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Augmented Reality (AR)

Federal Office of Topography swisstopo

Themes	Description
Augmented and Virtual Reality	swisstopo geodata provides a useful basis for 3D visualisations in the fields of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR).
Archiving of geodata	Archiving of geodata at the federal level focuses on the storage of geodata for an unlimited period of time. The archived geodata can then be made available in a future geoinformation system. Within the scope of the Ellipse project, swisstopo and the Swiss Federal Archives (SFA) developed a solution for the archiving of geodata. The project was concluded at the end of 2016 and the results are documented in the manual on the archiving of federal geodata.
Apprenticeship at swisstopo	swisstopo offers fascinating apprenticeships for training as a geomatician, commercial employee or computer scientist with a Federal Proficiency Certificate (EFZ).
A journey through time – aerial images	Go on a fascinating journey and travel back in time with the help of aerial images from swisstopo. Discover the history of Switzerland’s landscape as seen from the air.
A journey through time – maps	Embark on a voyage through time with swisstopo’s topographic maps and travel through almost 175 years of Swiss cartographical history.

Themes	Description
Basic data	What is in the ground beneath our feet? When it comes to the sustainable management of our living space, historical maps and digital 3D models are just as important bases as geological, geophysical and geotechnical datasets. The GeoCover vector dataset depicts all of Switzerland on the basis of the 1:25,000 map sheets.
Background information on the National Map	The national maps of Switzerland that are in use today are based on the provisions of the legislation dating from 1935. These maps were implemented at varying scales and subsequently replaced the Dufour and Siegfried maps and their supplements.
Background information on the Dufour Map	The 1:100,000 topographic map of Switzerland (Dufour Map) was the first official series of maps that encompassed the whole of the country. It was published in the period from 1845 to 1865 and thus coincides with the creation of the modern Swiss Confederation.
Background information on the Siegfried Map	The original surveys for the Dufour Map were used for the publication of the 1:25,000 / 1:50,000 Topographic Atlas of Switzerland (Siegfried Map), which was produced between 1870 and 1926 as a co-operation between the federal government and the cantons, based on two Federal Acts dating from 1868.

Themes	Description
Coordinates	How are coordinates calculated? The calculation of coordinates requires a coordinates system and a map projection method. Then control points have to be marked on the ground.
Cantonal and municipal boundaries	In Switzerland, the cantons are responsible for cantonal and municipal boundaries, which are recorded in the cadastral survey.
Cadastral system	The Swiss cadastral system comprises three pillars: the cadastral survey, the Cadastre of Public Law Restrictions on Landownership (PLR Cadastre) and the land register.
Cadastral Surveying	The cadastral survey safeguards landownership and forms the basis for geodata and standardised geographic information systems.
Colloquia - presentations	swisstopo colloquia primarily serve the internal further training of our specialists at all levels. Presentations from past colloquia are archived here.

Themes	Description
Digital geological data	Basic geological data in digital form are primarily used for carrying out modern geological analyses and exploring the underground. They form an essential basis for the development of comprehensive geological datasets and models in the domains of natural hazards, geo-energy and raw materials, as well as for dealing with issues relating to the environment.
Documents see Publications	Reports, specialist publications, instruction manuals, product information and presentations of the Federal Office of Topography swisstopo.
Director	Fridolin Wicki is head of the Federal Office of Topography swisstopo
Directory of towns and cities	The official directory of towns and cities lists all Swiss localities in a database by name, postcode and perimeter.
Directory of building addresses	The official directory of building addresses lists all official addresses in Switzerland in a single uniform register.
Direct supervision	Seven cantons plus Liechtenstein have assigned the operational management of the cadastral survey to the Federal Directorate of Cadastral Surveying.

Themes	Description
European reference systems	The European reference system, ETRS89, permits more accurate connection to local reference systems of the national survey.
Exchange of data between authorities	On 6 April 2016 the Federal Council signed an agreement on the exchange of basic federal geodata between authorities, thus creating the basis for simplified use of these data.
Events	swisstopo regularly attends public and trade fairs, and organises symposiums on various aspects of geoinformation.

