Exploring Cesium terrain editing: Five essential tools

1. Cesium ion

Cesium ion is an online service officially provided by Cesium, designed for uploading, processing and visualizing terrain data.

Features:

3D terrain upload and optimization: quickly import terrain data and convert it into an efficient format.

Online visualization: view and edit terrain in real time in the browser.

Pros:

Easy to use, directly integrated with CesiumJS.

Free and premium packages are available.

2. GISBox

GISBox is an integrated GIS platform that supports the editing and processing of various geographic data, including the combination with Cesium terrain.

Features:

Multiple data type support: can process various types of GIS data such as imagery, terrain, oblique photography, etc.

Automated slicing and distribution: users can import local GIS files for slicing and automatically generate standardized data.

Strong compatibility: the generated JSON files can be distributed and used in visualization applications such as Shanhaijing.

Pros:

Simple and easy to use, user-friendly interface.

High processing efficiency, support for large data volumes.

3. QGIS

QGIS is a powerful open source GIS software that supports plug-in extensions for integration with Cesium for terrain editing.

Features:

Rich terrain analysis tools: such as elevation data processing and 3D visualization.

Cesium plug-in support: export and view terrain data online.

Pros:

Completely free, with strong community support.

Powerful spatial analysis capabilities.

4. FME by Safe Software

FME focuses on data conversion and integration, supporting complex terrain data workflows.

Features:

Automated workflow: batch conversion and export of terrain data to Cesium format.

Compatibility: Can integrate multiple GIS data formats.

Pros:

Highly specialized, suitable for processing complex data sets.

5. SketchUp with Cesium Integration

SketchUp is a popular 3D modeling software that supports use with Cesium.

Features:

Terrain modeling: edit and adjust 3D terrain models through SketchUp tools.

Export function: Use plugins to export models to Cesium compatible formats.

Pros:

Easy to learn, suitable for rapid modeling.

Rich plugin support and strong extensibility.

Conclusion

Choosing the right Cesium terrain editing tool depends on project requirements and budget. For fast and seamless integration, Cesium ion is the first choice; when complex GIS analysis is required, QGIS is an ideal choice. If the budget is limited and flexibility is sought, SketchUp is also a solution worth considering. GISBox provides users with a versatile and efficient solution. According to your specific needs, choose the most suitable tool to optimize your Cesium terrain project.