TerraPhoto UAV.
The Function matrix provides a complete overview of tools and commands available in the different TerraScan versions.
