Model data

The SGM (SuperMap Global Model) data format is a whole new format provided by SuperMap for storing 3D models. It allows a model to be quickly loaded in a scene for display and view. In addition, files are encrypted with this format to protect the data. SuperMap supports converting 3D model data (e.g., *.3ds) that are popular nowadays to model data in *.sgm format and then loading them in a scene.

SuperMap 3D can generate 3D model cache files from 3D data, and then load them in a 3D scene. After 3D model data are cached, the 3D model cache data include a configuration file *.scv and an index file *.dat (replacing the original *.scm and *.index). The *.scv file is in a plain-code format, and is the cache configuration file of the 3D model data. SuperMap loads cached 3D model data via the *.scv file.

SuperMap Realspace adopts a direct compression method to improve the efficiency of model data transmission. A compression mode is adopted when model cache data are generated. The server then transmits the compressed model data to the client. Data are downloaded and decompressed on the client before they are used. This compression and decompression flow can reduce the data volume during data transmission, and thus improve the transmission performance.

In addition, SuperMap introduced an optimized version of the *.scv format for 3D model cache. This version was designed to improve the speed of downloading model data, to prevent large individual texture file, and to solve some data downloading failures on clients. With the upgraded scv data format, models and texture files are not packaged and sent to clients as a whole as with the original format. Instead, texture files are packaged in groups and sent to clients based on their requirements. The response time the clients have to wait is thus reduced, and the efficiency of data transmission is improved. At the same time, the failure in downloading model data is also solved. SuperMap now uses the upgraded scv format as the standard format for 3D model cache. It still supports loading and publishing data in the original scv format, but does not support generating data in the original scv format anymore.