Themes	Description
Fundamental point	Zimmerwald geostation is the fundamental point of the national survey and thus forms the point of origin for Switzerland’s coordinates system.
Free basic geodata (OGD)	swisstopo provides its official data and products online, free of charge and for open access use. This step is being taken within the framework of the Open Government Data (OGD) Strategy.
Free geodata	The free geodata can be downloaded directly into the swisstopo onlineshop after acceptance of the terms of use. They are also available on opendata.swiss with further datasets.

Themes	Description
Gravimetry	Gravimetry is a method that is applied for measuring the earth’s gravity field, which has to be taken into account when carrying out geodetic measurements.
Global navigation satellite systems	GNSS is a collective term that refers to the use of global navigation satellite systems. Here are a few examples.
Geographic names	Spatial referencing is one of the most important aspects of everyday life. It often determines our life and actions without being noticed. Verbal communication in association with topographic objects is difficult to imagine without the use of names. It is much easier to locate geographic units and elements with the aid of names than through the use of coordinates.
Geodata infrastructure	Geodata infrastructures are used to optimally network and make available geographic, or spatial, information. The aim is to make this so-called geoinformation accessible to a wide range of users simply, cheaply and in high quality.
geo.admin.ch	The federal geoportal geo.admin.ch provides digital access to maps, aerial photographs and geographic information from the federal administration covering the entire territory of Switzerland. You can thus access geoservices, information and data from the various federal departments easily and free of charge.
Geoinformation and geodata	Geodata is digital information that can be assigned a specific spatial location on the earth's surface.
Geology in everyday life	How are rocks formed? Why is geology so important when it comes to energy production? The history of our planet is full of secrets and fascinating facts. The Swiss Geological Survey offers a range of easily comprehensible publications and free guided tours that help raise our awareness of geology.
Geological topics	Where are Switzerland’s mineral resources located? Where and how can geothermal energy be used sustainably in order to produce energy? The Swiss Geological Survey creates the basic data for the utilisation of geo-resources. It promotes an awareness and appreciation of geology in everyday life and provides answers to a variety of social questions.
Geo-resources	Where does Switzerland have resources of raw materials? Where and how can geothermal energy be used in a sustainable manner in order to produce energy? The term “geo-resources” refers to all geological resources that serve as the basis for life in modern-day society: groundwater, mineral resources, energy production and underground space for construction, storage and disposal of materials.
GeoMol	A geological 3D model of the Swiss Plateau
Geological maps	The Swiss Geological Survey’s geological maps currently form the sole nationwide dataset relating to the structure of the underground in Switzerland. They thus make a valuable contribution towards the exploration and sustainable use of the underground. Both digital datasets and 3D models of the underground can be derived from these maps.
geoBIM strategy of swisstopo	Aim of the geoBIM strategy of swisstopo is to develop national standards for coordinated high-quality data that can be widely used.
Graduate internships at swisstopo	A graduate internship at swisstopo provides trainees with an opportunity to gain practical experience in their field of study, and is an ideal way to launch their career. It is also a good opportunity for them to begin to assume responsibility in their profession and establish valuable contacts.
geocat.ch	geocat.ch is the Swiss Catalogue for geometadata. Geometadata describe geospatial data and enable its search, evaluation and management.
Geodetic points (FPDS)	In its “control point data service”, swisstopo provides control point data online. Here you can access the control point data service data viewer.
Gravity Field Consortium	In cooperation with the Mathematical and Physical Geodesy Group at the Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich, swisstopo offers a new geoid model and software for calculating gravimetric data.
Geological services	The Swiss Geological Survey provides access to geological data and 3D models of the underground. It coordinates geological activities in Switzerland and provides advice on geo-energy projects and subsurface construction projects.

