Harnessing the power of immersive virtual reality - visualization and analysis of 3D earth science data sets

ABSTRACT

The availability and quantity of remotely sensed and terrestrial geospatial data sets are on the rise. Historically, these data sets have been analyzed and quarried on 2D desktop computers; however, immersive technologies and specifically immersive virtual reality (iVR) allow for the integration, visualization, analysis, and exploration of these 3D geospatial data sets. iVR can deliver remote and large-scale geospatial data sets to the laboratory, providing embodied experiences of field sites across the earth and beyond. We describe a workflow for the ingestion of geospatial data sets and the development of an iVR workbench, and present the application of these for an experience of Iceland’s Thrihnukar volcano where we: (1) combined satellite imagery with terrain elevation data to create a basic reconstruction of the physical site; (2) used terrestrial LiDAR data to provide a geo-referenced point cloud model of the magmatic-volcanic system, as well as the LiDAR intensity values for the identification of rock types; and (3) used Structure-from-Motion (SfM) to construct a photorealistic point cloud of the inside volcano. The workbench provides tools for the direct manipulation of the georeferenced data sets, including scaling, rotation, and translation, and a suite of geometric measurement tools, including length, area, and volume. Future developments will be inspired by an ongoing user study that formally evaluates the workbench’s mature components in the context of fieldwork and analyses activities.     

地下空间数据挖掘与虚拟现实

目前,地理信息系统处理空间数据多停留在点、线、面三类二维的地表数据,对离散或连续的真三维数据进行处理尚处于初步研究阶段。本文基于ArcGIS9.2版本中新开发的Extrude Between模块的拉伸封闭多边形面功能,以某校区地下87个离散钻孔数据为例,进行三维虚拟实现:首先,进行空间数据的挖掘,即对87个钻孔数据通过预处理,进行对具有特异值的各个钻孔数据层空间内插,生成具有深度属性的各层等高线,最终生成模拟各地层上表面形态的TIN;然后,虚拟实现真三维数据的可视化及体视化,达到对地下实体空间进行逼真模拟,反映该校区地形、地貌、地层分布以及水文地质特征。     

基于遥感及GIS的精确时空虚拟现实研究

本文探讨了GIS支持下遥感影像精确时空建模及其虚拟现实的理论和方法。描述了自然景观对象的时空表达、精确时空模型单元的基本关系 ,阐述了基于遥感和GIS的时空模型可视化一般理论 ,及时空数据库支持下真实景观的影像模拟方法 ,最后给出了目前研究存在的若干技术问题     

基于GIS的海洋和大气数据管理与可视化研究

A GIS for ocean applications called “the Xiamen Atmospheric and Oceanographic Data Management and Display System (AODMDS)” has been designed and developed. The system is based on ArcObjects (AO), a component-based GIS development tool. The paper discusses in detail the storage and organization of the atmospheric and oceanographic data, the strategy and methods for the visualization and mapping of oceanographic and atmospheric data, and the implementation of the methods in AODMDS. It also discusses some advanced display control techniques that expand the functions of ArcObjects. One of the techniques is “gradient-fill-style color-map control,” which provides a feasible color-rich display control for all types of raster maps. As a stand-alone desktop GIS system built on AO, AODMDS provides effective data management and powerful mapping and visualization functions for atmospheric and oceanographic data.      

利用FME进行GIS数据的无损转换

在研究FME语义映射文件的组成格式、定义方法、执行过程的基础上,利用修改FME语义影射文件的方法,对DWG到SHAPE格式的数据无损转换进行了研究。结合科研项目,作者实现了数据从AutoCAD的DWG格式到ArcGIS的SHAPE格式的无损、快速、高效地转换,有效地解决了“如何实现数据在不同平台之间的转换,实现数据共享”这个制约GIS项目进度的瓶颈问题。     

GIS可视化技术与PDM的集成研究

传统的产品数据管理PDM(Product Data Management.PDM)系统无法直观地描述产品的空间分布,难以进行基于产品空间信息的统计分析,可视化效果较差.从GIS和PDM各自的功能特点出发,讨论GIS可视化技术与PDM集成的可行性及特点;分析GIS-PDM集成系统(图文信息管理子系统和客户关系管理子系统)的基础框架及     

三维仿真虚拟现实技术在城市规划中的应用

虚拟现实技术是一种可以创建和体验虚拟世界的计算机技术,利用此项技术,可以为城市规划与设计提供较好的感性认识。本文介绍了虚拟现实技术及其在城市规划设计中的作用,并探讨了城市真三维建模与可视化管理。     

无缝GIS的空间数据组织研究

提出了"无缝GIS"这一全新概念,指出数据组织是无缝GIS实选择方案和海量无缝空间数据组织方法.     

