Illustrative visualization of 3D city models

Abstract

The paper presents an illustrative visualization technique that provides expressive representations of large-scale 3D city models, inspired by the tradition of artistic and cartographic visualizations typically found in bird’s-eye view maps and panoramic maps. First, a collection of city model components is defined. Secondly, a real-time multi-pass rendering algorithm is described that achieves comprehensible, abstract 3D city model depictions based on edge enhancement, color-based and shadow-based depth cues, and procedural facade texturing. The illustrative visualization provides an effective visual interface to urban spatial information and associated thematic information in a way that is complementary to visual interfaces based on the Virtual Reality paradigm, offering a huge potential for graphics design. Primary application areas include city and landscape planning, cartoon worlds in computer games, and tourist information systems.