Solid Terrain Modeling to Build 31-Foot, 3-D Model for Hudson River Museum Exhibition; DMCD-Designed Hudson Riverama Exhibition to Open in February.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

FILLMORE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 14, 2003

Solid Terrain Modeling (STM), manufacturer of the world's most accurate 3-D solid terrain models, said it is building a 4-foot by 31-foot 3-D solid terrain model of the Hudson River and surrounding areas. The model is being commissioned by the Hudson River Museum and coordinated by New York design firm, DMCD, and will be the centerpiece of its Hudson Riverama museum exhibition. The exhibition will open in February at the Hudson River Museum in Yonkers, New York. RH Guest is fabricating the exhibit.

James Hollingsworth, project designer for DMCD, said, "Like dioramas, topographic models have long been used in natural history exhibitions to engage visitors with three-dimensional renderings of the natural world. The model of the Hudson River and its surrounding regions will differ from traditional topographic models in that it is highly accurate, rather than impressionistic. Imagery generated by a range of contemporary scientific technologies will allow us to present different 'windows' on the river."

The 31-foot-long model is to scale in length and has a 3x vertical exaggeration. The form of the model is generated from the latest USGS topographic data. Its contours are cut by computer, using a fine grid with exact elevation points. Most of the imagery and color on the model comes from eight-meter USGS DOQQs overlaid with Landsat 7 satellite imagery. Numerous features on the model are magnified to a higher resolution to aid interpretation.

Hollingsworth added, "Other aerial photography and satellite sources in natural color or color infrared are used for the magnified images. In addition to this imagery, the model will incorporate images generated by other sources, including geophysics data, bathymetry data, and USGS DRG data. Images were chosen to enhance the exhibit content. All of these images will be geo-referenced, located and registered accurately to one another. Equally as important, each will be located exactly to the three-dimensional topographic form of the model."

Lawrence Faulkner, STM president, said, "This model is the longest ever produced of the Hudson River. It is the visual and interpretive centerpiece of the exhibition and we are looking forward to seeing it installed."

About STM Models

STM produces the world's most accurate, full-color, 3-D solid models of geographic terrain. STM models provide a level of comprehension not found in any other mapping technology. People can gather around an STM model and view it from any angle. They can discuss it, touch it, and point to specific features on it. As they do, everyone in the group "gets" it -- the scale, distances, terrain, coloration, points of view, sight lines and more.

To produce a model, STM uses digital elevation and imagery data for the selected geographic area. The elevation data controls STM's highly calibrated cutting machine as it carves the model into high-density plastic foam. Then, STM's printing machine applies the image data directly onto the model's surface. The result is an exact replica of the geographic area -- in breathtaking detail, and in brilliant color.

Seventeen STM models are now on display at the National Geographic Society's Explorers Hall museum in Washington, DC.

Solid Terrain Modeling
340 Fillmore St., Fillmore, CA 93015
805-524-7307
Fax: [phone]
www.stm-usa.com