摄影地形测量数据的三维融合和可视化

本文首先解释T-共线方程的概念,提出了基于T-共线方程进行三维配准的准则和数学模型,以及两共轭影像在三维空间进行配准和三维重建的计算方法。可视化将人类对现实世界认识的准则:感觉-思维-认知,应用于对数据世界的认识,因此配准、融合和立体视觉重建,有助于对地球影像的理解和解译。本文以三个案例的卫星和航空摄影地形测量数据,基于T-共线方程,对摄影地形测量数据的配准、融合和可视化,进行了原理性试验。     

基于超图的数据结构及其在GIS中的应用

空间数据是空间分析的基础,随着海量空间数据的增大,其之间关系的日益复杂,空间数据的组织就显得愈发重要。基于超图的数据结构以超图和集合理论为基础,可以表达空间数据之间的层次关系和横向关系,使GIS空间数据结构在空间分析中的完备性和适应性问题得到解决。本论文在对超图的层次数据结构和非层次结构进行详细研究的基础上,初步探讨利用面向对象的关系数据库系统实现该模型,并以海洋数据为例,利用HBDS组织海洋原始数据、等深线数据、特征线数据、地貌数据等。论文的最后对HBDS在GIS中的应用做简单举例,并期将HBDS和OLAP相结合的方法进行数据挖掘。     

Runoff modelling of a small watershed using satellite data and GIS

This study was conducted for the Nagwan watershed of the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC), Hazaribagh, Bihar, India. Geographic Information System (GIS) was used to extract the hydrological parameters of the watershed from the remote sensing and field data. The Digital Elevation Model (DEM) was prepared using contour map (Survey of India, 1:50000 scale) of the watershed. The EASI/PACE GIS software was used to extract the topographic features and to delineate watershed and overland flow-paths from the DEM. Land use classification were generated from data of Indian Remote Sensing Satellite (IRS-1B—LISS—II) to compute runoff Curve Number (CN). Data extracted from contour map, soil map and satellite imagery, viz. drainage basin area, basin shape, average slope of the watershed, main stream channel slope, land use, hydrological soil groups and CN were used for developing an empirical model for surface runoff prediction. It was found that the model can predict runoff reasonably well and is well suited for the Nagwan watershed. Design of conservation structures can be done and their effects on direct runoff can be evaluated using the model. In broader sense it could be concluded that model can be applied for estimating runoff and evaluating its effect on structures of the Nagwan watershed.     

基于GIS的族谱空间信息查询与可视化研究

族谱是一个家族的生命史,记录家族的起源和发展,具有很大的研究价值。如何实现族谱空间信息化,是GIS社会化研究领域的一个重要课题。文中选择河南省域内某模拟族谱作为研究对象,运用GIS技术整合海量族谱数据,建立地图空间数据库和家族成员基本信息表,以ArcGIS Engine 9.3、SQL Server为平台,开发族谱GIS信息系统,实现族谱空间查询及家族成员迁徙路线可视化等功能。族谱GIS信息系统为族谱研究提供新的思路、方法和技术。     

无缝GIS数据生产的研究

随着数字地球的发展,传统的以"图幅"为单位的GIS应用模式已满足不了实际应用的需要,无缝GIS成为GIS发展的必然趋势,而无缝数据的生产又是实现无缝GIS的关键环节。本文探讨了无缝GIS数据生产的流程,及无缝数据生产的三个关键技术———数据中间件接口技术、线状要素的裁剪和属性关联技术、面状要素的交、并运算和属性关联技术。     

