Approach to generate 3D‐printed terrain models using free software and open data sources: Application to military planning

Abstract

The students of the Defense University Center at the Spanish Naval Academy (Marín, northwest of Spain) attend both the military studies and mechanical engineering degrees. These students are the future officers of the Spanish Navy. Among them, the Marine Corp students attend subjects focused on topography, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and an amphibious landing. In this framework, this paper presents an example of an application of the use of physical models for a better understanding of the terrain, as well as for landscape design or military planning. Through the use of different GIS and Computer‐Aided Design software, the students have to demonstrate their capabilities to create and produce three‐dimensional (3D) printed models. This work shows how the use of printed scale models of the terrain offers visualization advantages and more understanding to students when compared with virtual models or traditional maps. Additionally, a methodological approach is presented aiming to produce 3D‐printed models using open data sources and free license software. From a point cloud of data, this software allowed creating and editing the virtual model (scales, vertical exaggeration, smooth, etc.), as well as to merge different point clouds. The methodology was applied to the Island of Tambo (Galicia, Spain). Using Light Detection and Ranging data, several printed scale models were elaborated on, including the Digital Terrain Model and Digital Elevation Model. Additionally, a bathymetric model was created, aiming to assist in the design of an amphibious operation.

Knowledge mapping of 4D printing technologies in computer engineering

“…United Kingdom (67), Singapore (66), India (50), Australia (44), and South Korea (44) have TLS of 54, 56, 12, 38, and 18, respectively. It is also noticed that countries with the maximum relationship frequencies according to the frequency of links are the United States (21), Italy (19), the United Kingdom (17), and China (16). Thus, analysis specifies that these countries with maximum links are the central hub for the 4D printing collaborative research.…”

“…The management of smart disasters through the assistance of ICT concluded that the disaster management‐related research areas have gained importance with time and are adapting to the current ICT technologies [18]. A methodological approach for producing 3D printing models using open data sources and free license software focuses on the application in military planning [19]. The use of 3D‐printed models in conventional teaching accompanying two‐dimensional maps in education aimed to provide the issues experienced in the topographical survey education, which is reduced by using 3D‐printed models [20].…”

Depth estimation method of surface of micropart in microassembly space based on microscopic vision tomographic scanning images

“…The quantitative index of registration error includes the total number of registration points, mean distance error and RMSE. In this section, the ICP registrations of 3D point clouds of depth maps and those of the corresponding CAD models are carried out by using CloudCompare 29,30 . The registration results of the cone cavity and end jaw of microgripper are shown in Figures 23 and 24, respectively, and the quantitative indexes of registration error are shown in Table 2.…”

Pre‐dam valley reconstruction based on archival spatial data sources: Methods, accuracy, and 3D printing possibilities

“…The created Vltava River valley 3D model will be used for several purposes, with the main aim of presenting the vanished cultural heritage (Brůna et al., 2014; Pacina & Cajthaml, 2014). Terrain models printed in 3D have gained popularity in recent years as they offer a different way of presenting the spatial features of subject areas (Hasiuk & Harding, 2016; Solla, Casqueiro, & Cuvillo, 2020). Several methods for creating mass 3D models and texture applications have been tested to produce large‐scale 3D models of selected areas, such as 3D printing and computer numerical control (CNC) milling (Cureton, 2017).…”