TerraGo Technologies announces 3D GeoPDF Solution

TerraGo Technologies, a leading provider of geospatial collaboration software solutions, announced the general availability of TerraGo 3D Composer, which enables users to publish portable, actionable 3D GeoPDF maps and imagery from various elevation data sources. TerraGo has also released a new version of the free TerraGo Toolbar, which gives users the power to view and interact with 3D GeoPDF files. TerraGo will demonstrate the new solutions at the ESRI International User Conference in San Diego this week.

Developed in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Defense and currently in use with several government agencies, TerraGo 3D Composer gives GIS experts the ability to extend the value and application of their extensive libraries of elevation data. The new TerraGo Toolbar provides users, even those with no geospatial training, access to mission-critical data as easy-to-use GeoPDF files. With TerraGo 3D GeoPDF files, users can view geographic coordinates, measure length and distance, and geo-locate a point on the 3D map.

“Traditionally, the sharing of Lidar data has been hindered by extremely large file sizes and complex viewers required to navigate and analyze the data,” said Chris Watson, vice president of marketing and business development for TerraGo. “Now, with TerraGo 3D GeoPDF files, organizations are able to provide easy access to highly compressed, interactive PDF-based maps and imagery that maintain the integrity of the data while being portable and actionable.”

As the inventor of GeoPDF maps, TerraGo has a strong record of accomplishment helping organizations provide non-GIS users with access to complex GIS data through a simple, easy-to-use, easy-to-access format. With the invention of the 3D GeoPDF file, TerraGo extends that value proposition further to those government agencies and private sector companies that require access to 3D data in the field for better situational awareness and improved decision-making.

Key features of TerraGo 3D Composer include the following:

    * With TerraGo 3D Composer software, users can convert output from industry standard GIS visualization products to 3D GeoPDF files using both LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) point clouds and other traditional DEM data.
    * TerraGo 3D Composer enables users to convert existing 3D PDF models created from other 3D production software to geo-registered 3D GeoPDF maps, which can then be used for coordinate display and measurement in Adobe Reader.
    * TerraGo 3D GeoPDF maps created through the software contain geographic coordinates dynamically displayed in the document in addition to elevation data. The files can contain layers that have color and transparency for easy analysis.
    * TerraGo 3D Composer uses advanced technology to create high-quality compressed files that can be easily distributed and shared with non-technical geospatial consumers.

TerraGo GeoPDF maps and imagery are the standard across defense and intelligence, civilian government, and commercial organizations for enabling both technical GIS users and non-GIS savvy personnel to distribute, reference, enhance and share geospatial information. Organizations such as the U.S. Army, the U.S. Geological Survey, FEMA and many other organizations create, use and disseminate GeoPDF maps in support of critical operations around the world. The 3D GeoPDF solution is the latest geospatial innovation from TerraGo that extends the access and application of maps and imagery throughout organizations’ entire enterprises and enables multiple organizations to easily share valuable geospatial intelligence.