SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRANSLATING A 3D VISUALIZATION TO A 2D VISUALIZATION

1 . A system for translating 3D visualization to a 2D visualization, comprising:

a database configured to store data for a 3D visualization of a real world or virtual world, wherein the 3D visualization comprises layers of voxels; and

a server comprising a central processing unit, memory, an input port to receive the 3D visualization from the database, and an output port, wherein the central processing unit is configured to:

process the voxels of each layer to determine a type of terrain and a color associated with that that terrain type;

transform each voxel in a base layer of the 3D visualization into a tile of pixels as a 2D visualization;

assign the color associated with the layers to the tiles, comprising:

for each such layer, identify a marker for each voxel that indicates a presence or absence of the terrain type for that layer; and

apply the color associated with the layer to at least a portion of the tiles based on the markers associated with the voxels;

when multiple colors are applied to one or more of the tiles, select the color associated with the layer furthest from the base layer; and

provide the 2D visualization with the 3D visualization.

2 . A system according to claim 1 , wherein the central processing unit accesses layer expansion templates and applies texture to the 2D visualization based on the accessed layer expansion templates.

3 . A system according to claim 2 , wherein the layer expansion templates provide texturing instructions for each terrain type.

4 . A system according to claim 1 , wherein the marker comprises a value of 1 for presence of the terrain type for one of the layers and further comprises a value of 0 for an absence of the terrain type for that layer.

5 . A system according to claim 1 , wherein the central processing unit adds contour lines to the 2D image based on changes in altitude represented by the 3D image.

6 . A system according to claim 5 , wherein the contour lines are added to the 2D visualization, comprising:

scanning the 2D image in one direction; and

determining placement of the contour lines, comprising:

identifying a location where an altitude for the location equals the change in altitude measured from a previous contour line; and

marking the location with a further contour line.

7 . A system according to claim 5 , wherein the central processing unit applies shading to the 2D visualization based on the changes in altitude.

8 . A system according to claim 7 , wherein the shaping is applied by:

identifying a drop in altitude within one of the tiles;

comparing the drop in altitude to a predetermined altitude drop; and

adding the shading to the tile when the identified altitude drop satisfies or exceeds the predetermined altitude drop.

9 . A system according to claim 1 , wherein the central processing unite accesses a template for one or more objects based on the data of the 3D visualization and places the objects in the 2D visualization based on the templates accessed.

10 . A system according to claim 9 , wherein the objects are placed in one or more of the tiles of the 2D image randomly or in a designated location.

11 . A method for translating a 3D visualization to a 2D visualization, comprising:

receiving data for a 3D visualization of a real world or virtual world, wherein the 3D visualization comprises layers of voxels;

processing the voxels of each layer to determine a type of terrain and a color associated with that that terrain type;

transforming each voxel in a base layer of the 3D visualization into a tile of pixels as a 2D visualization;

assigning the color associated with the layers to the tiles, comprising:

for each such layer, identifying a marker for each voxel that indicates a presence or absence of the terrain type for that layer; and

applying the color associated with the layer to at least a portion of the tiles based on the markers associated with the voxels;

when multiple colors are applied to one or more of the tiles, selecting the color associated with the layer furthest from the base layer; and

providing the 2D visualization with the 3D visualization.

12 . A method according to claim 11 , further comprising:

access layer expansion templates; and

apply texture to the 2D visualization based on the accessed layer expansion templates.

13 . A method according to claim 12 , wherein the layer expansion templates provide texturing instructions for each terrain type.

14 . A method according to claim 11 , wherein the marker comprises a value of 1 for presence of the terrain type for one of the layers and further comprises a value of 0 for an absence of the terrain type for that layer.

15 . A method according to claim 11 , further comprising:

adding contour lines to the 2D image based on changes in altitude represented by the 3D image.

16 . A method according to claim 15 , wherein the contour lines are added to the 2D visualization, comprising:

scanning the 2D image in one direction; and

determining placement of the contour lines, comprising:

identifying a location where an altitude for the location equals the change in altitude measured from a previous contour line; and

marking the location with a further contour line.

17 . A method according to claim 15 , further comprising:

applying shading to the 2D visualization based on the changes in altitude.

18 . A method according to claim 17 , wherein the shaping is applied by:

identifying a drop in altitude within one of the tiles;

comparing the drop in altitude to a predetermined altitude drop; and

adding the shading to the tile when the identified altitude drop satisfies or exceeds the predetermined altitude drop.

19 . A method according to claim 11 , further comprising:

accessing a template for one or more objects based on the data of the 3D visualization; and

placing the objects in the 2D visualization based on the templates accessed.

20 . A method according to claim 19 , wherein the objects are placed in one or more of the tiles of the 2D image randomly or in a designated location.