Exporting STM with Draped Raster to other 3rd party GIS or CAD Software

Hi all, I'm new to Descartes and creating STMs and am just hoping someone can answer my question regarding STMs with draped rasters.

Is it possible to export an STM with a draped raster, for import and use in any 3rd party software?

I have managed to create an STM and have draped a raster successfully, it looks great, but the problem is, my manager is asking if we can export the file so it can be used by the client.

Is there any software, Bentley (non Descartes) or other 3rd party GIS or CAD software, that I can export this file to and retain the full resolution as displayed in my file?

I just need to know if it is possible at all, as I have to give a definitive 'yes' or 'no'.

If it is not possible to do this; can anyone tell me what the purpose is of being able to create an STM and drape a high resolution raster, if the file can not be communicated to a third party?

Thanks and Best Regards

Matt

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  • Hi Matt,

    Unknown said:
    Is it possible to export an STM with a draped raster, for import and use in any 3rd party software?

    As far as I know it's not possible. The reason is simple: There is not any standard widely used data format that allows to share this type of data. STM is Bentley proprietary format developed by Bentley to allow to handle large DTM data. Draping is not even format, but just a technology (a lot of math formulas) how to dynamically project raster data to STM data. So to export draping is even more complicated, because the target application has also to know how to project raster data to terrain geometry.

    Unknown said:
    I have managed to create an STM and have draped a raster successfully, it looks great, but the problem is, my manager is asking if we can export the file so it can be used by the client.

    Any such widely formulated question cannot be answered. What does it mean "client"? What software does he use? Are there any any conditions or requirements in place?

    You can convert your STM to DTM, which is standard MicroStation element. It opens some possibilities how to export and share terrain data. But any conversion always mean some data lost (no exception), so it's the place where requirememts have to be analyzed: Is the whole terrain your priority? Or do you need a small part? Or is it acceptable to split the terrain into more independent DTM elements?

    I am not sure how raster draping is handled when STM is converted into DTM, because different technology is used, but raster draping to "standard surfaces" like DTM or triangles is supported not only by Descartes, but also by other Bentley software.

    Unknown said:
    Is there any software, Bentley (non Descartes) or other 3rd party GIS or CAD software, that I can export this file to and retain the full resolution as displayed in my file?

    I guess STM is now supported by Descartes only (including other products which includes Descartes functionality like Bentley Map Enterprise), but maybe somebody else will be able to provide more information.

    Unknown said:
    If it is not possible to do this; can anyone tell me what the purpose is of being able to create an STM and drape a high resolution raster, if the file can not be communicated to a third party?

    The main reason is of course to able to work with large DTM data. I agree the ability to share data is also very important (and Bentley do an excelent job here, I don't know any other software company so focused to data sharing and import/export/edit functionality), but the export and sharing adds value to data creation only. It's not an exception that specialized software uses own format and technology, so data cannot be shared directly but has to be converted into some common format (which doesn't exist for large DTM data).

    With regards,

      Jan

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