Smooth draping layer for rendering vector data on complex three dimensional objects

• Main Authors: Overbeck, Ryan Styles, Kontkanen, Janne
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 15.01.2019
• Subjects: CALCULATING; COMPUTING; COUNTING; IMAGE DATA PROCESSING OR GENERATION, IN GENERAL; PHYSICS

Systems and methods for rendering vector data in conjunction with a three-dimensional model are provided. In particular, a smooth transparent draping layer can be generated and rendered overlaying the three-dimensional model. The vector data can be texture mapped to the smooth transparent draping layer such that the vector data appears to be located along a surface in the three-dimensional model. The three-dimensional model can be a model of a geographic area and can include terrain geometry that models the terrain of the geographic area and building geometry that models buildings, bridges, and other objects in the geographic area. The smooth transparent draping layer can conform to the surfaces defined by the terrain geometry. The vector data can be texture mapped to the smooth transparent draping layer such that the vector data appears to be located along the surface of the terrain geometry but can be occluded by the building geometry.