This guide includes the following sections:

Watch the video: MapBrowser - 3D Viewer & 3D Export


For 3D export to be available, it is required that your organisation have a 3D Export licence and that export credits are still available for your license. You also need to have 3D export permissions, which your account administrator can provide you.

Connection Requirements

For best results, we recommend the following:

  • Use at least a 100 Mbit/s internet connection
  • Use a wired connection
  • If you are using a WiFi connection, avoid moving the computer whilst the download is in progress
  • Do not shut down, hibernate, or let the computer sleep during the download.

3D Content for Export

Using MapBrowser you can export (download) all Nearmap 3D Products, and then use the content in third-party applications (see INTEGRATIONS).

The following table lists the formats that can be exported from MapBrowser, and the typical download size for each format.

Check the 3D PRODUCTS page for more discussion about these formats:

Note: the typical download size per square km and square mile varies a lot, depending on the complexity of the scene.

FormatTypical download size per km2 / mi2
3D Textured Mesh
OBJ1.4 GB / 3.58 GB
SLPK0.8 GB / 2.05 GB
Cesium 3D Tiles0.6 GB / 0.23 GB
3MX0.5 GB / 1.28 GB
FBX0.375 GB / 1 GB
3D Point Cloud
LAS1.1 GB / 2.8 GB
DSM
TIF (GeoTIFF 32-bit floating point)150 MB / 358 MB
True Ortho
TIF (GeoTIFF)

900 MB / 2.3 GB

DTM *
TIF (GeoTIFF)

* DTM is known as DEM in Australia.

3D Export Allowance

When you purchase 3D Export you get an allowance for a certain number of square kilometers or miles. When a user on your account performs the export, the area of the export is deducted from the allowance. For example, if you start with 1200 km2 and you export an area of 20 km2, you will have 1180 km2 left on your 3D export allowance.

Allowance is counted when the export completes and is ready for you to download

  • You can download the exported files any number of times without incurring any additional usage charges.
  • You can download any number of content types in a single export and it will be counted as if you downloaded one type.
  • If you perform separate exports for different types, you will be charged for each export. 


Note that the maximum export area is 50 km2 (20 mi2) and the minimum export area is 100 m2 (about 1000 ft2), which is roughly equivalent to a very small residential property).

Exporting 3D Imagery

1. Access 3D Export 

Click the Export tool and select 3D from the drop-down menu:


2. Select a Capture

Select the capture, which is a combination of the capture region and the month and year of the first survey in the capture. 

You must select a capture in order to proceed.

Note that each 3D capture is made up of multiple surveys, flown at different dates, so the entire scene could be made up of photos taken over one to three months.

This means that there may be several capture dates included in the export. These are listed in the ReadMe file that is included in the export.

3. Choose a projection

A range of projections is available relative to the geographical area currently visible in MapBrowser.

Default projections

A default projection will be pre-chosen that is relevant for the area being viewed and which reflects country standards.

Country defaults are as follows:

  • US – NAD83/UTM + NAVD88
  • AU – GDA2020/MGA + AHD
  • CA – NAD83(CSRS)/UTM + CGVD2013

If you are not sure which projection to use, stick to the default.


FORMER DEFAULT PROJECTIONS

In August 2020 we moved from default exports being based on the WGS84/UTM projection to those above in the list. This aligns with country standards and realises the accuracy of our content when used with existing standard country datasets. You can still set one of these projections by selecting it from Projection dropdown:

  • US – WGS84/UTM-EGM2008
  • AU – WGS84/UTM-AHD
  • CA – WGS84/UTM-CGVD2013

4. Select the Content Type and Format 

Select the types and formats of the content that you want to export. The available content types and file formats are listed under 3D Content for Export. You can select up to 4 content types and any number of available formats available per content type for your selected export projection.

If you've selected more than one content type, "Multi" is indicated in the dropdown.



Projections with Limited content types and format

There are some projections which are specific and limited to one content type and format. These are:

ProjectionContent TypeFormat
ECEFTextured MeshCesium 3D Tiles
WGS84/Geodetic + EGM96Textured MeshSLPK

          


Similarly, when you select a projection other than ECEF or WGS84/Geodetic + EGM96, and you select Cesium or SLPK as one of the formats, they will be exported in ECEF and WGS84/Geodetic + EGM96 projections. This is reflected in the Export panel, as shown in the screenshot below:


NOT SURE WHAT UTM ZONE YOU NEED?

