The term “3D model” is an overarching term covering everything from simple extruded map polygons models all the way to custom-made millimeter-accuracy 3D scans. The 3D models vary greatly in terms of their accuracy, level of detail, recency and usability, as well as in terms of their costs, delivery time and its file format. To make a direct comparison, the “Overview of 3D City Models for Architects” video offers an overlay of the same area of London represented in 5 different types of 3D city models. Extruded Buildings footprint Polygons 3D map. This is easy to obtain and possibly the simplest form of a 3D city model. It’s excellent for background models and wide-area city visualisations on a budget. Airborne Lidar model. A much more accurate and detailed model, however, it’s quite a messy and unseparated Digital Surface model dataset. Aerial photogrammetry. Made with clean geometry with a high level of detail, up to 15 cm accurate. This does come at a cost. Textured photogrammetry model. Textures applied onto clean geometry, an accurate city model with high visual fidelity. Might be cost-prohibitive and currently only available for London. Non-GIS Game-ready model. Not made for architecture or urban planning but very affordable with a surprising level of detail on landmark buildings. Part of RIBA CPD material: Video: 3D City Models Overview (28:08) https://www.ribacpd.com/accucities/230545/3d-city-models-overview/411006/movie More info: https://www.accucities.com/cpd

1. 3D City Models Overview

2. Photogrammetry
city model
+ Controlled accuracy
+ Good Level of detail
+ Up-to-date
+ Separated Features
- Cost
- Higher polycount
Photogrammetry
Textured model
+ Accurate geometry
+ High visual fidelity
+ 8k Textures
- High cost
- Large file size
- Central London only
Airborne
Lidar model
+ Good Accuracy
+ Good Detail
+ Inexpensive
- Unseparated model
- High polycount
- Messy geometry
Game-ready
Non-GIS model
+ Recognisable city
+ Hi-quality landmarks
+ Inexpensive
- Patchy dataset
- No OS map overlay
- Limited use
Extruded Polygons
city map
+ 3D map
+ Inexpensive
+ Available
- Very low detail
- Database errors
- Visibly inaccurate
3D City Models Overview

3. Urban Planning
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3D City models
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Fast 1 day delivery
Growing every year
Managed datasets
Photogrammetry
city models
15cm accuracy
High Level of detail
Up-to-date
Easy to use
Photogrammetry
Textured models
Innovative Dataset
Accurate geometry
High visual fidelity
8k Textures
About AccuCities®
3D city models
3D City Models Overview

4. Extruded Polygons 3D map
3D City Models Overview

5. Airborne
Lidar model
+ Good Accuracy
+ Good Detail
+ Inexpensive
- Unseparated model
- High polycount
- Messy geometry
Photogrammetry
city model
+ Better Accuracy
+ Better Detail
+ Separated Features
- Cost
- Higher polycount
Photogrammetry
Textured model
+ Accurate geometry
+ Higher visual fidelity
+ Separated Features
+ Textures
- Cost
- Higher polycount
Game-ready
Non-GIS model
+ High quality model
+ Separated Features
+ Affordable
- No map overlay
- Higher polycount
Extruded Polygons 3D map
3D City Models Overview

6. Extruded Polygons 3D map
3D City Models Overview
Airborne
Lidar model
+ Accurate Height
+ Accurate angles
- Unseparated features
- High polycount
- Messy (News Bldg.)
Photogrammetry
city model
+ Better Accuracy
+ Better Detail
+ Separated Features
- Cost
- Higher polycount
Photogrammetry
Textured model
+ Accurate geometry
+ Textures
+ Separated Features
- High Cost
- Higher 3D model size
Game-ready
Non-GIS model
+ Better Detail
+ Separated Features
- Cost
- No map overlay
- Visibly Inaccurate

7. Extruded Polygons 3D map
3D City Models Overview Airborne Lidar 3D model

8. Extruded Polygons
City map
+ Separated features
+ Overlaps with OS map
- Little detail
- Little accuracy
- Messy terrain geometry
Photogrammetry city
model
+ Accurate & Detailed
+ Separated Features
+ Trees layer
+ No residual geometry
- Cost
Airborne
Lidar model
+ Accurate Height
+ Overlaps with OS map
- Unseparated features
- High polycount
- Messy geometry
Airborne Lidar 3D model
3D City Models Overview

9. Photogrammetry
Textured model
+ Accurate geometry
+ Textures
+ Separated Features
- High Cost
- Higher 3D model size
Game-ready
Non-GIS model
+ Better Visual model
+ Textures on features
- Cost
- No map overlay
- Inconsistent dataset
Airborne
Lidar model
+ Accurate Height
+ Overlaps with OS map
- Unseparated features
- High polycount
- Messy geometry
Airborne Lidar 3D model
3D City Models Overview

10. Airborne
Lidar model
+ Inexpensive dataset
- Out of date
- Visibly inaccurate
Extruded Polygons
city map
+ Up-to-date
+ Overlaps with OS
- Little detail
- No raised rail track
- Visibly inaccurate
Inaccurate
Non-GIS model
+ Up-to-date
+ Textures
- No map overlay
- No raised rail tracks
Photogrammetry
city model
+ Up-to-date
+ Accurate
+ Overlaps with OS
+ Raised rail tracks
- Cost
3D City Models Overview Airborne Lidar 3D model

11. Photogrammetry 3D model
3D City Models Overview Airborne Lidar 3D model

12. Photogrammetry 3D model
3D City Models Overview
Airborne
Lidar model
+ Inexpensive dataset
+ Easy to process
- Visibly inaccurate
- Limited by technology
- Difficult to improve
Extruded Polygons
city map
+ Overlaps with OS
+ Inexpensive
- Very low detail
- Database errors
- Visibly inaccurate
Game-ready
Non-GIS model
+ High Quality model
+ Textures
- Non-geo offset visible
- Low quality surrounds

13. Photogrammetry 3D model
3D City Models Overview Textured Photogrammetry City Model

14. Textured Photogrammetry City Model
3D City Models Overview
Airbourne
Lidar model
+ Better Accuracy
+ Better Detail
- Unseparated
features
- High polycount
- Messy
Photogrammetry
city model
+ Better Accuracy
+ Better Detail
+ Separated Features
- Cost
- Higher polycount
Photogrammetry
Textured model
+ Accurate geometry
+ Higher visual fidelity
+ Separated Features
+ Textures
- Cost
- Higher polycount
Game-ready
Non-GIS model
+ Very high quality
+ Separated Features
- Cost
- No map overlay
- Higher polycount
Extruded
Polygons map
+ Overlaps with OS
+ Inexpensive
- Very low detail
- Database errors
- Visibly inaccurate

15. Game-ready Non-GIS model
3D City Models Overview Textured Photogrammetry City Model

16. Game-ready Non-GIS model
3D City Models Overview
Airborne
Lidar model
+ Better Accuracy
+ Better Detail
- Difficult to work with
- Unseparated model
- High polycount
- Messy geometry
Photogrammetry
city model
+ Better Accuracy
+ Better Detail
+ Separated Features
+ Trees layer
- Cost
- Higher polycount
Photogrammetry
Textured model
+ Accurate geometry
+ Higher visual fidelity
+ Separated Features
+ Textures
- Cost
- Higher polycount
Game-ready
Non-GIS model
+ Inexpensive
+ Hi Quality landmarks
+ Textured
- Patchy coverage
- No map overlay
- Inaccurate close ups
Extruded
Polygons map
+ Overlaps with OS
+ Inexpensive
- Missing Railroads
- Very low detail
- Database errors
- Visibly inaccurate

17. Game-ready Non-GIS model
3D City Models Overview