1st International Congress on Environmental Modelling and Software - Lugano, Switzerland - June 2002
Keywords
landscape simulation, virtual reality, decision support
Start Date
1-7-2002 12:00 AM
Abstract
It is expected that the structure of rural communities and the visual landscape of the Cudgewa Valley in northeastern Victoria, Australia, will change markedly within the next 20 years. We are creating a portable environment for landscape simulation, using geographic information systems and virtual reality technology. This will allow the community and stakeholders of this valley to propose alternative land cover configurations, move through realistic renderings of the consequent landscape, and review outcomes on a variety of environmental, economic and social scales. A detailed three dimensional visual model of the region will be rendered using OpenGL Performer. People will also be able to interact with the visual model, using personal digital assistants. The interactivity will include ability to move through the environment, mechanisms for input of land use change scenarios, and individual or group specification of values and preferences. The implementation of the landscape simulation environment has been realised using three screens to form a wide-angle view of the landscape and three main software parts. The landscape model is rendered by ‘PA’, a program based on OpenGL Performer. Land cover options can be selected using ‘ArcGIS’. Any information exchange between ArcGIS and PA is handled by ‘PA-server’ through the local area network. Any incoming messages from the personal digital assistants will also be handled by PA-server via wireless networks. Finally, PA-server is responsible for coordinating the update of the rendered landscape. This project will develop techniques that help people to learn about their local landscape, examine the consequences of application of their values, and support informed decisions about land use.
Immersive, Interactive Exploration of Changing Landscapes
It is expected that the structure of rural communities and the visual landscape of the Cudgewa Valley in northeastern Victoria, Australia, will change markedly within the next 20 years. We are creating a portable environment for landscape simulation, using geographic information systems and virtual reality technology. This will allow the community and stakeholders of this valley to propose alternative land cover configurations, move through realistic renderings of the consequent landscape, and review outcomes on a variety of environmental, economic and social scales. A detailed three dimensional visual model of the region will be rendered using OpenGL Performer. People will also be able to interact with the visual model, using personal digital assistants. The interactivity will include ability to move through the environment, mechanisms for input of land use change scenarios, and individual or group specification of values and preferences. The implementation of the landscape simulation environment has been realised using three screens to form a wide-angle view of the landscape and three main software parts. The landscape model is rendered by ‘PA’, a program based on OpenGL Performer. Land cover options can be selected using ‘ArcGIS’. Any information exchange between ArcGIS and PA is handled by ‘PA-server’ through the local area network. Any incoming messages from the personal digital assistants will also be handled by PA-server via wireless networks. Finally, PA-server is responsible for coordinating the update of the rendered landscape. This project will develop techniques that help people to learn about their local landscape, examine the consequences of application of their values, and support informed decisions about land use.
