Virtual Reality as an Interface for 3D-GIS Rick Germs, Gert van Maren, Edward Verbree & Erik Jansen Department of Information Technology & Systems Department of Civil Engineering & Geosciences Delft University of Technology ASCI’99 Conference, June 15-17, Heijen, The Netherlands
3D-GIS & Virtual Reality Project LWI-funded project developers: –Delft University of Technology –CrossWorlds, TNO-FEL, SARA end-users: –Holland Railconsult –Rijkswaterstaat
3D-GIS & Virtual Reality Project Goal: “To enable (infrastructure) designers to interactively visualise, manipulate and analyse (changes in) the landscape and the urban environment with 3D GIS & VR.”
Overview Geographic Information Systems Virtual Reality Planning process Views Implementation Future Research
Geographic Information Systems Spatial data: –geometric (points, lines, polygons) more and more 3D GIS and CAD information –thematic (name/address, type, statistics) more and more data from analysis and simulation Spatial analysis: –Network analysis (finding routes) –Spatial queries (finding nearest objects)
Virtual Reality ResponsiveWorkbench Desktop VR CAVE
Planning Process Infrastructure Design:
Plan View 2D symbolic visualisation Simple GIS functions VR `map’ tool: –Orientation –Navigation
Model View 3D symbolic visualisation Modelling –arrangement of objects –geographic constraints Virtual Workbench
World View 3D “realistic” visualisation Presentation –non-experts immersive VR: –CAVE –ImmersaDesk
Implementation “Karma” Components: –VR: WorldToolKit –GIS: Spatial Database Engine Platforms: –PC –SGI, CAVE, Responsive Workbench
Current Status 2-way coupling VR and 3D GIS realized. Manipulation of GIS objects –rotate, translate, delete GIS analysis –query, spatial query, identify End-users will test the system in real-life applications
Future Research Performance –dynamic loading –level of detail (GIS and 3D models) Modelling –geographic constraints –data enrichment Linking existing datasources –visualising analysis calculations
Delft in the year