Simulation of tree point cloud based on the ray-tracing algorithm and three-dimensional tree model

A terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) instrument can scan trees to get three-dimensional (3D) point clouds with detailed tree structures. However, some factors, such as surrounding environment, tree structure, the characteristics and scanning parameters of TLS instrument, can affect the scanning result. Simulation of tree point cloud is an efficient way to avoid and analyse the influence of the above factors. A simulation method was proposed to simulate tree point clouds by using the ray-tracing algorithm and 3D tree models. Thirteen tree models were tested with the proposed simulation method. Ten tree models are from the virtual model library, and other three tree models are constructed from real point cloud data. The accuracy of the simulated results was evaluated by using the absolute value of Hausdorff distances (AVOHD). Although the results showed that leaves and more branches will decrease simulation accuracy, the proposed method is effective and accurate on tree point cloud simulation.

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