A new 3D Internet-based approach for the integration of GIS and digital photogrammetric systems

The demand for efficient display and analysis of 3D spatial data in geo-spatial information systems (GISs) has been growing rapidly, and products of digital photogrammetric systems (DPS) are among the main sources of spatial data for GIS. Therefore, the integration of DPS and GIS offers new possibilities for users. In this study, a number of innovative methods for the integration of GIS and DPS are proposed and compared. These methods are: (1) the ‘external interface system’ where the output of a DPS is connected to the input of a GIS, (2) the ‘joint interface system’, where the two systems connect together using functions of the two systems, and (3) the ‘integrated system’ that contains the two systems. Based on the integrated system proposed, an Internet-based integration approach, consisting of DPS, GIS and CAD systems, has been designed and implemented. The efficient parameters in the designed system are: (1) new demands (3D modeling, 3D visualization and 3D analysis), (2) data updating (by geo-referenced images), (3) Internet for accessing and transforming data and (4) covering a range of DPS products (3D vectors data, digital terrain modeling, orthophotos and close range data). Internet programming languages, the importance of Internet in transforming and accessing data and 3D visualization in the integration of GIS and digital photogrammetry are discussed. The acquisition of 3D vector data by digital photogrammetric method, the new integration method and the use of CAD systems are elaborated in this paper. In addition, applications of aerial and close-range images in raster GISs using the developed method are presented.