Visualization of 3D Models with Modern Technologies

Course guarantor:

Karel Pavelka, Karel Pavelka

Lecturer:

Jiří Cajthaml, Vojtěch Cehák, Michal Janovský, František Mužík, Karel Pavelka, Karel Pavelka, Pavel Tobiáš

Tutor:

Jiří Cajthaml, Vojtěch Cehák, Michal Janovský, František Mužík, Karel Pavelka, Karel Pavelka, Pavel Tobiáš

Supervisor:

Department of Geomatics

Synopsis:

The course introduces students to a comprehensive workflow for creating, processing, and presenting 3D spatial data. Students learn to prepare and optimise digital twins of real-world objects and spaces, create 3D cartographic visualisations, and apply procedural modelling techniques to buildings and landscapes. The course covers geometry processing, textures and PBR materials, spatial-data import into game engines, and the creation of interactive scenes.

Students acquire basic skills in ArcGIS, Esri CityEngine, Unreal Engine 5, and Unity. They apply these skills to the creation of a virtual museum for virtual reality, a 3D cartographic landscape visualisation, a physical model produced by 3D printing, and a simple mobile augmented reality application.

Requirements:

Basic computer literacy and a willingness to work with 3D graphics, spatial data, and game engines are expected. Basic knowledge of geographic information systems, 3D modelling, or programming is an advantage but is not a prerequisite. The lectures and practical classes are closely interconnected, and individual lessons build upon one another throughout the course. The practical classes directly develop the knowledge and methods introduced during the lectures. Regular attendance is therefore highly desirable to maintain continuity and successfully complete the subsequent assignments.

To obtain the course credit, students are required to participate actively in practical classes, complete the assigned practical tasks on an ongoing basis, and submit the final projects: a VR museum, an AR model, and a 3D city model. The final examination takes the form of a written test.

Syllabus of lectures:

Introduction to 3D Model Processing and Representation

Introduction to Unreal Engine 5

Advanced Work in Unreal Engine 5

Other Methods of 3D Object Visualisation

Introduction to 3D GIS

Introduction to Procedural Modelling

Working with Raster Data and Procedural Vegetation Generation in Unreal Engine 5

Introduction to 3D Printing, Basic Principles, and Single-Colour Printing

Colour 3D Printing and Printing a 3D City Map Model

Introduction to Unity and Marker-Based Augmented Reality

Development of a Mobile Application Using Geolocated Augmented Reality

Syllabus of tutorials:

Introduction to 3D Model Processing and Representation

Introduction to Unreal Engine 5

Advanced Work in Unreal Engine 5

Other Methods of 3D Object Visualisation

Introduction to 3D GIS

Introduction to Procedural Modelling

Working with Raster Data and Procedural Vegetation Generation in Unreal Engine 5

Introduction to 3D Printing, Basic Principles, and Single-Colour Printing

Colour 3D Printing and Printing a 3D City Map Model

Introduction to Unity and Marker-Based Augmented Reality

Development of a Mobile Application Using Geolocated Augmented Reality

Study Objective:

After completing the course, students will be able to:

- prepare and optimise a digital-twin 3D model for real-time use;

- process model geometry using retopology, polygon reduction, and levels of detail;

- create and apply textures and materials using a PBR workflow;

- import 3D models and cartographic data into Unreal Engine 5;

- create an interactive scene and a simple VR application;

- work with 3D scenes and 3D symbology in ArcGIS;

- explain the principles of procedural modelling and create basic CGA Shape Grammar rules;

- create a 3D cartographic landscape visualisation containing terrain, water bodies, buildings, vegetation, and lighting;

- prepare a model for 3D printing and perform basic post-processing;

- create a simple mobile AR application in Unity;

- distinguish between and apply markerless, marker-based, and geolocated AR approaches.

Study materials:

Note:

The course combines digital twin creation, 3D cartographic visualisation, procedural modelling, 3D printing, and the development of virtual and augmented reality applications. The course is predominantly practice-oriented and uses ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, Esri CityEngine, Unreal Engine 5, Agisoft Metashape, SketchUp, and Unity.

Time-table for winter semester 2026/2027:

	06:00–08:0008:00–10:0010:00–12:0012:00–14:0014:00–16:0016:00–18:0018:00–20:0020:00–22:0022:00–24:00
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu	roomTH:C-s108 10:35–12:15 (lecture parallel1) Thákurova 7 (budova FSv) roomTH:C-s108 12:20–14:00 (lecture parallel1 parallel nr.101) Thákurova 7 (budova FSv)
Fri

Time-table for summer semester 2026/2027:

Time-table is not available yet

The course is a part of the following study plans:

• Geodézie a kartografie, specializace Geomatika (compulsory elective course)