Converting GeoTIFF files to Cesium's Terrain format using GISBox

Converting geographic data into a format that can be used by 3D visualization platforms is a common task in the field of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Cesium is a popular open source JavaScript library for creating 3D and 2D virtual scenes of the earth and maps. GeoTIFF files are widely used to store geospatial data because they contain georeferenced information, but in order to be used with Cesium, this data must be converted to Cesium’s terrain format. This article details the steps to convert GeoTIFF files to Cesium-compatible Terrain format using GISBox software.

Step 1: Create a new tile task

In the GISBox main interface, click the “New” button in the upper right corner to create a new tile creation task. If you select “Terrain” as the task type, the system will guide you to set the tile parameters for the terrain data.

Step 2: Add GeoTIFF files

In the tile task you created, click the + Add File button and browse to select the GeoTIFF file you want to convert. GISBox also supports drag-and-drop operations, which makes it easy to add files.

Step 3: Set the output path

Select a suitable folder and click the folder icon on the right to set the output path. This is where the converted terrain file is saved.

Step 4: Publish Settings

In the Terrain Tile Task Settings, check the “Publish as Service” option. This enables GISBox to automatically generate the corresponding terrain service when the terrain tile task is completed, so that it can be used directly in Cesium.

Step 5: Run the tile task

After all settings are completed, click the “Confirm” button to run the tile task. GISBox starts processing the GeoTIFF file and converts it to a Terrain format compatible with Cesium. This process may take some time, depending on the size and complexity of the file.

Step 6: Check and manage the terrain service

After the tile task is completed, you can view and manage the automatically generated terrain service in the General Terrain section of the GISBox Delivery screen. It is also possible to manually add terrain tile data and generate the corresponding terrain service.

Conclusion

GISBox provides a simple and powerful solution to convert GeoTIFF files to a Terrain format compatible with Cesium. With the above steps, users can easily integrate geospatial data into Cesium and achieve 3D visualization. GISBox’s automated processing and publishing capabilities make it easy to use even without GIS expertise. As the demand for geographic data visualization increases, GISBox will become an important tool for GIS professionals and developers.