Cityengine-3D model export and GIS attribute mounting

After creating a scenario in cityengine, We need to export the created model (in 3DS and OBJ formats ).

You can select two export modes: Use File size limit and create one file per shape.

Use File Size Limit: export the selected model as an OBJ or 3DS file.

Createone file per shape: exports the model according to the shape. A 3DS or OBJ file is generated for the model generated by each shape.

Figure 1Export Method

Next we will discuss the naming of model files when exporting models using the create one file per shape method.

1. When the name field is not Chinese

According to tests, the model naming rules for cityengine model export are regular, that is, the naming rules for model files are name1 + "_" + name2.

Name1 is the name set for export:

Figure 2Export Name

Name2 is the name of the shape:

Figure 3Name of shape

Note that the name of the shape is associated with the Attribute Table of the GIS data, that is, the name field of the Shape Attribute Table = content of the Name field. See figure 3 and figure 4.

Figure 4Name field of the Attribute Table

The exported result is as follows:

Figure 5Model Export result

The above export method is applicable when the value of the Name field is non-Chinese characters.

2. When the name field is Chinese

When the name field is Chinese, the name of the model file exported using the preceding method is as follows:

Figure 6Name is the name in Chinese

Because the system cannot recognize the Chinese name of a shape, the name of the shape is displayed as unnamed. In this case, we need to connect the model file to the attribute file through space connection. The procedure is as follows:

1. Select the model to be exported. The export mode is create one file per shape. After confirmation, the model is exported.

Figure 73D scenarios

Figure 8Model Export settings

Figure 9Model Export result

2. In the toolbox of ArcMAP, select import 3D files. Use this tool to convert the 3DS Model exported in the first step to feature class. The Attribute Table of this feature class contains the model name.

Figure 10Import 3D files Tool

Figure 11Import 3D files tool parameter settings

Figure 12Import 3D files import results

3. Load the original footprint data, as shown in figure

Figure 133D model data and footprint data

4. The generated t3ds data overlaps with the original footprint. If the offset is too large, the t3ds data is translated to make it basically overlap with footprint, then use the feature to Point tool to convert it to point data.

Figure 14Feature to Point tool

Figure 15Feature to Point Results

5. Finally, use the spatial join tool to establish a spatial connection between the attribute of footprint and the attribute of the point data to obtain the correspondence between the model and footprint.

Figure 16Spatial Join Tool

Figure 17Spatial Join final result

NOTE: If GIS data is in a coordinate system not supported by cityengine, The multipatch data obtained after conversion using the import 3D files tool cannot overlap with the source data, therefore, attributes cannot be attached using the spatial join tool.

 

Batch export suggestions:

1. We recommend that you use the first method to export a unique non-Chinese Identifier Field in the GIS Attribute Table.

2. When modeling a custom coordinate system, it is best to convert the custom coordinate system to the coordinate system supported by cityengine. After modeling, convert the coordinate system back.