Themes	Description
Historical maps	The swisstopo map collection consists of first editions, updates of the official map series “Dufour Map”, “Siegfried Map” and “National Maps” as well as handwritten items. All editions of the maps produced in analogue form are available digitally in swisstopo's “Journey through time”.
History and collections	The Federal Office of Topography swisstopo has a rich and successful history. Since its founding in 1838, it has not only helped to shape Switzerland's development, but has also documented it with maps and photographs. In this section, you will find further information about the history of swisstopo and get insights into its historical collections.
History of swisstopo	The Federal Office of Topography swisstopo was founded in 1838 by Guillaume Henri Dufour in Carouge (Geneva) and was originally called “Bureau topographique fédéral”. It began publishing the first official set of national maps in 1845. Today, swisstopo is integrated into the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS), and performs tasks for both the military and the private sectors. It is the country’s competence centre for official geodata.
Historical images	swisstopo’s image collection is a unique cultural treasure that encompasses approximately half a million aerial and terrestrial images as well as photos documenting the activities of the Federal Office. The images of the landscapes from the 1920s through to the present day are used for a wide range of purposes. Over the next few years, a special plan is to be implemented to ensure that the valuable originals are carefully preserved and easily accessible.

Themes	Description

Themes	Description
Job vacancies	Are you interested in a new career challenge? In swisstopo you will find the ideal conditions for your personal and professional development. Bring us your ideas and contribute actively to the swisstopo of today and tomorrow.

Themes	Description
KML generation	With swisstopo’s KML generation geoservice you can convert a file with Swiss national coordinates or GPS data into a KML file.

Themes	Description
Laser scanning	With terrestrial and aerial laser scanning, millions of points are produced in order to survey a given surface.
Levelling	Levelling is the classical and simplest method of determining heights. Find out more here.
LV95	LV95 is the local reference frame of the Swiss national survey. It is based on the CHTRS95 and CH1903+ reference systems.
LiDAR Data	swisstopo is planning another LiDAR survey of Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein as the campaign launched in 2017 will come to an end in 2024. Airborne laser scanning is one of the most effective methods for measuring territory in 3D. It provides valuable, high-quality data in terms of both detail and accuracy. As the basis for digital terrain models, these data also contribute to other products and are used by many applications.
Legal bases and jurisdiction	Swisstopo is the federal authority responsible for the national border. International treaties and agreements with neighbouring countries form the basis for this task.
Long-term availability of geodata	Thanks to long-term availability, swisstopo is able to retain early geodata and provide current data at a high level of quality, as well as to offer professional advisory services where required.
Long-term conservation	swisstopo is required to guarantee the availability of its official geodata by the Federal Geoinformation Act. Conservation ensures that the geodata remain usable over the long term. Availability is assured through long-term conservation and archiving.
Landscape memory	swisstopo has been documenting Switzerland’s topographic development for around 175 years. Preserving various geodata and making them available in the form of time series has resulted in a landscape memory of Switzerland that traces all the changes and developments over a lengthy period of time.

Themes	Description
Mineral raw materials	Mineral raw materials such as gravel, sand, limestone and clay are widely used in the construction industry and are largely mined in Switzerland. However, Switzerland also imports many raw materials, especially energy raw materials and metals, including the special metals and rare earths that are important for the energy transition.
Map reading	Useful aids that make map reading easy. The leaflets "Map reading" and "Conventional signs" offer interesting facts for national map users and lessons.
Map production	The steps involved in map production are surveying, aerial photography, evaluation, recording of landscape objects in the database and digital cartography.
Map viewer map.geo.admin.ch	Discover swisstopo maps and geodata on your screen. Measure distances and areas, compare current and historical aerial photographs or add a drawing.
Material sales	Here you will find special field and boundary marking materials used by swisstopo. You can order special materials, markers. bolts, etc, by phone or e-mail.

Themes	Description
National border	The external boundary of Switzerland's sovereign territory is designated as its national border, which is specified in cooperation with its neighbouring countries.
Newsletter	Stay up to date and receive regular information on new products, upcoming events and geodata updates as well as other news from the Federal Office of Topography swisstopo.
Notification of an amendment	Have you noticed any changes in the area that still need to be reflected in our products? Or have you discovered an error in a map or a set of geodata? If so, please let us know.
News about geodata	In this section you will find information about updates and news concerning swisstopo's geodata.

