CREATING IMPROVED 3D MODELS FROM 2D DATA

Techniques for displaying underground assets using a portable electronic device. A camera image of a ground having a ground surface may be captured. A placement of a virtual pit in the camera image may be determined. A pit view comprising the virtual pit and a virtual representation of an underground asset, and a superimposed image comprising the camera image and the pit view may be generated. A top opening of the virtual pit may align with the ground surface in the camera image. A portion of the virtual representation of the underground asset may be shown inside the virtual pit and below the top opening of the virtual pit such that a distance between the top opening and the portion of the virtual representation of the underground asset inside the virtual pit may provide a visual indication of a depth of the underground asset relative to the ground surface.