The GIS/CAD divide is primarily a matter of process now. The divide between these two systems breaks down completely when you get to the model view. The efforts to create sustainable infrastructure can contribute greatly in bridging disciplines and bringing process and visualization together.
At present, there are many 3D model makers with varying toolsets and skills, differing disciplines that they serve, and many purposes for building their models. Architects and urban planners are accustomed to using computer-aided design (CAD) tools for model development. GIS users are increasingly exploring the use of 3D data and visualization tools for public outreach and cross-disciplinary planning.
The varying degrees of model realism are primarily due to the model builder’s purpose as well as the software tools with which they’re accustomed. GIS practitioners, for example, typically extruded buildings or textured the building faces, without any interior information. CAD users often develop detailed building interiors and exteriors, but struggle with placing a building in its larger urban context.
It’s obvious that bringing the CAD and GIS model creators together would bring great benefit to both camps. Within large engineering organizations that house both CAD and GIS specialists, this integration is being tackled with stellar results. However, there are still quite a few GIS or CAD-centric communities that don’t know where to begin the integration process, and don’t have the relationships to bring about the exchange and integration of models.
Individual projects serve as the primary catalyst to bring model views together, but what is needed is an entity to take over the role of brokering model integration. Until we get to the point of an engaged city or other entity that acts as a central brokerage for the integration and interaction of intelligent models, the virtual worlds will suffer from a lack of realism and won’t be sustainable.
On the consumer side, there’s a great deal of progress. The public has come to expect rich 3D experiences, with greater realism in both Google Earth and Microsoft Virtual Earth and greater interaction in virtual worlds such as Second Life. It’s time to work diligently on bringing visualization and simulation platforms into the spatial fold, adding spatial intelligence to models.
See another take on this topic on Jeff Thurston’s Vector One Blog. Jeff and I will be tackling the same topic weekly as part of our V1 Magazine and weekly V1 Newsletter.Â