Themes	Description
Open Government Data OGD	swisstopo provides its official data and products online, free of charge and for open access use. This step is being taken within the framework of the Open Government Data (OGD) Strategy.
Official street directory	The official street directory lists all streets in Switzerland, including their names, that are used for the registration of addresses.
Official geographic directories	Here you will find the official directories of towns and cities, streets and building addresses in Switzerland. The data are public and available free of charge.

Themes	Description
Photogrammetry	Photogrammetry is a method for obtaining images of a specific terrain by photographing it from above with a digital surveying camera.
PLR Cadastre	In Switzerland, official restrictions on landownership are organised in the information system of the PLR Cadastre.
Publications see Documents	Annual reports, magazines, flyers, brochures and printed newsletters of the Federal Office of Topography swisstopo.
Panoramas	Should you need to print a digital panorama with a realistic perspective on paper or on a metallic support, the DIGIRAMA (DIGItal panoRAMA) range of products is ideal for you. Depending on customers’ needs, various representations involving different levels of automation are possible. The range of specifications for these custom products allows for everything from a simple and cost effective solution for quick panoramic overviews to high quality solutions for panoramic plaques.

Themes	Description

Themes	Description
Reference system as basis for coordinates	Coordinates are specified on the basis of a reference system which defines the measurement units, point of origin and position of the coordinates system.
Reference frame: making the reference system comprehensible	Hundreds of surveying control points are specified as coordinates, which form the reference frame for all surveys carried out in Switzerland.
Resources	Mineral raw materials such as gravel, sand, limestone and clay are widely used in the construction industry and are largely mined in Switzerland. However, Switzerland also imports many raw materials, especially energy raw materials and metals, including the special metals and rare earths that are important for the energy transition.
Revocation of contract	Information on the right of revocation for purchase contracts with swisstopo.
REFRAME	With REFRAME you can convert coordinates to position and/or height. Here you can use the REFRAME service online.

Themes	Description
Swiss reference systems	Switzerland has both a global (CHTRS95) and a local (CH1903+) reference system. These were defined together with the 1995 national survey (LV95).
Sovereign borders	Swiss sovereign borders and boundaries are classified in three different categories: national borders, cantonal boundaries and municipal boundaries. Find out more here.
Swiss Geological Survey	The Swiss Geological Survey at swisstopo is the federal competence centre for the collection, analysis, storage and provision of geological data. It prepares the decision-making bases for shaping our living space and requires an appreciation for our landscape.
swisstopo: facts and figures	Find out about swisstopo, its map production, number of employees and other facts and figures relating to its wide-ranging activities.
Social media	Communication with our customers and partners is very important to us. This is why we have a social media presence, posting news, the latest photos and videos and providing fascinating insights into what we do. Find out more about swisstopo and get in touch. We want to know what you think!
Surveying	swisstopo’s services in fields such as geo-surveying and geodetic measurement are publicly available. Here you will find an overview.
Satellite images	Through the National Point of Contact for Satellite Images (NPOC), customers can purchase high-quality satellite images from around the world. On customer’s demand, the NPOC obtains new images or provides suitable products from existing archives. During the entire processing of the order, specialists are at the disposal of the customer to give advice.

