3D Cartography and 3D Modeling are techniques used to represent the relief and geographic elements of an area in three dimensions. These technologies allow the creation of detailed maps and digital terrain models (DTMs), facilitating analyses in engineering, environmental, urban planning and digital games.

What is 3D Cartography?

3D cartography is the evolution of traditional cartography, using computational techniques to create three-dimensional representations of geographic space. These maps show relief, buildings and other elements in depth, facilitating the interpretation of the terrain.

Main Features of 3D Cartography

Three-dimensional representation of relief and infrastructure.
Use of color and shading to indicate variations in altitude.
Allows viewing of terrain from different angles.
Integration with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for detailed analysis.

Applications: Urban planning, terrain modeling for simulation, games and animations.

What is 3D Modeling?

3D modeling is the process of creating three-dimensional digital representations of objects, terrains or environments. In the context of cartography, this involves the creation of Digital Terrain Models (DTMs) or Digital Elevation Models (DEMs).

Types of 3D Models in Cartography

Digital Elevation Model (DEM) – Represents the surface of the terrain, including buildings and vegetation.
Digital Terrain Model (DTM) – Represents only the relief, without considering vegetation and buildings.
Digital Surface Model (DSM) – Includes everything on the terrain, such as buildings and trees.

Applications: Civil engineering, geology, agricultural planning, animation and virtual reality. 3D Cartography and 3D Modeling transform the way we represent geographic space, making maps more realistic and useful.