The Future of 3D City Modeling: How GISBox Automates Building Generation from Map Data

Source: Dev.to

Introduction

3D city models in the GIS field are evolving toward technological integration, infrastructure development, and deeper applications, becoming an important component of national strategic infrastructure. They play an increasingly significant role in areas such as urban planning and environmental protection. The primary challenge remains how to quickly generate building models. Modeling each building individually is impractical—it would be too tedious given the vast scale of cities and their continuous development, with new buildings constantly emerging. Batch generation of buildings is therefore essential.

Step I: Import Map Data

1. Open GISBox software, create a new scenario, and click “Get from Map.”
2. Move the selection box to choose the urban area on the map where building models need to be generated.
3. Once the selection is complete, click “Import.”

Step II: Building Generation and Style Modification

1. Select the area name in the scenario panel on the right.
2. Click the “Generate Buildings” button at the top‑left and choose the “City” model style.
3. Building models will be automatically generated in the scenario.
4. Click any building to modify its style, or use the “Select All” option to apply a unified style.

Summary

The building auto‑generation feature of GISBox efficiently addresses the challenge of batch‑generating 3D building models. It is user‑friendly and supports both personalized modifications and unified style adjustments. The generated models can be quickly exported in 3DTiles format and published as services, making them directly applicable to GIS engines or digital twin projects. This provides a convenient and practical technical solution for advancing the application of 3D city models in the GIS field.