Using aeronautical databases in DAFIF and Jeppesen format, the Airport Builder first allows users to quickly create the runways and lighting patterns around them. Once these are put in place, their surrounding environment can be quickly enhanced by importing satellite imagery and elevation data for the surrounding areas. In cases where the satellite imagery is not an exact match to the actual runway position, the runway can be quickly be re-positioned or even manipulated as a vectoral element to line up more precisely with the underlying terrain imaging.
In addition to creating runways, the Airport Builder contains a large variety of tools to build other airport elements such as taxiways, holding pattern markings, buildings, forest areas and roads. Just like the runways, all of these elements are vector-based components that can be manipulated in the editor to get the right positioning. Also, all elements give the users access to a large number of customizable properties and textures to get the right visual appearance. It is even possible for users to create their own customized presets for all elements so that customization does not have to be done every time.
Once the creation of an airport is completed, the resulting airport can be saved in a compiled form using the OpenFlight format. Alternatively, shape files can be generated to represent the vectoral culture data that was modeled in the tool. Finally, Creator can further break up the GIS data from the resulting airport to produce information that will be used as input to Terra Vista. Creator 4.0 is already available for download to customers with access to the Presagis Support Site.
