4:30 PM - 4:45 PM
[HDS08-10] Methods for Upgrading Data Utilization by Creating 3D Models from iRIC Calculation Data through The Linkage of iRIC and Blender
Keywords:iRIC, Blender, Visualization, Flood Calculation, 3D Modeling
Background:
iRIC software is a free numerical simulation platform that supports a wide variety of computational solvers for problems in water science and engineering. iRIC software can simulate inundation calculations from all over the world by using different solvers such as Nays2DH and Nays2DFlood. The results of these calculations can be displayed in iRIC, and the results can be overlaid with Google Maps, satellite images, etc. iRIC supports the output of images to Google Earth via KML file. However, it is not able to generate vectorized 3D models and output to file formats such as FBX and STL for CAD. On the other hand, 3D models are now widely used in virtual spaces, 3D printers, etc., and further use is expected in the future also in the civil engineering fields. However, while there are many paid 3D modeling software, iRIC is a free and open software, and therefore, the most cost-effective method is expected when linking with iRIC. Therefore, it is important to create 3D from iRIC in a way that is easy and accessible to everyone.
Objective:
In response to the trend of promoting the use of 3D models, by developing an add-on that converts iRIC data such as maps, topography, buildings, vegetation, and inundation calculation results into vectorized 3D models, we studied visualization methods that allow 3D overlay and use of data in iRIC to more realistically imagine flow conditions and inundation situations.
Methodology:
This time we focused on Blender, an integrated environment application for creating 3DCG animations, which is available as free open source freeware. Although free, it is capable of performing a full range of functions, including modeling, animation, and rendering.
The topographic data, inundation calculation results, vegetation, and other data in iRIC were imported into Blender to automatically generate a 3D model. A method for visualizing and overlaying the data was investigated. The topographic data in iRIC and the results of the time-stepped calculation data were output in CSV format, and 3D mesh was created in Blender. To create the mesh, we used Blender's Python API , called BPY module, to convert the iRIC calculation results into 3D mesh data in Blender. These were converted according to the input rules. Tile images corresponding to the topographic data were downloaded from Google Maps and other sources, and the process of overlaying them on the 3D topographic model was also automated.
The vegetation data set in Nays2DH was also modified to reflect the height and density of the vegetation and to display the vegetation data in three dimensions. For building data, we made it possible to utilize building data from OSM Buildings, which provides 3D building data from around the world in JSON format, and converting them into 3D models in Blender.
The GUI interface is designed so that each conversion can be executed and configured from the Blender toolbar. In addition, a set of visualization libraries were made available as add-on called iRIC2Blender.
Result:
With this add-on, the iRIC data is converted into a 3D model in Blender, which can be visualized by Blender's powerful rendering engine, output to general-purpose 3D model files such as STL and FBX, and output to 360-degree videos. It is now possible to consider realistic water expressions and settings by defining detailed material settings such as reflections and water transparency. The add-on also allows for intuitive visual representation of vegetation density and height. In addition, these models can now be created free of charge using open source data and software, including topographic data.
The add-on is currently being tested, but is intended to be used as an open source add-on under the GPL license. It is expected that this add-on will be used to visualize the information generated by iRIC to more realistically imagine the risk of flooding, both nationally and internationally.
iRIC software is a free numerical simulation platform that supports a wide variety of computational solvers for problems in water science and engineering. iRIC software can simulate inundation calculations from all over the world by using different solvers such as Nays2DH and Nays2DFlood. The results of these calculations can be displayed in iRIC, and the results can be overlaid with Google Maps, satellite images, etc. iRIC supports the output of images to Google Earth via KML file. However, it is not able to generate vectorized 3D models and output to file formats such as FBX and STL for CAD. On the other hand, 3D models are now widely used in virtual spaces, 3D printers, etc., and further use is expected in the future also in the civil engineering fields. However, while there are many paid 3D modeling software, iRIC is a free and open software, and therefore, the most cost-effective method is expected when linking with iRIC. Therefore, it is important to create 3D from iRIC in a way that is easy and accessible to everyone.
Objective:
In response to the trend of promoting the use of 3D models, by developing an add-on that converts iRIC data such as maps, topography, buildings, vegetation, and inundation calculation results into vectorized 3D models, we studied visualization methods that allow 3D overlay and use of data in iRIC to more realistically imagine flow conditions and inundation situations.
Methodology:
This time we focused on Blender, an integrated environment application for creating 3DCG animations, which is available as free open source freeware. Although free, it is capable of performing a full range of functions, including modeling, animation, and rendering.
The topographic data, inundation calculation results, vegetation, and other data in iRIC were imported into Blender to automatically generate a 3D model. A method for visualizing and overlaying the data was investigated. The topographic data in iRIC and the results of the time-stepped calculation data were output in CSV format, and 3D mesh was created in Blender. To create the mesh, we used Blender's Python API , called BPY module, to convert the iRIC calculation results into 3D mesh data in Blender. These were converted according to the input rules. Tile images corresponding to the topographic data were downloaded from Google Maps and other sources, and the process of overlaying them on the 3D topographic model was also automated.
The vegetation data set in Nays2DH was also modified to reflect the height and density of the vegetation and to display the vegetation data in three dimensions. For building data, we made it possible to utilize building data from OSM Buildings, which provides 3D building data from around the world in JSON format, and converting them into 3D models in Blender.
The GUI interface is designed so that each conversion can be executed and configured from the Blender toolbar. In addition, a set of visualization libraries were made available as add-on called iRIC2Blender.
Result:
With this add-on, the iRIC data is converted into a 3D model in Blender, which can be visualized by Blender's powerful rendering engine, output to general-purpose 3D model files such as STL and FBX, and output to 360-degree videos. It is now possible to consider realistic water expressions and settings by defining detailed material settings such as reflections and water transparency. The add-on also allows for intuitive visual representation of vegetation density and height. In addition, these models can now be created free of charge using open source data and software, including topographic data.
The add-on is currently being tested, but is intended to be used as an open source add-on under the GPL license. It is expected that this add-on will be used to visualize the information generated by iRIC to more realistically imagine the risk of flooding, both nationally and internationally.