Three-dimensional urban models and internet access

Technological advances in recent years, especially the ones in information technology, have facilitated acquisition of information in different formats and storage thereof and provision of same thanks to Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Similarly, 3D urban models developed in parallel with three-dimensional (3D) data acquisition, and visualization techniques are the complementary components of GIS which is an integral whole with the increasingly developing science of photogrammetry. 3D urban models, albeit being the latest graphic products obtained, constitute the first step of visualization in terms of GIS.3D models created in a virtual environment are employed in many fields through different disciplines such as medicine, city planning, computer games and virtual tourism. Models referred to as 3D urban models are a part of the urban model. These models that are two (2D) or three (3D) dimensional are used in many fields from university presentation to planning as well as the contribution thereof to university life.In this study, it is aimed to create the 3D model of Yıldız Technical University?s (YTU) Davutpaşa campus and broadcast same via the internet. The study has been carried out through employment of ready maps, plans, aerial photographs, satellite images and photographs taken in the field by orthophotos. The steps followed in the process are as follows: data gathering and editing, transfer of foregoing to GIS environment, creation of digital elevation model (DEM), creation of three dimensional view of buildings through computations incident to floor height thereof, covering the facades of buildings with actual facade photographs thereof, visualization of roads, trees and other objects and broadcasting of the completed 3D model via the internet. CAD-based software such as Microstation and NetCAD were employed in editing and revision of the data provided and the system was built by virtue of interfaces such as ArcGIS software, ArcCatalog, ArcMap and ArcScene while the 3D model was visualized thanks to SketchUp program and broadcasted as a web-based application via the internet Web site created by the websiteX5 evolution software.