This document provides an overview of CesiumJS, an open-source JavaScript library for building virtual globes and maps using WebGL. It describes CesiumJS's capabilities such as rendering 3D globes and maps, supporting different terrain and imagery sources, visualizing 3D models and tiles, and integrating with OpenLayers for 2D/3D mapping. Examples of CesiumJS applications are also presented.

1. WebGL Virtual Globe and Map Engine
AGIT 2017, Cesium Version 1.35
Emmanuel Belo emmanuel.belo@camptocamp.com +41 21 619 10 25 @emmanuel_belo

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Camptocamp
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Camptocamp
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CesiumJS
● Javascript Software using WebGL
○ 3D virtual globe
○ 2D map
○ 2.5D Oblique
● 3D Tiles
● Different Terrain elevation profile sources
● Time-dynamic Scene with CZML
● Overlays:
○ Raster: WMS, TMS, OSM, Bing & Esri
○ Vector: glTF, CZML, KML, Shapefiles
● Extensible with plugins
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Web Graphics Library
● Javascript API for rendering interactive 2D/3D graphics within the
web browser
● Hardware acceleration using the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
WebGL Programs consist of :
○ Control code written in Javascript (CPU) and
○ Shader code that is executed on a computer's GPU
● No Plugin ! Also in IE11 !!!
● Mobile device compatible
○ iPhone/iPad
○ Samsung Sx
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WebGL availability
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Terrain Tiles
Stream high-resolution global terrain using the open quantized-mesh
format or traditional height-maps, or plug in your own.
quantized mesh VS height-maps
src: http://blog.mastermaps.com/2014/10/3d-terrains-with-cesium.html
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Quantized Mesh
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High precise DEM (quantized mesh)
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Imagery layers
● Stream imagery using a wide array of open standards and custom
tiling schemes.
● Examples:
○ Web Map Service (WMS) - OGC
○ Web Map Tile Service (WMTS) - OGC
○ Tile Map Service (TMS)
○ OpenStreetMap or any sleepy map
○ Bing Maps - Uses Bing Maps REST Services to access tiles
○ Esri ArcGIS MapServer - Uses the ArcGIS Server REST API
○ Mapbox - Uses the Mapbox API to access tiles
○ Standard image files - Create a tile from a single georeferenced image
○ Custom tiling schemes - Using UrlTemplateImageryProvider, we can
connect to a wide array of imagery sources by using a URL template.
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WMTS dedicated background map
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3D Models
Visualize 3D models using glTF, the runtime asset format for WebGL.
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graphic language Transmission Format
● JSON used to describe node hierarchy
● Node hierarchy refers to EXTERNAL binary asset blobs
○ Geometry, Texture, Material
● Non-compressed asset blob format
○ Direct load in WebGL
● Extensible
○ Streaming and compression
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3D Tiles
Use 3D Tiles to stream, style, and interact with heterogeneous 3D data,
including photogrammetry models, 3D buildings, CAD and BIM exterior
and interiors, and point clouds.
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Vectors and geometry
Load KML, GeoJSON, TopoJSON, and CZML. Use the Cesium API
directly to draw a wide array of features and geometries.
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Clustered POIs overlays (geoJSON)
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Time-dynamic visualization
See our first-class support for high-fidelity time-dynamic simulation,
real-time telemetry streaming, and 4D visualization.
http://apps.agi.com/SatelliteViewer/?Status=Operational
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Cesium Sandcastle
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3D Web Expectation (2014)
● 3D Scenes
○ Aerial imagery and terrain
○ Buildings with textures
○ Label and marker
○ Rich interaction (Navigate, pick, popup, measure, usw.)
○ Global perimeter, higher local resolution
● Technology
○ Web (no plugin), Cross Platform and Cross Device
○ Open Standards and Formats
○ Open Source
● 2D-3D seamless transition
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ol-cesium
● Write once, use in 2D and 3D
● Receive and share with the community
● Easiest way to add 3D to an OpenLayers 3 map
● Start interacting in one world and continue in the other
● It literally brings a new dimension to your maps
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OpenLayers - Cesium integration library
● Create your map using OpenLayers, and visualize it on a globe with
Cesium.
● Switch smoothly between 2D and 3D and synchronize:
○ Map context (bounding box and zoom level);
○ Raster data sources;
○ Vector data sources in 2D and 3D;
○ Map selection (selected items).
● The library is configurable and extensible and allows:
○ Lazy or eager loading of Cesium
○ Limiting Cesium resource consumption (idle detection)
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Switzerlandmobility (2D)
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Switzerlandmobility (3D)
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ol-cesium
● Custom 3D terrain - different projections
● Optimized for lots of users
● CPU/GPU resource saving by stopping the render loop
● Workaround for lines on terrain
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ol-cesium
● Vector clustering: top quality, some geojsons instead of
millions of raster tiles
● 3D vector clustering with 30'000 points
● Fog: reduce details, improve performance
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Topographical catchment areas of Swiss waterbodies
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swissBUILDINGS3D
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ol-cesium
● Lazy loading
● 3D tiles: buildings, bridges
● Own synchronizers (raster => vector, different projections)
● Immersive views
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Meet the community
● Main website: http://www.cesiumjs.org
● GitHub:
○ https://github.com/AnalyticalGraphicsInc/cesium
○ https://github.com/openlayers/ol-cesium
● Mailing lists: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/cesium-dev
● Twitter: @CesiumJS
● Professional Services:
http://www.camptocamp.com/en/solution/virtual-globe-3d/
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