Themes	Description
Trigonometric point determination	In the national survey using trigonometry, survey points are determined from the ground and calculated in accordance with the rules of trigonometry.
The digital border	Today, geographic information systems are used for managing and documenting the national border. Find out more about the digitalisation of the national border.
Topographic Landscape Model	The topographic landscape model is the central instrument for the production of national geodata. It contains objects that shape the landscape, e.g. buildings, roads and bodies of water. These data are recorded, processed, managed and kept up to date by swisstopo, with a high degree of accuracy and in three-dimensional form, and are subsequently placed at the disposal of the various users. The topographic landscape model forms the basis not only for the production of the national maps, but also for a broad range of spatially-related applications.
Time series	The term “time series” refers to a chronologically arranged set of geodata. Time series exist for practically all swisstopo geodata and products that are stored and made available to users.
Training and further education	swisstopo offers around 30 apprenticeships, a traineeship for sports students and 10 to 15 places for university internships. In addition, the Federal Office of Topography regularly promotes master's theses with swisstopo-relevant questions as part of the swisstopoEDU programme.
Transportation network CH	The national geodata infrastructure for efficient and networked mobility. The Swiss Transport Network optimises and expands on public sector transport infrastructure data, provides reliable basic data and makes transport infrastructure and mobility data combinable and generally usable.

Themes	Description

Themes	Description
Virtual Reality	Initially a hype for enthusiasts, Virtual Reality (VR) becomes an experience for everyone. By means of eight selected scenes from Switzerland, the swisstopo VR App shows the potential of the swisstopo 3D geospatial data for Virtual Reality applications.
View swisstopo maps and geodata online	Get more out of swisstopo's geodata. Draw routes, measure distances and compare national maps and aerial photographs. Practical tools help you to view, evaluate or discover the wide range of data. On the road, on your smartphone or at home on your PC.

Themes	Description

Themes	Description

Themes	Description

Themes	Description
Zimmerwald geostation	Zimmerwald geostation contains precise station coordinates, and functions as the fundamental station and most important reference point for the national survey.

Themes	Description
3D geology	3D geological models depict a simplified version of the underground. The 3D geological models developed by swisstopo make a major contribution towards the regulation of conflicts relating to the utilisation of the underground.
3D printout	Various printing processes enable the creation of spatial physical models using 3D printers. With that, we can transform digital geodata into an analogue 3D model.
3D-Viewer	Fly over the Alps, take a leisurely stroll down the Bahnhofstrasse in Zurich or check out the steep passages for your next hike. Thanks to the 3D mode in the Swiss federal map viewer, you can explore a free, online, three-dimensional, digital model of Switzerland. It contains every building and numerous other objects too.
3D flights	With 3D flights, three-dimensional data can be viewed dynamically, by superimposing topographic models with satellite or aerial images, vector data or other geo-referenced data. The visualisation takes place along a flight line. Each 3D flight is produced individually according to customer requirements and can therefore meet a broad variety of criteria. 3D flights are an ideal way of presenting spatial projects in a dynamic, appealing and easy-to-understand way. Their use is suited for depicting infrastructure, ecological and other projects.
3D: customised visualisations and geodata	In addition to the official products, swisstopo offers the creation of individualised 3D visualisations and geodata as a service. Customer-specific results that are suitable for a defined area of interest can be created on request from various source data.

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Augmented Reality (AR)

Geodata and Augmented Reality (AR) are ideally suited! AR transforms invisible geodata into visible information and allows virtual 3D models to be experienced anew in the real environment. swisstopo geodata products and services provide an optimal basis for AR applications.

Extending reality with geodata

As the name "augmented reality" suggests, AR overlays reality with digital objects and information. Geodata contains spatial information that is often not visible in the real world. AR makes this visible on-site by adding, for example, borders, hiking trails, underground structures, lake depths or geographical names. AR also offers interesting visualisation experiences for the presentation of 3D models. Virtual 3D models can be placed on a table using standard mobile devices and experienced interactively with other people.

Gaining information through AR

AR combines reality with real-time digital information. This accessible source of information provides answers to spatially related questions and facilitates an assessment of the situation in many areas: stakeholders jointly evaluate construction projects in a room using a modelled 3D environment, hikers can identify the continued course of a hiking trail at a glance directly on the terrain through their smartphone and construction site personnel can use a tablet or AR glasses to determine the whereabouts of existing underground installations in real time. The application spectrum of AR with geodata is immense.

