3D Visualization and Analysis of Megaliths in the Torbemoos area near Bremgarten

Student: Adrian Weber

Supervisor: Martin Sauerbier

Project Partner: Stefan Schaufelbühl

The goal of this work is a highly qualitative three-dimensional model of Megaliths in the Torbenmoos area in Bremgarten (AG), which were mapped during extensive field work by Stefan Schaufelbühl, in high resolution and embedded into a Digital Terrain Model (DTM). Additionally, the goal is to provide a model which can be observed on any standard computer using a freely available viewer.

The forest landscape between Bremgarten and Wohlen AG shows a big number of erratic blocks which can be assumed to be deposited there by the Reussgletscher.

Erratic boulders, transported by the ice age Reussgletscher, were first used by scientists such as Louis Agassiz in the early 19th Century, following the hypothesis that glaciers were much more extensive in ancient times.

The available data consists of thematic and topographic data, digital height model DHM25 and overview plan 1:5000 (which exists on four raster erdmannli/Images in tiff format without georeference), which were available thanks to the Kanton Aargau (GIS-Stelle).

3D visualization was done using different software packages, such as ArcGIS (from ESRI), Erdas Imagine (from Leica Geosystems), TerraBuilder and TerraExplorer (from Skyline), VRML and X3D (descriptive languages for 3D vector objects).

 

Construction of the stone figures

The textured 3D model of the Erdmannlistein was reconstructed by Natalia Vassilieva using Photomodeler. The model is not complete since the erdmannli/Images could not cover the whole stone.

 

Figure 1: Window with properties of the 3D-Symbols in ArcScene.

 

 

Figure 2: Symbolization of the stone figures in AutoCAD in wire frame display.

Some visualization erdmannli/Images from different software used

Figure 3: Visualization of the Stone Figures with X3D in Octaga Player.

 

Figure 4: Visualization of the Digital Terrain Model with Erdmannli and other stones in ArcScene.

Figure 5: Visualization of the Terrain Model of the stone figures in Terra Explorer.

 

 

Conclusions:

• Best visualization with X3D.
• Best terrain model point objects with ArcScene.
• Best unit models with Photomodeler.
• Manual processing is essential.