Cesium

The Cesium section of the Data Layers Panel enables users to stream 3D tilesets and imagery directly from Cesium Ion, allowing for high-performance rendering of large geospatial datasets. These assets are streamed into SiEGA’s environment in real time, providing users with interactive and scalable visualization capabilities.

This section is divided into two categories: Imagery and 3D Tilesets. Each category includes a Local subsection where users can access custom assets that have been uploaded directly from their computer. This structure allows users to easily distinguish between streamed Cesium Ion content and locally imported files for a more organized workflow.

Several tools and options are available within this section:

• Cartographic Clipping Tool: Utilize Cesium’s culling functionality through cartographic polygons to hide specific portions of a tileset, allowing you to isolate areas of interest and declutter your scene.

• Import: Upload custom local assets, including orthographic imagery and 3D tilesets that are not hosted on Cesium Ion. This is useful for visualizing drone captures, photogrammetry models, or site-specific reconstructions.

• Token Input: Input a custom Cesium access token to load assets associated with a different account. By default, the panel uses the token linked to your AeroAI account, which can be updated through the AeroAI user portal.

How to Use Imagery and 3D Tilesets

To load any imagery or 3D tileset, navigate to the appropriate section under Cesium in the Data Layers Panel. Each asset is listed with a square checkbox to the left of its name. Clicking the checkbox will spawn the selected asset into the environment. Unchecking the box will despawn it, removing it from the scene. This toggle system allows you to manage which assets are visible at any time with a single click.

Once an asset is selected, a checkmark will appear in the box next to its name, indicating that it has been successfully loaded into the environment. For 3D tilesets, you may also notice a magnifying glass icon with a plus symbol. This icon means the asset has a predefined geographic location. Clicking the icon will automatically move the camera to the asset’s position in the world. Please note that location-based navigation is only available for 3D tilesets; imagery layers do not include associated coordinates and will not display this icon.

If a location is available for a 3D tileset, clicking the magnifying glass icon will automatically move the camera to that asset’s precise position in the world. This feature allows for quick navigation and immediate visualization of the selected tileset in its geospatial context.

To despawn an asset from the scene, simply click the checkbox next to its name again. Once the asset has been fully removed from the environment, the checkmark will disappear, confirming that the asset is no longer active in the world.

How to Search for Cesium Assets

At the top of the Data Layers Panel, there is a search bar that allows you to quickly locate specific imagery and 3D tilesets. You can use it to search through both Cesium-hosted assets and any local tilesets or imagery you have uploaded. This helps streamline navigation and makes it easier to manage large collections of assets within your project.

Once you have located the search bar at the top of the Data Layers Panel, you can begin typing any keyword. Assets that include the typed word in their name will automatically appear in the results below. From there, you can quickly spawn or despawn assets by using the checkboxes next to their names, making it easy to manage specific files without scrolling through the full list.

How to Import Cesium Token

Cesium uses access tokens to enable asset streaming. By default, SiEGA will use the token linked to your account, which can be managed through the Aero AI website. If you need to update or replace your token, click the Input Token button located to the right of the Cesium section in the Data Layers Panel.

Once you click the Input Token button, a field will appear where you can enter your Cesium access token. Type your token into the text box, then click Submit to apply it. This token will be used to authenticate and stream Cesium assets in your SiEGA environment. After submitting the token, all assets will be reset according to the token inputted.

How to Import Cesium Assets

SiEGA allows you to import custom 3D tilesets and orthographic imagery directly from your device. These locally uploaded assets will appear under the Local Imagery or Local 3D Tilesets categories within the Cesium section of the Data Layers Panel.

To begin, navigate to the Cesium section in the Data Layers Panel and click the Import button located to the right of the Cesium label. This button allows you to upload local 3D tilesets or imagery directly from your device into the project.

After clicking the Import button, a Local Tileset Import window will appear. In this window, type in the Tileset Name, which will be used as the display name under the Local 3D Tilesets or Local Imagery submenu. Then, select the appropriate Tileset Type from the dropdown menu. You can choose between 3DTILES for 3D tilesets or IMAGERY for image-based layers. Once both fields are filled out, click Add Tileset to complete the import process. When you are finished, make sure select the "Add Tileset" button.

Once you click Add Tileset, your system's file explorer will appear. From there, navigate to the folder that contains your tileset files and select the appropriate file, usually named tileset.json. Click Open to upload the asset into SiEGA.

Once the upload is complete, the local tileset will automatically appear in the scene at the location defined by its internal data. A checkmark will also appear next to the asset name, confirming that it has been successfully spawned. You can toggle the asset on or off at any time by clicking the checkbox to despawn or respawn it as needed.

How to Use Cesium's Culling Component

To activate the Cesium Culling Tool, navigate to the Cesium section within the Data Layers Panel. At the top right of the panel, locate and click the Cesium Culling icon (represented by a globe with a clipped section). This tool allows you to define a geographic boundary using cartographic polygons, which will clip or hide sections of a 3D tileset from view.

Once the Cesium Culling Tool is activated, click the “New” button to create a new clipping region. You must click this button each time you want to define a new tile clipping instance. Each instance allows you to isolate or remove a specific portion of the tileset based on your selected area.

After creating a new clipping instance, click the Set button and then select the Cesium 3D tileset you want to apply the clipping to. This step is required for each new instance, as all spline points you add will be tied to the specific 3D tileset you assign.

Once you have assigned the tileset, click the Start Adding Points button to begin placing spline points around the area you wish to clip. These points will define the boundary of the region to be excluded from the tileset.

After placing your spline points, each point will be visually marked in the scene with a red sphere. The number of points added is automatically displayed under "Number of spline points" in the panel. Once your desired area is outlined, you can choose from several options at the bottom of the interface to proceed:

• Stop Adding Points: Finalizes the current placement and exits point selection mode.

• Remove Previous Point: Removes the most recently added spline point.

• Delete All Points: Clears all currently placed points, allowing you to start over.

• Cutout Area: Applies the clipping operation using the defined boundary.

These tools give you full control over the shape and placement of your clipping region before applying any changes to the tileset.

Once you have finished defining and applying your clipping area, you can remove the instance by clicking the trash can icon next to the Set button. This will delete the selected clipping instance and remove any associated spline points from the scene.