TerraTools is a complete simulation
database construction system for automated and rapid generation
of high-fidelity 3D simulation databases from cartographic
source materials. TerraTools provides the most comprehensive
set of integrated terrain generation tools and features available,
including heterogeneous data import, rapid and incremental
database construction, realistic and accurate geometry, detailed
feature attribution, paging support, high levels of automation,
and detailed diagnostics in an easy-to-use and flexible stand-alone
package.
TerraTools is an advanced multi-threaded application. It supports
two independent processing threads per workstation processor,
providing significant speedups at no additional cost using a
single TerraTools license. Workstations with dual processors or dual-core architectures are
automatically recognized by the TerraTools front end and each
TerraTools project graph is scheduled to maximize parallel
execution.
3D geospatial visualization spans a broad continuum of customer applications. Ranging from
aerial and satellite imagery warped to a 3D terrain grid, to photo-realistic 3D models of urban
environments, the variety of civil, defense, and entertainment applications of 3D geospatial
visualizations is almost unlimited. TerraSim's products automate the production of 3D geospatial
visualization, minimizing the need for manual modeling and instead relying on the use of cartographic
vector data, digital elevation models, and geo-rectified imagery.
Core processing includes ingest of ESRI shapefile data, USGS DLG data, digital elevation models
(DEMs), and 3D models from AutoCAD, 3DStudioMAX, and OpenFlight. Advanced database construction tools
include processing of cartographic features into the TerraSim ITIN representation as well as "just
enough GIS" to support feature correction, merging, buffering, and attribution processing.
TerraTools Core supports the export of 3D visual databases to a variety of formats for customer
delivery including Google Earth, VRML, 3DStudioMAX, and TerraSim's native Tiled Scene Graph (TSG), with
demand paged runtime.
TerraTools Core provides all of the standard geospatial data processing capabilities necessary to create
high fidelity geospatial visualizations. Some of the most significant Core capabilities include:
Generation of Integrated Triangulated Irregular Networks (ITINs) with automatic feature
integration, including transportation networks, drainage networks, areal drainage (lakes, swamps,
marsh areas), soil and surface material layers, and foliage layers. ITINs guarantee trafficabilty
of transportation networks and realistic appearance of natural and manmade materials and objects.
User-defined database paging sizes and control of terrain density and complexity using dynamic
terrain accuracy metrics enforced during ITIN generation.
Generation of an underwater surface from bathymetric source data and its integration with
terrain
elevation data using a coastline vector to ensure a continuous and complete surface description.
Generation of buildings and other 3D structures from 2D areal footprints, to include a variety
of roof shapes and user-defined texture appearances.
Generation of buildings with detailed interiors from manual, semi-automatic, and fully
automated "blueprint" representations. This includes complex roof shapes, windows, doors, all
specified as components of the TerraTools blueprint attribution.
Automatic generation of underground structures such as pipelines, utility lines, and tunnels
based upon source data vectors and attribution.
Parametric bridge generation with user-defined bridge cross sections and selection of bridge
support geometry to create a variety of bridge models tailored to the landscape and functional
requirements.
Parametric model scatter and automated model alignment to support creation of forests with
variable tree models and urban street signs and lights appropriately oriented to roads and
buildings.
TerraTools Core contains over 500 unique 3D models and over 1300 textures to support a variety
of geospatial database generation tasks. The TerraTools
Sample Model Library illustrates the variety and quality of models available to users.
Multi-threading enabling parallel processing to support up to eight independent processing
threads on a single TerraTools Core license. Supports rapid database construction, iterative
refinement, and design without requiring specialized hardware.
TerraTools has been tested with a variety of OpenGL-compliant graphics cards and systems. The following list includes current
and legacy video cards. In general, graphics cards should have a minimum of 128MB of texture memory with 256 or 512MB providing
better performance on visualizations with large amounts of phototexture. It is also important to verify that your workstation
has the latest manufacturer's OpenGL drivers. Workstations sometimes are shipped with drivers that are more than 6 months old.
How to determine the type of video card you have on your Windows machine:
Right-click on your desktop and select Properties.
Select the Settings tab and click on the Advanced button in the lower right area of the dialog.
Select the Adapter tab for Windows 2000 and XP. The make and model of the installed video card should be displayed under the Adapter Type heading.
Once you have determined the type of video card you have, check the list of supported cards (above) to see if your card has been tested to successfully run TerraTools.
