Visualisation techniques to support public interpretation of future climate change and land-use choices: a case study from N-E Scotland

Mitigating and adapting to climate change includes a requirement to evaluate the role of future land uses in delivering robust integrated responses that are sensitive to local landscape contexts. In practice, this emphasises the need for community engagement, planning and inclusive decision-making. Community engagement may be potentially facilitated by the use of spatially explicit quantitative scenarios of land-use change in combination with interactive visualisation. This requires a coherent framework to integrate spatial data modelling, analytical capabilities and visualisation tools in a format that will also engage diverse public audiences. These challenges were explored with a case study of virtual landscapes from N-E Scotland that was used to test preferences for scenarios of future land use. Visualisations employed texture-based rendering rather than full photo-realistic rendering to facilitate interactivity and this provided additional scope for audiences to explore multiple future scenarios compared to the present landscape. Interactive voting in a virtual landscape theatre suggested preferences for visual diversity, good stewardship and perceived naturalness that should be considered in developing planned responses to change. Further investigation of preferences was conducted using interactive 3D features located within the landscape. Study findings are reviewed against objectives for inclusive engagement in the Digital Earth agenda and used to make further recommendations on the use of scenarios and visualisation tools. In particular, technical advances in user engagement need to be developed in conjunction with emerging good practice that addresses ethical, behavioural and inclusion issues so that the content is presented in as transparent and unbiased format as possible.     

基于ArcIMS的数字校园景观系统的设计

针对数字校园中的三维景观系统的设计和开发进行了研究,实现了校园三维景观模型的网络发布;介绍了系统的架构设计,数据库设计,数据采集方法以及系统的功能设计与开发方法。     

Graphics processing unit-based dynamic volume rendering for typhoons on a virtual globe

Typhoons are usually accompanied by strong winds, heavy rain, storm surges and other disastrous events, and they are the most severe weather phenomena in the western part of the North Pacific Ocean. Visualisation is a key technology for analysing and presenting climate simulations and observations together with related social and ecological data. Virtual globes are a logical platform for visualising such geospatial data via the Internet. To implement interactive visualisation of typhoon data within virtual globes, this study provides a 3D texture-mapping algorithm to render volume textures on a globe. In addition, a systematic framework is proposed in which a hierarchical octree-based multiresolution data structure is implemented to organise the large volume dataset, and a graphics processing unit-based dynamic interpolation approach is proposed to obtain a smooth effect. Finally, the structure is combined with a level of detail strategy to enable the rendering of dynamic volumetric data at an acceptable interactive frame rate. To demonstrate the capabilities of this framework, data for a simulated typhoon event were rendered in World Wind, an open-source virtual globe. The experimental results demonstrate that the application of the proposed strategies can result in an interactive visualisation performance that renders typhoon data on virtual globes.     

数码城市:概念、技术支撑和典型应用

首次系统全面地介绍了有关数码城市 (CyberCity)的概念、技术支撑和典型应用 ,并结合CCGIS软件的研究开发及其在深圳和上海两个城市的示范应用 ,讨论了建设数码城市所面临的若干关键技术问题     

基于互联网的地理信息系统

讨论了基于互联网的地理信息系统的技术构成与解决方案 ,它将成为GIS发展的大势所趋     

Reality-based generation of virtual environments for digital earth

Abstract

Digital Earth essentially consists of 3D and moreD models and attached semantic information (attributes). Techniques for generating such models efficiently are required very urgently. Reality-based 3D modelling using images as prime data source plays an important role in this context. Images contain a wealth of information that can be advantageously used for model generation. Images are increasingly available from satellite, aerial and terrestrial platforms. This contribution briefly describes some of the problems which we encounter if the process of model generation is to be automatised. With the help of some examples from Digital Terrain Model generation, Cultural Heritage and 3D city modelling we show briefly what can be achieved. Special attention is directed towards the use of model helicopters for image data acquisition. Some problems with interactive visualisation are discussed. Also, issues surrounding R&D, professional practice and education are also addressed.     

Eye-tracking Study on Different Perception of 2D and 3D Terrain Visualisation

Abstract

The use of computer-generated perspective views, often named as three-dimensional (3D) maps, is growing. These terrain visualisations should be more understandable for users without cartographic education, which are not familiar with contour lines. Within the study, two eye-tracking experiments and online questionnaire were used for investigating the difference between user cognition of classical two-dimensional (2D) visualisation with contour lines and perspective 3D view. Questionnaire was focused on maps understandability, suitability and aesthetics. Results of the questionnaire shows, that the majority of participants prefer 3D visualisation. First eye-tracking experiment was designed as a pair of maps in one stimulus. One shows 2D visualisation, the other 3D visualisation. No significant differences between user preferences of 2D and 3D visualisation were found, but the results were influenced with the order of the maps in the stimuli. Because of that another experiment was designed. In this case stimuli contained only one of two possible visualisations (2D and 3D). ScanPath comparison of this experiment results confirmed that users have different strategies for cognition of 2D and 3D visualisation, although statistically significant difference between both types of visualisation was found in the ScanPath length metric only.     

