The TIN (Triangular Irregular Network) describes the earth’s surface by means of a network of triangles. These triangles represent a simplification of the surface of the area displayed by the laserscanner point cloud or the raster elevation model in vector form. Homogenous areas (constant gradient of the area) are described in an approximated way by few large-surface triangles and undulating areas by many small triangles.
The high data density of the TopoSys elevation models can prove to be a problem for reprocessing and analysis of data. In the area of water supply, for example, fewer elevation points are required in flat areas, whereas the high density of the measured values must be maintained for break lines, dikes, precipices, etc. The TIN enables the data density to be structured variably according to the undulation of the terrain. The deviations from the real surface (can be specified) are minimal with simultaneous extreme reduction of the original data quantity. A reduction to 2-5% of the original data quantity is standard.