Work

Procedural Point Cloud and Mesh Editing for Urban Planning Using Blender

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Urban planning has become increasingly complex, necessitating the use of digitized data, large-scale city scans, and advanced tools for planning and development. Recent advancements in open-source 3D modeling software—Blender, have introduced powerful procedural editing tools like geometry nodes alongside robust mesh and curve manipulation capabilities. These features position Blender as a viable and cost-effective alternative to proprietary solutions in urban planning workflows. This study identifies common requirements, tasks, and workflows associated with cityscape transformation and visualization, implementing them within Blender’s environment. Documented working examples are provided, including procedural editing, cloud painting, and mesh transformation operations, demonstrating Blender’s versatility. To evaluate its practicality and performance, we conducted a comparative analysis with the Rhinoceros Grasshopper, a widely used tool in urban planning. Metrics such as computational efficiency, workflow adaptability, and user experience were analyzed across multiple scenarios involving point cloud processing, mesh editing, and visualization tasks. Finally, we suggest further potential improvements aided by Blender’s powerful scripting framework.

Source: Land

DOI: 10.3390/land14040815

Authors: Gorazd Gorup, Žiga Lesar, Matija Marolt, Ciril Bohak

Institution: University of Ljubljana

Language: English

Topic: 3D Modeling in Geospatial Applications

Subfield: Building and Construction

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137