Introducing level of detail to 3D thematic maps
Billur Hatice Engin · Sabanci University · 2008
This study investigates 3D visualization of geography related statistical data, organized in different abstraction levels considering their distance to a virtual camera. User has the freedom to visualize her dataset with respect to one of three different distribution models, for investigating and developing hypothesis from the input data. Representations may be generated with classed or unclassed data. Up to two data sets are intuitively embedded in 3D environments produced in real time. If the aim is to tell a story linked with geography, thematic maps are said to be one of the most generic methods. With the help of texturing technology, two dimensional thematic maps are generated in real time and projected on a predefined terrain. Introducing level of detail for data abstraction with respect to camera movements has advanced the system into a multiscale visualization. The contributions of this paper are: to observe data in a 3D environment and visualize spatial data in its original 3D geography leading to a much faster understanding while avoiding confusions; the ability to choose between different statistical visualizations and decide which one of them best fits the distribution of input data; the ability to display the relationship between statistical data and geography in an intuitive way; and to introduce details on demand to thematic maps, where details are automatically visualized when the viewpoint gets closer to the terrain.