Visualization of Features in 3D Terrain

Abstract

Abstract:In 3D terrain analysis, topographical characteristics, such as mountains or valleys, and geo-spatial data characteristics, such as specific weather conditions or objects of interest, are important features. Visual representations of these features are essential in many application fields, e.g., aviation, meteorology, or geo-science. However, creating suitable representations is challenging. On the one hand, conveying the topography of terrain models is difficult, due to data complexity and computational costs. On the other hand, depicting further geo-spatial data increases the intricacy of the image and can lead to visual clutter. Moreover, perceptional issues within the 3D presentation, such as distance recognition, play a significant role as well. In this paper, we address the question of how features in the terrain can be visualized appropriately. We discuss various design options to facilitate the awareness of global and local features; that is, the coarse spatial distribution of characteristics and the fine-granular details. To improve spatial perception of the 3D environment, we propose suitable depth cues. Finally, we demonstrate the feasibility of our approach by a sophisticated framework called TEDAVIS that unifies the proposed concepts and facilitates designing visual terrain representations tailored to user requirements.

Design of three-dimensional cartographical didactic materials for Physical Geography teaching

“…The students who learn with GE improve their abilities to read the topographic map, as well as to assimilate concepts of geomorphology (Hsu et al, 2017). In fact, the application of 3D geovisualization techniques has become a priority objective of researchers for scientific, educational and outreach purposes (Dübel & Schumann, 2017). On the other hand, generating photorealistic 3D images could be an extraordinary recourse to explain a particular landform, the configuration and evolution of the relief or landscape or to acquire mapping skills (Hsu et al, 2017).…”

“…Usually, when using GIS programs with visualization purposes, the most common solution is to apply a transparency to the thematic variable that overlaps the DEM. However, in this work we propose to use alternatively the lighting and rendering techniques to generate photo-realistic 3D images (Dübel & Schumann, 2017).…”

“…Also, the development of the GIT has provided automatic and more sophisticated methods for the graphic representation of the terrain, which allows to get a more realistic 3D geo-visualization. Moreover, it is also possible to drape various thematic layers to the DEM and apply different rendering techniques to obtain photorealistic scenes (Priestnall, 2009;Dübel & Schumann, 2017). Since the emergence of Google Earth (GE) at the beginning of the 21st century, this tool has been one of the most used in the teaching of geography and geology (Patterson, 2007;Sanchez, 2009, Demirci et al, 2013Hsu et al, 2017).…”

Leading Progress in Digital Terrain Analysis and Modeling

“…Related to texture and scale, the problem of visualizing 3D data correctly is analyzed by [29]. DTA applications all require visualizing the relationship between terrain and objects located in geographic space.…”

“…Conveying the details of terrain models is difficult, due to the complexity of the data under analysis, and computational restraints. To add challenges, representing spatial data at multiple scales within the same scene increases the complexity of the resulting images, and produces cluttered outputs, [29] provide an approach to demonstrate how features in the terrain can be visualized appropriately. They offer a concept to effectively communicate local and global features of 3D terrain and geo-spatial data, and they illustrate a software framework that enables real-time rendering and design of sophisticated terrain visualizations.…”