You can find your UTM zone using either of these tools:

https://mangomap.com/robertyoung/maps/69585/what-utm-zone-am-i-in-#

https://www.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html?webmap=354d3c2bad9342c0b065ee703152d7c8&extent=-128.8105,21.6634,-63.9033,50.4336


ArcGIS also has an SPCS zone tool for the US:

https://www.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html?useExisting=1&layers=23178a639bdc4d658816b3ea8ee6c3ae


5. Define the Export Area

There are two ways to define your export area:

a. Draw the area you wish to export.
The area can be any shape of polygon, it doesn’t have to be rectangular. 


b. Alternatively, you can import a GeoJSON file to define your export area.
Follow these steps:

Import a GeoJSON file

  1. On the map inside MapBrowser, click the upload a GeoJSON file link.



  2. Browse to your GeoJSON file and click Open.

You can also simply drag and drop your GeoJSON file anywhere on the map.

Errors when defining the export area

If your GeoJSON file is has more than 1000 vertices, you will see a warning dialog like the one shown below. You won't be able to upload that GeoJSON file. Close the dialog and either draw around your area for export, or use a simpler GeoJSON file.

Refer to Valid GeoJSON and Polygon Formats for Content Export for a detailed explanation of other possible GeoJSON errors and what you can do about them.

Also to note:

  • If you draw an area that does not have 3D coverage, you will see a warning message and will not be able to proceed with the export.

  • If you draw an area that has only partial 3D content, the export will include only the area with 3D content and your allowance will only be deducted by the amount that was actually exported.

6. Perform the Export

Once you finish defining the export area, the total size of the selection is shown in the Summary section. The total allowance is shown as well. If the export area size is greater than the available allowance, the export will not be able to proceed.

Press REVIEW EXPORT.

A dialog informs you of the export details. Click CONFIRM EXPORT to proceed, or CANCEL to go back and change the export details. Once confirmed the export starts, and the exported area is deducted from your 3D allowance.

7. Download

The Downloads screen will open, showing your downloads list and the status of each download, including the current one.

When the download is ready, you can expand the row to see what files are included in the export. The 3D File Contents guide provides a detailed explanation of each file included in each content type.

Click on the each content block to download the files. 

Once downloaded, you can use the files in one of the third-party applications. See INTEGRATIONS.


Downloads button

NOTE: You can access your downloads at any time by clicking the Downloads button on MapBrowser.


3D file contents

 Click here to expand...

FormatFileDescription

3D Textured Mesh 

3D Textured Mesh OBJReadme.pdfFile describing the exported files (metadata).

Tiles.dbf
Tiles.prj
Tiles.shp
Tiles.shx

The shapefile containing tiles and area of interest of the export.


Folder Mesh_0_0Folder containing the files for the tile Mesh_0_0.

Mesh_0_0/Mesh_0_0-0.jpg
Mesh_0_0.mtl
Mesh_0_0.obj

Files for tile Mesh_0_0.

Mesh_0_0.obj.ofsText file containing projection offset values.
3D Textured Mesh SLPKReadme.pdfFile describing the exported file (metadata).

Mesh.slpkSLPK File containing the output content.
3D Textured Mesh 3MXReadme.pdfFile describing the exported files.

Mesh.3MXMesh File containing the output content.

.3mxb Internal files.
3D Textured Mesh – Cesium 3D TilesReadme.pdfFile describing the exported files (metadata).

Data(Folder)

Contains the Cesium tileset.

Cesium3dTiles.json

Reference file for the tileset.
3D Textured Mesh FBXReadme.pdfFile describing the exported file (metadata).

Tiles.dbf
Tiles.prj
Tiles.shp
Tiles.shx		The shapefile containing tiles and area of interest of the export.

Mesh.fbxMesh File containing the output content.

Mesh.fbmFolder containing textures.

Mesh.fbx.ofsText file containing projection offset values.

3D Point Cloud

3D Point Cloud LASReadme.pdfFile describing the exported file (metadata).

Tiles.dbf
Tiles.prj
Tiles.shp
Tiles.shx

The shapefile containing tiles and area of interest of the export.

PointCloud_0_0.lasLAS File containing the output content.

DSM

DSM GeoTIFFReadme.pdfFile describing the exported file (metadata).

Tiles.dbf
Tiles.prj
Tiles.shp
Tiles.shx

The shapefile containing tiles and area of interest of the export.

DSM_0_0.tifGeoTIFF File containing the output content.

True Ortho

True Ortho GeoTIFFReadme.pdfFile describing the exported file (metadata).

