Dynamic Ortho and Dynamic Terrain improve how imagery is displayed and visualized in SKAND. This update removes the need to enable the globe when viewing imagery and introduces new controls for adjusting how orthos and terrains appear in the scene.
Dynamic Orthos
Dynamic Orthos allow orthomosaics to behave more flexibly within the 3D scene. Users can adjust elevation for better alignment and control opacity to improve visual context.
Creating a Dynamic Ortho Layer
Ensure the Orthomosaic file (supported in tif, tiff formats) is linked to the project before creating a layer.
On the Layers tab, click New Layer to open the layer creation dialog.
Enter a layer name and set the capture date.
Select Dynamic Ortho as the layer type.
Click Next to proceed.
Click the plus icon (+) to initiate upload process.
Tick the orthomosaic file.
Then click Select to initiate processing.
Make sure that the correct file is selected. Click Done to create the dynamic orthomosaic layer.
The layer will be processed and published soon. Once its status shows Published, it will be ready for viewing.
Visualizing a Dynamic Ortho Layer
Changing the Elevation
Users can adjust the elevation of imagery to better align it with other spatial data in the project, improving vertical alignment and overall visual accuracy across all layers.
Click View on Explore once the dynamic ortho layer is published.
Access the layer settings by clicking the gear icon.
Note: Dynamic ortho layers provide access to layer settings, while normal ortho layers do not.
3D controls allow users to adjust the elevation of the orthomosaic.
Pro tip: Check out this document to learn more about the Transform tools.
Rotate the model to give the 3D control more perspective.
Adjust the elevation by dragging the Z-axis (green arrow) up or down.
For granular adjustments, use the Heights textbox.
Optional: Click Reset Position to revert to the original elevation.
Close the layer settings panel once adjustments have been made.
Applying Clipping
Click the Clipping tool to isolate specific parts of the dynamic orthomosaic.
Adjust the boundary box to the area you want to isolate.
Close the Clipping floating window once done.
The selected part of the dynamic orthomosaic is now displayed.
Go back to Clipping tools and click Stop Clipping to return to the original dynamic orthomosaic.
Close the Clipping floating window once done.
Applying Base Maps
Click the Globe Control menu to access the globe view modes.
Select 2D Aerial Map as the view mode and Satellite as the map type to render the globe basemap.
Pro tip: Explore this document to learn more about Globe Control View modes.
Click the Globe Control Menu to close the floating window.
Click the Fly-to button to quickly navigate to the default overhead view.
Pro tip: Users can use Views to create and manage default camera states for their projects.
Dynamic orthomosaic displayed with the satellite 2D basemap.
Dynamic Terrain
Dynamic Terrain allows terrains to render directly in the 3D scene without requiring the globe to be enabled. Users can move, transform, clip, and adjust the opacity of dynamic terrains, keeping the 3D scene more flexible when working with multiple layers.
Creating a Dynamic Terrain
Like normal terrain layers, dynamic terrain layers are created through SKAND’s terrain creation pipeline. Users must first create a dynamic ortho layer, then email support@skand.io to request the Cesium ID required by SKAND.
After processing, SKAND will email the Cesium ID, and users can then follow the steps below.
Ensure the terrain file (supported in tif, and tiff formats) is linked to the project before creating a layer.
On the Layers tab, click New Layer to open the layer creation dialog.
Enter a layer name and set the capture date.
Select Dynamic Terrain as the layer type.
Click Next to proceed.
Enter the Cesium ID of the processed terrain from Cesium Ion in the text field.
Click Next to proceed.
Click the plus icon (+) to initiate upload process.
Tick the same orthomosaic file used in creating the dynamic ortho layer.
Then click Select to initiate processing.
Make sure that the correct file is selected. Click Done to create the dynamic terrain layer.
The layer will be processed and published soon. Once its status shows Published, it will be ready for viewing.
Pro tip: SKAND can automatically create the dynamic terrain layer upon request. Please reach out to support@skand.io for assistance.
Visualizing a Dynamic Terrain Layer
Changing the Elevation
Click View on Explore once the dynamic terrain is published.
Access the layer settings by clicking the gear icon.
Note: Dynamic terrain layers provide access to layer settings, while normal terrain layers do not.
3D controls allow users to adjust the elevation of the dynamic terrain.
Pro tip: Check out this document to learn more about the Transform tools.
Afterwards, click on the 3D viewport to interact with and explore the quarry model visualization.
Rotate the model to give the 3D control more perspective.
Adjust the elevation by dragging the Z-axis (green arrow) up or down.
For granular adjustments, use the Heights textbox.
Optional: Click Reset Position to revert to the original elevation.
Close the layer settings panel once adjustments have been made.
Applying Clipping
Click the Clipping tool to isolate specific parts of the dynamic terrain.
Adjust the boundary box to the area you want to isolate.
Close the Clipping floating window once done.
The isolated part of the dynamic terrain is now displayed.
Go back to Clipping tools and click Stop Clipping to return to the original dynamic terrain.
Close the Clipping floating window once done.
Click the Fly-to button to quickly navigate to the default overhead view.
Dynamic terrain displayed with the default no basemap view.
Notes:
The default Globe view mode for dynamic terrains is 2D Aerial Map with the map type set to Satellite. Users can also switch to 2D Aerial Map – Street Map or use the Default view with no basemap enabled.
The Globe Map Type determines which imagery is draped onto the dynamic terrain.
Pro tip: Using the 3D Terrain view mode is not recommended, as it may cause the dynamic terrain to appear beneath the basemap terrain.
Opacity Control
Opacity can now be adjusted for both dynamic orthos and terrains. This makes it easier to compare imagery with 3D meshes, point clouds, and other layers, validate alignment, and review site conditions without constantly turning layers on or off.
Explore this feature by following the steps below.
Click layer settings.
The Opacity slider controls the transparency of the selected layer. Adjust it as needed.
Use the Opacity textbox for granular adjustments.
Close the layer settings floating panel once done.
Converting Normal Orthos to Dynamic Layers
Users can convert normal ortho layers to a dynamic one to take advantage of the added capabilities including transform, clipping, and opacity controls.
Follow the steps below to begin the conversion.
Make sure the 3D scene is active then click the ellipsis button (...) to access layer settings.
Click Convert Dynamic option to initiate the layer conversion.
Users will receive a notification below confirming that the conversion was successful.
Users can check access to layer settings by clicking the gear icon.
The normal ortho layer has been successfully converted into a dynamic layer. Users can now access transform, clipping, and opacity adjustment tools for the dynamic layer.
Note: Currently, only normal orthos can be converted. Support for normal terrains will be added in a future update.
Dynamic vs Normal Orthos and Terrains
Normal Orthos and Terrain require the globe (basemap) enabled in order to render. They are static and cannot be transformed, moved, clipped, or adjusted for opacity.
Dynamic Orthos and Terrains render directly in the 3D scene without requiring the globe to be enabled. They can be transformed, moved, clipped, and adjusted for opacity, giving users more flexibility and control when working with such datasets.