Overview

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

3D geovisualization methods, concepts and theory. Bridges conventional geographic visualization with emerging 3D methods. Emphasizes user-centered design and cognitive implications.

COURSE DETAILS:

Course Description
This course is about the design and implementation of analytical 3D visualizations from 3D spatial data for applied geographic problems, unpacking the role 3D data capture methods, analysis, visualization and display mediums play.

Many new visualization techniques, technologies and practices in mapping have emerged that extend far beyond conventional cartography. Geovisualization has developed to include other geographic visualization techniques and tools. Examples of these tools include 2D maps, GPS, 3D GIS, mobile GIS, Google Earth, VR, game engines and AR.

This course aims to prepare students for an emerging new world of geovisualization technologies. 3D is no longer a novelty. Everyone now uses spatial information in everyday contexts, using mobile devices. Emerging new technologies have already changed the way people access information about geographic spaces, and may fundamentally change our relationship with data and space. We live in a world where location-based mobile device services, and high-quality 3D game engines and interactive virtual environments are becoming the norm. In the near future, we are going to see significant advances in the way we are able to interact with 3D geospatial data, and seamlessly integrate this capability into our everyday behaviour, using distributed sensor networks to access and explore real-time geospatial information.

Course Content
We will consider several main themes in this course. We will consider to what degree mainstream GIS/GIScience practice, is able to perform truly 3D GIScience or not. We will explore and critique current geovisualization (or ‘geoviz’), and emerging trends. We will introduce and explore 3D geovisualization, and also consider important GIScience considerations when representing and visualizing geographic phenomena in 3D. We will explore (and try!) a range of contemporary and emerging 3D visualization technologies for geovisualization and critically review their properties and potential in geospatial applications. These will include: 3D GIS; 3D spatial analysis; 3D simulation methods; adapting 3D game engine technologies to spatial analysis and geovisualization; virtual environments; augmented reality.

You will learn a range of ways to capture geographic spaces and phenomena in 3D using a range of methods, including: 3D scanning; Structure-from-Motion (SfM); LiDAR and UAVs (drones).

We will explore the workflows needed to build 3D GIS and 3D geographic virtual environments from these data types. I will show you how to design and build a variety of 3D geovisualizations using conventional, emerging and advanced platforms. Thirdly, we will consider all of these ideas and technologies as geovisualization scholars, emphasizing the fields of geovisualization, GIScience, spatial cognition and interface research. We will explore these themes through reading, discussion, position papers, hands-on exercises, demonstrations of geovisualization interface technologies, and presentations of how people perceive, reason and use these systems in everyday settings.

Examples of questions we might explore include: How do we build mental models of geographic space from maps, GIS, Virtual Environments, and other geovisualization interfaces? How do geovisualizations influence spatial knowledge? Are we geospatial cyborgs?! How might we use 3D game engines or virtual worlds for serious geovisualization applications? What are augmented 3D spaces? How do you build 3D virtual environments using drones, or data from rovers on Mars?

Course organization
One 2-hour lecture per week to introduce concepts, methods, demonstrations.
One 2-hour lab session per week for hands-on training in methods, labs and course assignments, and demonstrations.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Students completing this course, students will be:
a) knowledgeable about how emerging geovisualization technologies raise new opportunities for representing and visualizing geographic spaces;
b) experienced in the planning, design, field strategy and implications of 3D spatial data capture, using 3D laser scanning (LiDAR); UAVs (Drones); Structure-from-Motion (SfM); and other 3D capture technologies;
c) experienced in a range of 3D geovisualization technologies (incl. 3D GIS; 3D game engines repurposed to spatial analysis and visualization; virtual environments; augmented reality);
d) trained in how to design and implement 3D geovisualizations of their own;
e) able to combine 2D and 3D spatial analysis with interactive 3D visualization systems;
f) trained in multi-platform workflow to develop 3D geovisualizations;
g) trained in spatial project design and management skills;
h) able to integrate 3D spatial data and geovisualization methods and thinking into their future work.

Grading

Materials

RECOMMENDED READING: