Creating 3D oceanographic data visualizations for the web
Michael P. McCann · 2002
In 1999 the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) began a project to create 3D visualizations for each of its Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) dives in the deep waters of the ocean. The goal was to synthesize various ROV-generated data sets for visualization in a common, compelling, efficient, and easy-to-use system. Integrating these visualizations into the Institute's database of dive information is a key component that helps make the data more understandable and useful. The architecture of the system was designed to allow for incremental improvements in the presentation and in the underlying data quality. An object oriented approach for the data access and use of the VRML97 EXTERNPROTO feature provided the framework for this architecture. The visualization system has been in place for over a year, internal users now have adequate platforms to visualize their data, and we are beginning our evaluation for a next cycle of improvements that will employ features of the next generation of VRML, including GeoVRML.