topic Re: Create mesh for terrain from google. in Modeling

Create mesh for terrain from google.

Anonymous — Thu, 25 May 2023 14:53:44 GMT

Is it possible to use google maps to create a mesh for the terrain?

Re: Create mesh for terrain from google.

vistasp — Thu, 11 Oct 2018 15:54:24 GMT

Not since v.11 (if memory serves me right). You can bring in terrain (as an object) from Google Earth.

Re: Create mesh for terrain from google.

Jim Allen — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 16:00:31 GMT

There is a way to do this, but it's a bit fiddly. You need to download and install the Free Open Source Meshlab application as a conduit - http://www.meshlab.net/

You can take your terrain from SketchUp and export it as collada - .dae format.

Open Meshlab and import the collada file. The big drawback with this, is that the terrain when loaded into Meshlab is not real world scale you you need to scale it in Meshlab. There are instructions for this here: https://www.google.com/search?q=meshlab+scale+to+real+measures&oq=meshlab+scale&aqs=chrome.2.69i57j0l4.6471j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Then you can export to an xyz file (use the without normals option), and use Archicad's 'Place Mesh from surveyor's data' option.

This gives you a true scaled SketchUp mesh in Archicad. The next thing you need to do is scale the texture to fit the mesh. The texture is imported, but there is nothing in the xyz file to map it to the mesh, so you need to do it manually.

Unfortunately Archicad will not allow you to scale a mesh in 3 dimensions. You can scale in x and y, but not z, which flattens your terrain. This means that scaling in Meshlab is your only option.

If only Graphisoft would allow us to import 3d terrain from other file formats and create a mesh instead of a morph. Or at least allow us to convert a morph to a mesh...

Here's the result.

Re: Create mesh for terrain from google.

vistasp — Wed, 21 Nov 2018 09:14:52 GMT

I haven't yet had a chance to try this, but someone posted this video and link on a Facebook AC user group. Apparently, this plugin allows you to import a terrain directy as a mesh.

https://bimtech.eu/en/bimtech-tools-for-architects/

Re: Create mesh for terrain from google.

Erwin Edel — Wed, 21 Nov 2018 09:49:51 GMT

As awesome as that looks, I would say it is limited to the Czech cadastre? It refers to 'Český úřad zeměměřický a katastrální' on their website.

Re: Create mesh for terrain from google.

Marky — Wed, 21 Nov 2018 12:28:45 GMT

As awesome as that looks, I would say it is limited to the Czech cadastre? It refers to 'Český úřad zeměměřický a katastrální' on their website.

Even more awesome.

Didn't even bother to go to their website, just installed (AC19) and checked first for a location in Poland and next for the part of Manhattan downtown (Battery Park).
Looks like it connects to the local cadaster automatically.

Re: Create mesh for terrain from google.

Marky — Wed, 21 Nov 2018 12:52:29 GMT

Tried to edit the images placement but it worked only at first, then I'm unable to put in order.
Er well....

Re: Create mesh for terrain from google.

Anonymous — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 20:05:59 GMT

Jim wrote:
There is a way to do this, but it's a bit fiddly. You need to download and install the Free Open Source Meshlab application as a conduit - http://www.meshlab.net/

You can take your terrain from SketchUp and export it as collada - .dae format.

Open Meshlab and import the collada file. The big drawback with this, is that the terrain when loaded into Meshlab is not real world scale you you need to scale it in Meshlab. There are instructions for this here: https://www.google.com/search?q=meshlab+scale+to+real+measures&oq=meshlab+scale&aqs=chrome.2.69i57j0l4.6471j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Then you can export to an xyz file (use the without normals option), and use Archicad's 'Place Mesh from surveyor's data' option.

This gives you a true scaled SketchUp mesh in Archicad. The next thing you need to do is scale the texture to fit the mesh. The texture is imported, but there is nothing in the xyz file to map it to the mesh, so you need to do it manually.

Unfortunately Archicad will not allow you to scale a mesh in 3 dimensions. You can scale in x and y, but not z, which flattens your terrain. This means that scaling in Meshlab is your only option.

If only Graphisoft would allow us to import 3d terrain from other file formats and create a mesh instead of a morph. Or at least allow us to convert a morph to a mesh...

Here's the result.

I followed your procedure but once imported the file the image of the terrain was missed, I can see only the mesh and there is no image imported inside the surfaces archive.

Can you help me?

Re: Create mesh for terrain from google.

Jim Allen — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 16:45:20 GMT

Sorry Celeste, notifications weren't sending me e-mails, so I didn't see this until now, which is obviously far too late!

If the texture is in the Meshlab file, it should import fine. You'll probably need to change the bitmap scale manually in Archicad though.

You can manually load the texture file anyway, using the Creative imaging tools to position the origin and rotation of the texture. You'll still have to scale the image in the surface editor.

It is a pain, and actually morphs are easier to mange. The Mesh terrain features are actually broken. The Import mesh from surveyors data is not fit for purpose.

It's better to take a proper weighted triangulated 3d model from another modeller, apply the texture, and import as a morph. The texture comes through properly then.

You can't use the nice mesh editing tools, but you get a much, much more accurate terrain.

What we actually need is a tool which converts a morph to a mesh. That's actually all we need. There are enough tools out there which allow us to get triangulated terrain models without having to build it in Archicad. In fact building terrain in archicad for large sites makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.

I was chatting to Graphisoft Tech people at the AIA convention a couple of years ago, and apparently a much improved mesh tool is coming.

I don't know how much you have worked with meshes, but it's absolutely infuriating.

You move a node and the triangulation recomputes apparently randomly! It's not like a SketchUp mesh or a morph where you can freely move and snap nodes controlling their position in any of the axes.

Where I work, in Wales in the UK we almost never get flat sites, and understanding the topography in 3D is really important. Unfortunately this means I have spent many hours trying to make the mesh tool work effectively, and almost always failing in some measure.

Re: Create mesh for terrain from google.

Barry Kelly — Fri, 03 Apr 2020 00:56:45 GMT

Jim wrote:
Sorry Celeste, notifications weren't sending me e-mails, so I didn't see this until now, which is obviously far too late!

This may help with the e-mail notifications.
If you remember to come back here and have a look!

https://archicad-talk.graphisoft.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=68961&start=10#p306505

Barry.

Re: Create mesh for terrain from google.

Jim Allen — Fri, 03 Apr 2020 14:53:44 GMT

Thanks Barry - subscribed!

Re: Create mesh for terrain from google.

Emre Senoglu — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 21:45:42 GMT

Just tried the BIM Tech add-on.. Apart from the connection errors I've been getting, I think 180x180m is way too small to be useful, both in city context and rural. I've used Terrain.party for a long time however it stopped working a while ago. I've been playing with a Blender Add-on, however haven't quite managed to make the data useful in any way (in AC or 3ds Max).. So if someone has a pipeline for gathering topography / map data, it would be so very much appreciated 

Re: Create mesh for terrain from google.

Stress Co_ — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 04:39:15 GMT

I saw in a recent webinar, where they added
site terrain into a Twinmotion model via Sketchup's
geo-location and "Oob terrain plugin".
I haven't tried it, but assume you can drop it into ArchiCAD as well.
Looked interesting.

Re: Create mesh for terrain from google.

Emre Senoglu — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 09:50:44 GMT

Thanks Marc, it looks promising. Will give it a try. 