Generating a multi-layered geographic image and the use thereof

A computer-readable medium including computer-executable instructions for performing a method of creating a two-dimensional graphical multi-layered image from a three-dimensional model of a geographic area, the method comprising:

• receiving three-dimensional graphical object data that represents a geographic area, the three-dimensional graphical object including multiple geographic features;
• rendering a first two-dimensional graphical layer of a first geographic feature of the three-dimensional graphical object as a first independent image layer, the rendering of the first independent image layer is based on a specific perspective view of the three-dimensional graphical object;
• rendering a second two-dimensional graphical layer of a second geographic feature of the three-dimensional graphical object as a second independent image layer, the rendering of the second independent image layer is based on the specific perspective view;
• and
• combining the first independent image layer and the second independent image layer as a function of the rendering to create the two-dimensional graphical multi-layered image,
• wherein the order of rendering the first independent image layer and the second independent image layer is based on a priority sequence in which removal of layers occurs in a reverse order of their creation and avoids causing gaps within the other layers not removed,
• and wherein the two-dimensional graphical multi-layered image is displayed as a navigation feature.

A graphical multi-layered image displayed on a navigation user interface, the graphical multi-layered image generated from a method of creating a multi-layered image from a three-dimensional model of a geographic area, the method comprising:

• receiving three-dimensional graphical object data that represents a geographic area, the three-dimensional graphical object including multiple geographic features;
• rendering a first graphical layer of a first geographic feature of the three-dimensional graphical object as a first independent image layer;
• rendering a second graphical layer of a second geographic feature of the three-dimensional graphical object as a second independent image layer;
• and
• overlaying the first graphical layer and the second graphical layer to form the graphical multi-layered image,
• wherein removal of a layer avoids causing a hole in any other layer.

A method of creating a graphical multi-layered image from a three-dimensional model of a geographic area to enhance a navigation database, the method comprising:

• receiving three-dimensional graphical object data that represents a geographic area, the three-dimensional graphical object including multiple geographic features;
• rendering a first graphical layer of a first geographic feature of the three-dimensional graphical object as a first independent image layer;
• assigning a first priority attribute to the first independent image layer;
• rendering a second graphical layer of a second geographic feature of the three-dimensional graphical object as a second independent image layer;
• assigning a second priority attribute to the second independent image layer;
• and
• combining the first independent image layer and the second independent image layer to form the graphical multi-layered image, wherein combining includes ordering the first independent image layer and the second independent image layer based on the first and second priority attributes.