An evaluation of software frameworks for landscape visualization. A case study from Switzerland. Martin Geilhausen (1), Silvia Tobias (2), Thomas Zwicker (3) & Daniel Köchli (1) (1) Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Natural Resources Sciences, Wädenswil, Switzerland (martin.geilhausen@zhaw.ch) (2) Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland (silvia.tobias@wsl.ch) (3) tsquare GmbH, Winterthur, Switzerland (tzwicker@tsquare.ch) 09.04.2014 / / Geneva / / Geospatial World Forum 2014
Introduction & Rationale Swiss communities face increasing development pressure on the landscape (Hersperger & Bürgi 2007, Bürgi et al. 2010) Davos 1908 Davos 2000 Davos 2050 WSL research programme Room for People and Nature draws long-term visions and scenarios of future development and explores how it influences landscape qualities. (Photo credit: WSL)
The abilities to dynamically explore the visualisationsof planning proposals, and to see real-time changesin indicator metrics were considered particularly informative, and appeared to increase participants understandingof the plan. Workshop Glarus-Nord, April 2013 (Photo credit: Silvia Salter Tobias et al. WSL) 2009
Objective Evaluation of budget visualization techniques in two case study workshops considering preparation effort level of detail Glarus-Nord Linthebene dynamic navigation and interactivity
Scenario composition 3 approaches Glarus-Nord combination of GIS, CAD and virtual globe (ArcGIS, SketchUp & Google Earth) photo composition & montage (Cinema4D) used complementary at different spatial scales and view perspectives Linthebene a new planning software framework (modularcity) pre-workshop performance test lessons learned considered for further visualization
GIS, CAD & Virtual Globe Glarus--Nord Glarus big picture - bird s eye views from well known scenic spots workflow of scenario composition data mining data mining&&preparation preparation 1 refinement 2 scenario preparation prior to workshop visualization 3 Scenario of landscape change, Study area Glarus Nord View to the Linthebene,
Photo composition & montage Glarus--Nord Glarus detailed views - street views from distinctive locations workflow of scenario composition image acquisition 1 image manipulation 2 scenario preparation prior to workshop visualization 3 Scenario change,study Study area area Glarus Glarus Nord Vicinityofoflandscape the train station,
Planning software modularcity Linthebene mashing up - bird s eye views and street views workflow of scenario composition 1 data mining & preparation 2 procedural modelling live/ real-time construction of scenarios in workshop 3 visualization View towards Uznach, Study area Linthebene
Evaluation Advantage 3D visualization & GE imagery use of available data SketchUp plugins and components different scenario layers (e.g. moderate, no-go ) Limitation manual entity creation of scenarios simple components needed for seamless navigation fixed terrain surface (topography) multi-software workflow with data import/export
Evaluation Advantage easy image manipulation with convincing photo-realism back-end & front-end solution reduced scenario preparation due to limited FOV of single location different scenario layers Limitation 2D visualization manual entity creation of scenarios/future developments many locations due limited FOV fixed perspective/view point
Evaluation Advantage 2D & 3D visualization use of available data real-time changes of metrics and ratios with reporting single software solution Limitation simple components needed for seamless navigation and display creation of background imagery and terrain fixed terrain surface (topography)
Take home messages Dynamic exploration and real-time changes of scenarios with an appropriate level of detail increased participants understanding and activity. GIS-CAD-GE is suitable for scenic views of prepared scenarios using existing data of the present day situation. Cinema4D allows preparation of photo-realistic scenarios of detailed fixed perspective street views and is a valuable supplement to large-scale visualizations. modularcity combines large-scale and detailed views and enables real-time scenario composition and modification fostering participants activity.
Acknowledgements: www.wsl.ch/raumanspruch/ Warmest thanks to Jonas Christen & Nikolaus Heeb (ZHdK Zurich University of the Arts) for stimulating discussions and graphics. This work is part of the research programme Room for People and Nature of the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL. Financial support provided by the Federal Office of Environment, the Cantons of Aargovia, Lucerne, St. Gall, Glarus, the municipality of Glarus Nord, WSL and the Commission for Technology and Innovation CTI is gratefully acknowledged.