I. Overview
In the fields of 3D GIS and digital twin technology, the 3DTiles format has become one of the industry standard data formats due to its superior performance. Proposed by the Cesium team, this format is specifically optimized for large-scale 3D scene visualization, enabling rapid loading and smooth presentation of massive amounts of model data. Meanwhile, the PLY format, as a widely used 3D model storage format, is mainly used for storing point cloud data or polygon meshes. To meet the needs of cutting-edge fields such as digital twins and smart cities for 3D data, efficient conversion of PLY format to 3DTiles format is a crucial step. This article will analyze in detail how to achieve this format conversion process using GISBox software.
II. What is the PLY Format?
PLY (Polygon File Format) is a 3D model file format developed by Stanford University, primarily used for storing point cloud or polygon mesh data. It uses a simple text or binary structure, supports attributes such as vertex coordinates, color, and normals, and is commonly used in 3D scanning and computer graphics. Due to its clear structure and strong compatibility, this format has become one of the standard 3D data exchange formats widely used in academia and industry.
III. GISBox - A GIS Platform Designed for WebGIS Developers
GISBox is a one-stop, lightweight GIS platform with three core functions: scene editing, tile conversion, and service distribution.
Scene Editing: Enables real-time editing of oblique photogrammetry surface repair, riverbed underlayment, terrain alignment, and one-click generation of urban building models.
Tile Conversion: Supports conversion of OSGB/RVT/OBJ/PLY to 3DTiles, and DWG/GeoTIF to tile maps. It also supports conversion of 3DTiles back to OSGB.
Service Distribution: GISBox features a powerful and free built-in GIS server. After tile conversion, it can be automatically published as 3DTiles/Terrain/WMTS/WFS/MVT services. The generated service addresses can be directly used in the Cesium platform or digital twin projects, such as the Mountain & Sea Whale visualization.
IV. GISBox Conversion Process
1.Open the downloaded "GISBox" software. In "Tile Conversion," select "Gaussian Splatting Tiling" to start a new conversion task.
2.Click "Add File" to add your local PLY format file, then select a suitable export path.
3."Reference Space" and "Zero Coordinates" will be automatically generated based on the imported PLY file.
4.Here, we check "Publish as a Service Simultaneously." The service will be added to the "3DTiles" service list.
5.We can see that the generated service type is "3DTiles." Click the "Cesium" preview frame to preview it directly in your browser.
6.The generated service address can be directly copied and used on platforms such as Cesium and in digital twin projects.
V. Summary
This article demonstrates how to efficiently convert PLY to 3DTiles format using GISBox software. Its intuitive operation and powerful service distribution capabilities facilitate the application of 3D data in WebGIS and digital twin projects. Mastering this conversion technology will help developers build high-quality 3D scenes more quickly, promoting technological innovation and practical applications in related fields.
Top comments (0)