TECHNOLOGY DEFINITIONS

To understand the developing 3D geospatial market it’s important to consider some of the industry’s primary technologies: GIS; CAD; BIM, LIDAR and aligned capture technologies, and integrated sensors:

• GIS encompasses the array of computer systems designed to process maps and geospatial data (i.e., an information system designed to work with data referenced by spatial or geographic coordinates). GIS software is used to develop, store, analyze and output geospatial data. In a sense, a GIS may be thought of as a higher-order map. Common database functions, such as query and statistical analysis, are integrated with the unique visualization and geographic analysis benefits of maps. There’s a vast difference between seeing information in a table of rows and columns and seeing it presented in the form of a map. The difference isn’t simply aesthetic; it’s conceptual. The way users see data has a profound effect on the connections they make and the conclusions they draw from the data. GIS provides the layout and drawing tools that help present facts with clear, compelling documents.

• CAD is a system that is highly oriented toward design and design processes. The information within a CAD system is usually acquired by technologies that employ measurement devices that are capable of measuring high degrees of accuracy and precision. For this reason, the applications CAD are associated with infrastructure like roads, bridges, pipelines, plants and structures. Since most CAD are oriented toward 'projects' this means that collections of drawings are often stored together. However, the design process includes not only infrastructure drawings but also text, messages and other documents associated with the project. This is why CAD systems entail data models that focus on the management and distribution as well as the collaboration of information. Because the content of drawings includes structures, CAD systems are highly correlated to 3D object design and visualization purposes. GIS and CAD link together at the data model level. Their combined information leverages both design and analysis, creating a powerful combination for visualization use and communication.

• Building Information Modeling, a technology that has close ties to both CAD and GIS, is a digital representation of the building process to facilitate the exchange of information in a digital format. BIM covers building properties and components as well as the geometry, spatial relationships and geographic information of the parcel that the building rests on.

• Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) technology uses laser instruments to bounce light off objects and gather these reflected points to represent a highly accurate 3D terrain model. The technology is applied with great success to capture detailed cityscapes both from above (aerial) and from the ground (terrestrial). Marrying these two perspectives results in an engineering-grade 3D model.

• Sensors (such as GPS, video, weather stations, stress sensor, etc.) are coming together in integrated networks to create smart sensor webs where sensors can talk to one another. These inputs to models add a great deal of intelligence and potentially real-time views and analysis.

3D Visualization is influenced and shaped by several fields and related technologies, including gaming, entertainment, computer science, information management and photogrammetry. For example, as database management software becomes more advanced, its benefits accrue to geospatial technology. Computer hardware that supports visualization in games is comparable to products used in business and scientific environments. Similarly, the types of input/output peripheral devices used in geospatial technology applications are comparable to those in traditional data processing.