Rating crowdsourced annotations: evaluating contributions of variable quality and completeness

Crowdsourcing has become a popular means to acquire data about the Earth and its environment inexpensively, but the data-sets obtained are typically imperfect and of unknown quality. Two common imperfections with crowdsourced data are the contributions from cheats or spammers and missing cases. The effect of the latter two imperfections on a method to evaluate the accuracy of crowdsourced data via a latent class model was explored. Using simulated and real data-sets, it was shown that the method is able to derive useful information on the accuracy of crowdsourced data even when the degree of imperfection was very high. The practical potential of this ability to obtain accuracy information within the geospatial sciences and the realm of Digital Earth applications was indicated with reference to an evaluation of building damage maps produced by multiple bodies after the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. Critically, the method allowed data-sets to be ranked in approximately the correct order of accuracy and this could help ensure that the most appropriate data-sets are used.     

数字地球网格计算雏议

数字地球将为人类提供关于我们地球的海量自然和人文数据与信息 ,是我们生活的行星的一个多分辨率 ,四维虚拟表达。网格计算被认为是解决数字地球问题的最好方法。数字地球问题的解决必须通过异构的计算资源 ,信息系统 ,设备 ,人之间的相互协作 ,而这些都是地理位置或组织结构分散的。本文介绍我们在生成用于解决数字地球问题的核心中间件的研究工作以及结果。因为网格计算本身是一门比较新的领域 ,网格计算与数字地球的有机结合将为数字地球提供一个全新的计算工具     

A multiple representation data structure for dynamic visualisation of generalised 3D city models

In this paper, a novel multiple representation data structure for dynamic visualisation of 3D city models, called CityTree, is proposed. To create a CityTree, the ground plans of the buildings are generated and simplified. Then, the buildings are divided into clusters by the road network and one CityTree is created for each cluster. The leaf nodes of the CityTree represent the original 3D objects of each building, and the intermediate nodes represent groups of close buildings. By utilising CityTree, it is possible to have dynamic zoom functionality in real time. The CityTree methodology is implemented in a framework where the original city model is stored in CityGML and the CityTree is stored as X3D scenes. A case study confirms the applicability of the CityTree for dynamic visualisation of 3D city models.     

基于Web地理可视化分析系统的研究与设计

气候研究涉及海量时空数据集,其产生和存储在分布式计算资源中。科学家们需要一个直观且方便地工具去研究分布式时空数据。地理可视化分析工具可直观且方便地访问气候资料、探索各种气候参数之间的关系及交流研究成果。本文对基于Web的地理可视化分析系统的研究与设计做一些探讨,阐述该系统具有以下功能：①互联网上海量数据集管理;②时空数据的2D/3D可视化;③气候研究中各种时空统计分析;④交互式数据分析和知识发现。此外,本文也为管理、分发、分析大数据提供参考。     

基于Java3D的网络地理信息可视化

在分析WebGIS中地理信息可视化研究现状的基础上，详细介绍了Java3D开发库的基本开发机制，并讨论其关键技术与解决方案，成功实现了基于Java3D的网络地理信息Web浏览器。实验表明，通过Java3D建立数字球面，并利用Java3D空间数据模型表达地理信息模型，实现在数字球面上映射地理信息，是实现网络地理信息可视化的新途径和新思路。     

3D-Monitoring Big Geo Data on a seaport infrastructure based on FIWARE

Many organizations of all kinds are using new technologies to assist the acquisition and analysis of data. Seaports are a good example of this trend. Seaports generate data regarding the management of marine traffic and other elements, as well as environmental conditions given by meteorological sensors and buoys. However, this enormous amount of data, also known as Big Data, is useless without a proper system to organize, analyze and visualize it. SmartPort is an online platform for the visualization and management of a seaport data that has been built as a GIS application. This work offers a Rich Internet Application that allows the user to visualize and manage the different sources of information produced in a port environment. The Big Data management is based on the FIWARE platform, as well as “The Internet of Things” solutions for the data acquisition. At the same time, Glob3 Mobile (G3M) framework has been used for the development of map requirements. In this way, SmartPort supports 3D visualization of the ports scenery and its data sources.     

A novel approach for constructing a 3D model based on registering a mono image on a 3D model,applicable in Digital Earth

The effect of Digital Earth on our life is vital. Developing and updating Geospatial data in Digital Earth is also essential. This paper presents the application of a new approach of image registration in Digital Earth. The approach was developed based on registering a mono photograph on a master 3D model. The result is a 3D vector model, which can be broadly applied in visualisation, mapping, geographic information system (GIS), planning, change detection, as well as Digital Earth. The approach does not require parameters of correction for transformation. The accuracy of the output depends on the accuracy of the master data. This approach is very versatile and able to register any image on the digital elevation model, digital surface model and topographic 3D model.     