交互式地图综合过程中的符号可视化问题

针对计算机地图综合仍然以人机交互的方式为主的现状,本文根据地图综合操作中的符号可视化的四个特点,提出了建立以单套比例尺符号库适宜多套比例尺地形图数据的可视化方案。通过定义不同比例尺之间符号的衰减系数,讨论了单套比例尺可视化多套比例尺数据的实现方式,并结合1:1万地形图缩编至1:5万地形图进行了模拟实验。     

基于GIS的雷达数据三维可视化与预警系统设计与实现

利用GIS空间分析方法,基于ArcGIS Engine与Microsoft VB.NET技术,设计实现新一代多普勒气象雷达数据三维可视化与预警分析系统.该系统可实现基于地理信息的雷达数据的坐标转换、统计与动态分析、三维可视化、自动预警、应急通信以及专题制图等主要功能.在多普勒雷达数据应用中首次建立了基于GIS空间分析的自动预警模型.实际应用表明,该系统可为精细化短时气象预报提供有效支持.     

Study on visualization of virtual city model based on internet

With the rapid development of computer graphics, distributed-computing and Internet, it is possible to achieve Internet-based virtual city. This paper dwells on the method of the terrain and its feature modeling and complex entity modeling in the virtual city. Then, discusses the method for Internet-based virtual city 3D visualization and the design of the Browser/Server architecture of the system of virtual city in the network environment. Finally, Java and Java 3D are used to show an experiment example, and the related conclusion about Internet-based virtual city 3D displaying and the client-side interactive operation is given.     

Study on visualization of virtual city model based on internet

With the rapid development of computer graphics, distributed-computing and Internet, it is possible to achieve Internet-based virtual city. This paper dwells on the method of the terrain and its feature modeling and complex entity modeling in the virtual city. Then, discusses the method for Internet-based virtual city 3D visualization and the design of the Browser/Server architecture of the system of virtual city in the network environment. Finally, Java and Java 3D are used to show an experiment example, and the related conclusion about Internet-based virtual city 3D displaying and the client-side interactive operation is given.     

Improving exposure assessment in environmental epidemiology: Application of spatio-temporal visualization tools

A thorough assessment of human exposure to environmental agents should incorporate mobility patterns and temporal changes in human behaviors and concentrations of contaminants; yet the temporal dimension is often under-emphasized in exposure assessment endeavors, due in part to insufficient tools for visualizing and examining temporal datasets. Spatio-temporal visualization tools are valuable for integrating a temporal component, thus allowing for examination of continuous exposure histories in environmental epidemiologic investigations. An application of these tools to a bladder cancer case-control study in Michigan illustrates continuous exposure life-lines and maps that display smooth, continuous changes over time. Preliminary results suggest increased risk of bladder cancer from combined exposure to arsenic in drinking water (>25 g/day) and heavy smoking (>30 cigarettes/day) in the 1970s and 1980s, and a possible cancer cluster around automotive, paint, and organic chemical industries in the early 1970s. These tools have broad application for examining spatially- and temporally-specific relationships between exposures to environmental risk factors and disease.This study was supported by grant R01 CA96002-10, Geographic-Based Research in Cancer Control and Epidemiology, from the National Cancer Institute. Development of the STIS^TM software was funded by grants R43 ES10220 from the National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences and R01 CA92669 from the National Cancer Institute. Access to cancer case records was provided by Michigan Cancer Surveillance Program within the Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics, Michigan Department of Community Health. The authors thank Michigan Public Health Institute for conducting the telephone interview and Stacey Fedewa and Lisa Bailey for entering written surveys into a database. The authors thank 3 anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments.     

利用虚拟现实技术提升规划方案的空间认知效果

现代城市中各类地理空间信息量巨大,空间关系错综复杂。要求地理空间和规划方案的展示方式具有更好空间认知效果,方能使规划人员对展示内容的认知更加高效准确,从而作出科学合理的规划设计和审批决策。相比常规的规划方案展示形式,虚拟现实技术可以有效提高规划方案的空间认知效果。本文提出一种城市规划方案的虚拟现实场景的制作方法,并用试验验证了虚拟现实场景在空间认知效果上的显著优势。