Hybrid digital elevation model production guided by 3D-primitives: a global optimization algorithm using graph cuts

This research work is a part of a global project related to urban scene modeling from high resolution satellite images with focus on building production. The input data consist of a panchromatic stereo pair of satellite images, with a submetric resolution of 45-70 cm and a low base to height ratio B/H [0.05 - 0.2]. Data are provided by CNES. Since a detailed extraction and description of building rooves is complex in a satellital context, we propose to describe the scene by means of a 3D-surface which provides either raster or vector information using different level description. From extracted primitives and raw correlation information, an hybrid 3D surface will be obtained by an energy minimization process via graph cuts. The main contribution of our approach is the use of 3D-primitives such as 3D-segments and 3D-facets as well as the introduction of information from external database to guide the optimization process. The obtained product is an hybrid DEM (digital elevation model) which provides the highest level of reliable primitives for each scene region.