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WCH 3D Information
acquisition and management in Graz
G. Ablasser, X. Xu
Magistrat Graz
Europaplatz 20, 8020 Graz, Austria
Abstract
In City of Graz efforts are made to document the WCH geometrically with high accuracy and
up-to-date technology. One pilot-project for Eggenberg palace is carrying out with aims to: a)
most efficient and economical methods are to be tested; b) scaling and extensibility of the methods
may be checked so they can be applied for historical center of Graz another WCH in the city
which announced in 1999 (1).
Database based vector, raster and WCH historical information should be presented online
interactively. The data management is carried out with normal internet browser. The technical
aspects of this project might be following: i) high accuracy raster and vector data acquisition and
WCH historical information combined management in spatial database; ii) 3D internet
presentation and database management with browser interface.
1. DATA AQUIRMENT
For geometric documentation of World Cultural heritage it requires the maximum data quality.
So we use strategy of data combination. The roof and any upper areas are scanned or digitized
with flights of UAV. The vertical area might be combined with laser scanning or UAV images, it
depends on the local situation.
A. UAV FLIGHTS
The most efficient recording methods of roof landscape nowadays might be the UAV image
flight. It is not only flexible but also meets the accuracy requirements of cultural heritage
documentation. Octocopter with Canon EOS III (objective: 17mm 140mm) can be operated by
pilot and cameraman as one team. The Octocopter reaches the height of 200m and horizontal
distance within 2km. The camera itself is hosted with moving stabilizing gimbal.
Several keywords may be described the
Post-processing procedures:
image automatic clustering means of similarity;
image orientation with sparse feature matching
and estimating on 5-point fundamental matrix;
robust bundle adjustment on all image;
DSM reconstruction with plane-sweep multi-view;
DSM fusion with global optimizing procedure.
Figure 1

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The digital surface model can be calculated by post-processing procedure with accuracy of
1cm and the resolution up to 1cm in both planimetrical and depth directions.

Figure 2

B. GROUND LASERSCANNING
Faade and sculpture on the ground may be acquired by UAV flights or by terrestrial laser
scanning. Test with Leica Scan P20 and Leica Multistation MS50 system was carried out this year.
The combination of UAV flights with laser scanning might be a must for a complete
documentation. In cave or detailed sculpture laser scanning has its unbeatable advantage as it in
figure 3 shows.

Figure 3
Figure 4 shows screen Snape of the test video http://geodaten1.graz.at/DL/3D/videoplay.html

Figure 4

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C. AREIALPHOTOGRAMMETRIC MEASUREMENTS
Due to their accuracy and actuality aerial photogrammetric measurements and aerial
orthophotos are used as background and environmental information.

Figure 5

2. DATABASE MANAGEMENT
We apply ArcGIS server technology based on Oracle database managements system. ArcGIS
server managed layers which produced with ArcScene, Arctools and Python scripts by inter
developments. Internet Server could be the same oracle DBMS or its mirror reflects which hosts
the application.

3. INTERNET PRESENTATION
Parts of Graz city model can be viewed by http://3d.graz.at From ArcGIS version 10.2, the
CityEngine Viewer is free to present the 3d model in internet. The advantages of the viewer are: a)
there is no need to install plugin by client; b) it is free; c) the application is straightforward, the
native file is exported from ArcScene. This feature make it possible to shape the model by layers;
d) default analyzing methods (shadow) and e) layers switching. Figure 6 and 7 show examples.

Figure 6

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Figure 7
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The pilot project is organized and coordinated by the City of Graz, Department for Spatial
Planning and the Executive Directorate for Urban Planning, Development and Construction
European Programs and International Cooperation Unit and financed with the support of the
European Union (EU Heritage tour Project).
REFERENCES
[1]

http://www.graz.at/cms/beitrag/10035867/623201

CONTACTS
DI. G. Ablasser, Magistrat Graz, Europaplatz 20, 8020 Graz, Tel.:+43.316.872-3580 Email: gehardt.ablasser@stadt.graz.at
Dr. X. Xu, Magistrat Graz, Europaplatz 20, 8020 Graz, Tel.:+43.316.872-4140 Email: xu@stadt.graz.at

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