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Track: New Technology & Systems Integration
Edward Quinn
Lockheed Martin Tactical Defense Systems
1201 Massillon Road
Akron, OH 44315
Telephone: 330-796-3387
Fax: 330-796-4050
E-mail: edward.quinn@lmco.com
Shawn Owens
3D GIS Visualization: Overcoming the Real-Time Barrier
Geographic information system data and products have become a powerful resource, which is being utilized at all levels within our society. While this circumstance brings with it great opportunities, it also presents very significant problems in effectively communicating information, particularly to non-GIS professionals. Current GIS technology provides a variety of mechanisms for visual communication. Most of these reflect the heritage of the limitations of two-dimensional media for expression. However, the human visual system inherently is capable of using a variety of perceptual cues to extract information within a full three-dimensional environment. Unfortunately, the availability of hardware and software to support this kind of powerful visualization has not existed until very recently. The potential of the use of real-time visualization extends beyond simple communication. By viewing GIS data in new unconventional ways, new modes of analysis and exploration are enabled. This can provide a capability to
enhance the use of existing GIS data as well as provide a motivation for extensions to GIS data models themselves. This paper delineates an approach taken in our organization to provide the following capabilities for real-time three-dimensional visualization of GIS data: - Layered Tools: These tools are built on the capabilities of GIS software to build efficient GIS database layers that contain the proper information content for effective three dimensional visualization. - Extensions: These software components provide extended modeling capability for three-dimensional entities. - Interface: This component allows the development of a real-time database interface for implementation on very high performance visualization hardware.
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