Tiles.dbf
Tiles.prj
Tiles.shp
Tiles.shx		The shapefile containing tiles and area of interest of the export.

TrueOrtho_0_0.tifGeoTIFF File containing the output content.

DTM (DTM in US, DEM in AU)

DTM GeoTIFFReadme.pdfFile describing the exported file (metadata).

Tiles.dbf
Tiles.prj
Tiles.shp
Tiles.shx		The shapefile containing tiles and area of interest of the export.

DTM.tif

GeoTIFF File containing the output content.

Download Status

The download status can be any one of the following:

  • Pending - the export is about to start being processed by our system. This lasts only for a few seconds after clicking the EXPORT button.
  • Running - the export is currently being processed by our system. This may take any time from seconds to a few hours depending on the size of the export area, the terrain of the export area, and the requested file types. At this point you have not yet been charged.
  • Ready for Download - The export has been correctly processed and you can download the imagery. 
  • Failed - the export failed to export properly. In the rare case where this may happen, please contact Nearmap Support by submitting a support request.

    REQUEST SUPPORT

    You will not be charged for the download.

Tips for Exporting 3D

If you want to export a single building, select an area slightly bigger than the building you want to export, to avoid getting an incomplete 3D image.



Frequently Asked Questions

Does my normal imagery allowance get charged when I download 3D?

No, you have a separate allowance for 3D imagery.

Will the exported 3D look the same as the 3D displayed in MapBrowser?

Exported 3D should have a very similar appearance to the 3D viewed in the Map Browser. If you are viewing the same capture, it will be the same content, however different formats and applications may display the extracted 3D in slightly different ways, which may make the content appear to be different.

Can I preview my actual format (e.g. DSM) before I export it and get charged for it?

There is no way to preview DSM before it is exported, but the elevation values present in the DSM will reflect those seen in the 3D imagery in MapBrowser.

Does your 3D work in all applications?

There are many different applications and we have not tested them all. We support specific formats that may work with an application that supports that format. Demo samples are available to validate that a format works as expected in an application.

For more information, please refer to 3D Content in Applications.

Can I get a small free export so I can test if the 3D export works in my application?

This is not possible, but you can get demo samples for testing application support of formats. These are available via your Nearmap account manager.

How do I download additional formats for an existing export without getting charged again?

You can select multiple formats in the export dialogue box when setting up a single export.

However, if you go back to the same area and try to export other formats again, you are charged again for the export.

Why am I not able to export 3D?

For export to be available, it is required that your organisation have a 3D Export licence and that export credits are still available for your license. Also, you need to have 3D export permissions, which your account administrator can provide you. Check with your Nearmap account administrator that they have granted you the correct licence and permissions for 3D Export. It is possible that if you do have a 3D Export licence, it is on a separate licence. If your administrator needs to change the licence, they can use these instructions: Grant/Revoke/Change a Nearmap Licence.

How can I export all the 3D you have for certain city?

You need to do this via an offline 3D export process. Please contact your Nearmap account manager for this.

What is the maximum allowed export size? 

Any single export is limited to 50km2/20mi2. This could be any where between 25GB and 75GB in size depending on the format you have chosen.

When should a I use offline 3D as opposed to online export?

Offline 3D is preferable in the following cases:

  • For single exports that are bigger than 50 km2
  • For exports of formats that are not currently supported by online MapBrowser Export.
    Refer to 3D PRODUCTS for a list of Nearmap 3D products that are available via MapBrowser and offline.

Is downloading an existing export output counted against my allowance?

No, 3D Export allowance is counted at the time of the export. You are free to download the output files at any time without those being counted again.


Troubleshooting

When you click the EXPORT button the export process is supposed to start, as you will be able to see in the Downloads screen. If you clicked the EXPORT button and nothing happened, your corporate firewall or proxy server may be blocking these addresses:

You will need to make sure these are whitelisted in order to be able to perform the export. 

You can check if your network is blocking the download by performing the following steps:

  1. Click on the following link: 
    1. Australia - https://kepler-exports-prod-ap-southeast-2.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/test.txt
    2. United States - https://kepler-exports-prod-us-east-1.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/test.txt
  2. Save the text file.
  3. Open the saved file.

If the downloaded text file has the contents TEST SUCCESSFUL, then your network is not blocking the download. If your download still fails and you are unable to resolve the issue yourself, please contact Nearmap Support:

SUBMIT A SUPPORT REQUEST