Surface Mapping

You can import an image and map it on a surface (and in plan view while mapping).

Supported image sources

Genesis supports three main image workflows:

1. Non-georeferenced image (.jpg, .bmp, .png)

   • You can load the image, then map it manually using known coordinate points.

2. Georeferenced files (for example GeoTIFF and other georeferenced raster/vector files)

   • The image is mapped automatically when coordinate information is available.
   • Georeferenced vector inputs are converted to raster for display before mapping.

3. Image from web service

   • Genesis can fetch imagery from a map tile service and map it automatically to the selected extent.
   • The fetched extent is based on:
     • the current plan section (when creating a new surface), or
     • the selected surface extent (when mapping an existing surface).

Create a surface from an image

If you do not already have a surface, Genesis can create one for you.

1. In the Surface ribbon button, click the small arrow.
2. Select Add Surface Image…
3. Choose your image source.
4. Confirm the dialog.

If the image is georeferenced, mapping is applied automatically. If it is not georeferenced, continue with manual mapping points.

Surface type choice for georeferenced TIFF

When creating a new surface from a georeferenced raster, Genesis can offer two options:

• Flat Surface: creates a planar surface and drapes the image on it.
• Use TIFF Elevation: uses raster values to create an elevation surface.

Use Use TIFF Elevation only when the raster represents terrain/elevation data.

Map an image to an existing surface

You can drape an image over an existing surface.

1. Display the target surface.
2. Double-click the surface.
3. Select Map surface.
4. Choose the image file (or fetch imagery from web service).

Manual georeferencing

For non-georeferenced images, add control points:

1. Click a known location on the image.
2. In the Mapped Point dialog, keep the auto-filled Image X and Image Y.
3. Enter matching World X and World Y coordinates.
4. Repeat for additional known locations.

For reliable mapping, use at least 3 well-distributed points. In many cases, 3 points are sufficient.

Duplicate mapped points are not accepted.

Surface Image dialog fields

When opening Surface Image, these options are available:

Option

• Image From Disk: load an image file from your computer.
• Image From Web: download imagery from a web tile service.

Image From Disk

• Image: select the source file.

Image From Web

• Name: output name for the fetched image.
• Image Server: choose the tile service source.
• Min X / Min Y / Max X / Max Y: bounding box used to fetch imagery.
• Resolution: tile level (higher value = more detail, larger download).
• Save Image File: optional path to save the fetched .tif file.

Rasterize Properties (for vector-to-raster conversion)

When importing some georeferenced vector sources, Genesis can request rasterization settings:

• Color: output color used in the generated raster image.
• ResolutionWidth / ResolutionHeight: output raster dimensions.

Coordinate System

• UTM Zone: UTM zone used for web fetch when no EPSG CRS is provided.
• UTM North: northern/southern hemisphere flag for UTM.
• EPSG CRS: explicit coordinate reference system (for example EPSG:4326).

Edit or remove an existing mapped image

Use Surface Image Map to adjust mapping after import:

• Image: change the mapped image file.
• Remove Image: clear the image from the surface.
• Point entries: review and edit Image/World coordinates for each mapped point.
• Remove point: delete specific control points.

This allows you to refine alignment without restarting the full workflow.

Practical limits and recommendations

• Very large image files may fail to load. Keep source files under approximately 1 GB.
• If you cancel mapping while editing, Genesis returns to the previous mapping state.