matthew-buglass / bathymetric_mapping

Combining real-world data collection and digital modeling tools to create 3-Dimensional maps of underwater structures.

3 Dimensional Bathymetric Mapping Software

Bathymetry is the mapping of underwater structures and is very important for monitoring bodies of water. Generally, bathymetric maps are represented on a single plane as a series of circles marking areas of equivalent depth. National Geographic

However, using 3D modelling software and 3D printing, we can create a more immersive representation. Using optical character recognition, GPS, and the depth readout from a sonic fish finder, we can create a series of 3-dimensional coordinates representing a dispersed point map of underwater structures. Using graph algorithms, that point map can be fed into a free modelling software called Blender using its scripting functionalities to join the point map into faces and 3D geometry.

That 3D model can be scaled, edited, and printed in a 3D printer to create ultra-accurate physical models of underwater structures.

Current Stable Functionalities and Completed Milestones

• Re-wiring of fish finder power supply to quick clip into weatherproof connectors for both 120V wall outlet or a Marine boat battery
• Storage and serialization of data points
• Transformation of data points into a wireframe mesh in Blender
• Completed code to estimate the square area of a body of water from a Google Maps image

In Progress Functionalities and Milestones

• Fine-tuning Optical Character Recognition pipeline to accurately pull depth readings off of a fish finder screen
• Designing camera mount and plate to keep a webcam consistently placed in from of the fish finder screen while in the field

Future Functionalities and Milestones

• 3D print the camera mount that will be held between the fish finder base and the boat seat that it is mounted to
• Purchase a RaspberryPi 4 and an Adafruit GPS module to run data collection in the field

bathymetric_mapping's Issues

Add ENV variable

Change all absolute pathing references to be environment variables