Procedural Point Cloud and Mesh Editing for Urban Planning Using Blender

Gorazd Gorup, Žiga Lesar, Matija Marolt and Ciril Bohak ()
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Gorazd Gorup: Faculty of Computer and Information Science, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Žiga Lesar: Faculty of Computer and Information Science, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Matija Marolt: Faculty of Computer and Information Science, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Ciril Bohak: Faculty of Computer and Information Science, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 4, 1-21

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.

Keywords: procedural modeling; point cloud processing; computational design; open-source GIS; parametric urban design (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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