Geodata and services from swisstopo for AR

swisstopo offers various geodata products and geoservices that are suitable for the development of interesting AR applications. In the online shop, you can find the officially orderable products along with descriptions and sample data. The wide range of products includes landscape and elevation models, aerial and ortho images, geological data and map products in various forms and at different time periods. The GeoAdmin services are documented in detail in a separate user environment.

In addition to the offers in the online shop, swisstopo has prepared two of its products especially for AR based on additional 3D formats. This makes the data easier to use for AR developments.

3D buildings as OBJ

The swissBUILDINGS^3D 2.0 product includes all buildings in Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein as 3D models. With the OBJ format extension, the AR community can benefit even more from this unique data set. The geometries are grouped by object as well as by type (roof and shell) and coloured separately.

swissBUILDINGS^3D 2.0

Terrain as FBX

The terrain represents the surface of the earth without vegetation and buildings. So far, elevation models, such as the swissALTI^3D product, have mostly been used as raster data sets. Now the terrain is available as a 3D mesh in FBX format at different generalisation levels. This enables a wider and easier use in various development environments.

Technical information

You can order the two new data sets by email to geodata@swisstopo.ch. Sample data for testing is available at the end of this website.

swisstopo geodata used for AR

Various AR applications contain geodata from swisstopo. The following picture gallery shows some examples. Let yourself be inspired!

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AR Showcases

In collaboration with swisstopo, external partners have developed three AR showcases. With these concrete applications, swisstopo wants to make its geodata visible in AR applications on the one hand and subject it to practical testing in order to gain new insight on the other. Below we present three showcases (see also picture gallery above).

Presentation of building projects | afca. ag

AR showcase: presentation building project

Construction projects often involve different players from the public and private sectors and the neighbourhood. AR technology can help to make construction projects easier to understand and accessible to all. In the implemented showcase, a planned construction project can be embedded in a three-dimensional environmental model from swisstopo. The virtual 3D model showing the new project can be shared with other stakeholders. Using the AR function, they can place the received model in the room and use it as a basis for discussion. The showcase is based on web technologies and can be used on Android devices without any installation.

Discovering underground | GiGa infosystems GmbH

Geological models describe the events below the earth's surface. Only now and then are parts of them visible at the surface. The view down into these depths is all the more exciting. The application shows different geological layers which can be arranged as desired. By placing the models and linking several smartphones, all those involved can see the same 3D information on-site, no matter the perspective from which they view the 3D model. A virtual pointer ensures that discussions are held on the same object or the same section.

AR Glasses HoloLens | V-Labs SA

Our environment is peppered with spatial information and objects that are often only partially or not at all visible. For example, administrative borders or underground utility lines remain largely hidden from us. Additional information on objects can also usually only be found and assigned in roundabout ways. With HoloLens 2, AR glasses from Microsoft, geodata can be overlaid with additional information at the correct position. In combination with the swipos positioning service from swisstopo, the accuracy is improved. This makes it possible to locate border points, mark out the course of utility lines or view a planned object in its real environment.

Application areas for AR projects with geodata

AR is trendy and will be increasingly used in many fields over the coming years. Rapid technical development, ease of use on a smartphone or tablet, the wide range of applications and the special AR experience hold great potential, including for the visualisation and integration of geodata. AR is used in combination with geodata in a wide variety of areas:

Show potential application areas

Spatial and local planning
Urban, neighbourhood and area planning
Architecture and engineering
Mobility
Energy
Natural hazards
Geology / Raw materials / Geothermal energy
Tourism / Leisure
Location Marketing
Gaming Industry

Show some implementation ideas

Show municipal boundaries
Show hiking trails with hiking time
Object search (peaks, places, bodies of water)
Calculate and superimpose lake depths
Show utilities register
Simulate natural hazards
Embed building projects in the environment

Documents

geodata-news 45 (in German and French)
PDF, 4 page(s), 3 MB, German

Sample data

Sample data: 3D buildings as OBJ

3D buildings OBJ

Sample data: Terrain as FBX

Terrain FBX

The sample data show their type and format. They are free of charge and may be used for test purposes only. It is not permitted to include them in a product.