Web-based 4D visualization of marine geo-data using WebGL

For marine logistics and maintenance of extensive and expensive marine engineering projects in the coastal zone, it is essential that institutions provide the public with relevant information in an easily understandable yet comprehensive manner over the web. A perennial challenge, however, has been the development of spatio-temporal (four-dimensional (4D)) geo-visualization algorithms to enable the integration of time-varying geo-information in map-based visualizations on the Internet. In this paper, we address the challenge of visualizing marine spatial data in web-based applications through a 4D visualization concept, focusing on usability criteria, performance parameters, the required implementation effort, and delivering a breath of spatial information that supports decision-making on multiple levels. We used Web Graphic Library (WebGL) to validate our concept through a prototypical implementation. In our technology evaluation, WebGL proved highly suitable for the development of interactive, responsive, efficient, and mobile web-based Geographic Information applications, including 2D, 3D, and 4D (spatiotemporal) content. During our research, we identified a number of open research questions, including mapping graphic variables to thematic expressivity, representation of the time dimension in 4D systems, generic temporal generalization, and integration of (pseudo-)photorealistic illustrations in web-based geo-visualization systems.     

异构地理信息处理环境互操作的Internet GIS方法

提出了异构地理信息处理环境互操作的Ｉｎｔｅｒｎｅｔ ＧＩＳ方法和基于互操作性的Ｉｎｔｅｒｎｅｔ ＧＩＳ构造模型,即分布式超图模型,阐述了其具体实现过程,并以自主开发的Ｉｎｔｅｒｎｅｔ ＧＩＳＧｅｏＳｕｒｆ为例验证了此方法。     

Providing scientific visualization for spatial data analysis: Criteria and an assessment of SAGE

A consistent theme in recent work on developing exploratory spatial data analysis (ESDA) has been the importance attached to visualization techniques, particularly following the pioneering development of packages such as SPIDER and REGARD (Haslett et al. 1990).  The focus on visual techniques is often justified in two ways: (a) the power of modern graphical interfaces means that graphics is no longer a way of simply presenting results in the form of maps or graphs, but a tool for the extraction of information from data; (b) graphical, exploratory methods are felt to be more intuitive for non-specialists to use than methods of numerical spatial statistics enabling wider participation in the process of getting data insights. However, little work has been done to decide which visualization tools might be needed to support ESDA, or how they can be most effectively implemented.  This paper briefly reviews a theoretical framework that has been suggested for addressing these issues, which comprises two elements: firstly a data model, based on the distinction between rough and smooth properties of spatial data, that defines what an analyst is looking for in data (Haining et al. 1998) and secondly a theoretical model for assessing the quality of visualisation tools (Cleveland 1994). The emphasis of this paper is the use of the theoretical framework to structure an assessment of SAGE, a software system that has been written for the spatial statistical analysis (including both exploratory and confirmatory data analysis) of area based data linked to a GIS. The aim of the assessment is to identify the desirable features of the system (that might be employed in other systems) whilst also highlighting what the additional requirements are thereby contributing to the development of systems for ESDA that contain good quality scientific visualization tools for exploratory spatial data analysis. Received: 30 September 1998/Accepted: 17 September 1999     

Construction of a virtual lunar environment platform

Abstract

Many of the world's powerful and wealthy nations, including China, have devoted both large amounts of funding and considerable promotion to lunar research and exploration. The launch of Chinese Chang'e-1 satellite and the construction of the scientific observation data platform created a favourable opportunity for research into the lunar geometrical, physical and chemical environment. Based on this background, a Wide Area Network (WAN) based virtual lunar environment was constructed for observation data sharing and further exploration. The systematic architecture and framework were introduced and then strategies of mass data (e.g. lunar digital elevation model, lunar digital orthophoto map and typical thematic lunar data) organisation, integration, management and scheduling were then set up to achieve the 3D visualisation of typical lunar geomorphic features. Furthermore, the integration method of 3D lunar data and the process model of impact craters were studied; thus, the whole lunar and celestial collision process could be dynamically simulated. The results indicate that the WAN-based virtual lunar platform can be used effectively for public information sharing, scientific exploration and further to promote the development of deep space exploration in China.     

基于Web的2．5DGIS研究和应用

Internet、分布式计算以及计算机图形学的飞速发展促使万维网地理信息系统（WebGIS）的概念由“地学数据服务”提高到“地学信息处理服务”的新阶段。不仅地学数据,它使得地学信息处理功能也可以分布在基于客户／服务器（C／S）的架构上。因此,建立较为完善的公共地理信息数据体系,实现基础信息基地的互联互通,建立“一站式”在线地理信息协同服务机制成为适时的需求。本文主要探讨了基于Web的2．5DGIS研究的意义、内容及应用,并介绍了运用2．5DGIS建设城市三维公共服务平台的一个范例。