1 OVERVIEW OF LANDSCAPE VISUALIZATION

2 Definitions/scope History of visualisation media Case Studies Discussion Criteria and proto-principles for visualisation

3 SOME DEFINITIONS –Data visualization (scientific visualization): numerical, chart, 2D mapping, or 3D data in an enhanced but abstract form –Landscape visualization which displays terrain and other recognisable geographic features in perspective view, with varying degrees of “realism” (Visual Simulation)

4 Landscape Types Farming Suburban Rural Treed Lowland Forest Scrub Site Boundary Landscape Types Farming Suburban Rural Treed Lowland Forest Scrub Site Boundary CONCEPTUAL INFORMATION

UBC/Alex Fraser Research Forest Shelterwood Systems Actual Situation Composition 50% Fdi, 50% Pli Composition 50% Pli, 50% Sx Road Lake Longitudinal Section Height: Fdi=34-36m Pli=29-30m Height: Pli=29-30m Sx=35-36m In the future The height of the trees at: 20 years: Fdi=4-5m, Sx=2m, Pli=5-6m 40 years: Fdi=14-15m,Sx=12-13m, Pli=17-18m The composition of the stand is supposed to be the same.

6 EXPERIENTIAL INFORMATION

7 Applications to VRM Project planning/design Visual impact assessment Public information/communication Perception testing Documentation for post-construction monitoring

8 Development review: alternative housing options

9 Information processing Stimulus Channel Receptor Response

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11 Simulation components (Appleyard) Information-storage system (data) Simulation medium (technique) Presentation format –Images –Setting –Additional information People (operators) and….

12 HISTORY

13 Photo Montage Image Draping 2D/3D Hybrid Modeling 3D Modeling Animation Immersion/Interactivity VISUALIZATION MEDIA

14 Geometric 3D Modelling: eg. wire- frames, solid models Photo-imaging: eg. 2D “paint programs” used on scanned photographs Hybrid Geometric/Photo-imaging: eg. composite pictures and draped images (texture maps) ESTABLISHED TYPES OF LANDSCAPE VISUALIZATION

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SIMULATED SHELTERWOOD-CUTS (THIRD ENTRY) Photosimulation

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SIMULATED SHELTERWOOD CUTS (Photo-overlay of 3D canopy model)

20 EXISTING VIEW (PHOTOGRAPH)

PHOTOSIMULATION (3D STUDIO/PHOTO-SHOP)

World Construction Set Visualization

23 Full 3D Modelling

24 ESTABLISHED VISUALIZATION TYPES Photo-realism is not new Allow temporal “snapshots” Inexpensive and in fairly common use Very powerful images

25 LIMITATIONS OF ESTABLISHED SIMULATIONS Static windows offer a tiny slice of the information: viewpoint easily manipulated Single set of conditions usually depicted Many choices and assumptions must be made to get to a “realistic” image, with little guidance other than experience

26 NEW TYPES OF VISUALIZATION Newer presentation formats: eg. computer animation, virtual reality –Dynamism: movement, growth (spatial and temporal variation) –Real-time interactivity and querying –Immersion technology adds new dimensions to “reality” Increasingly “automated” realism tools/databases

27 EXAMPLES OF EMERGING VISUALIZATION TYPES

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32 Computer animation

33 UBC LANDSCAPE IMMERSION LAB (LIL)

34 Goals for visualisation Get ‘em in the door and keep ‘em interested Make sure they understand what they see Make sure they can trust the visualisations Make sure they are not misled!

35 CONCLUSIONS Visualizations are becoming an ever more valuable and powerful decision support tool, but…. They should be used judiciously: We do not yet know when to trust them

36 Discussion questions 1How might a computer image or scene be manipulated to make it more aesthetic? 2Do the newer virtual reality techniques make it easier or harder to expose bias in visualization? 3What criteria or guidelines would you propose for the appropriate use of visualisations in a VRM context?

37 PRINCIPLES FOR PREPARING VISUALISATIONS Realistic Accurate Comprehensible Engaging Credible/legitimate Accessible

38 Understandable images

39 Representative views

40 Representative views

41 Accuracy

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44 Potential advantages of emerging visualization methods Much more comprehensive choice of viewing modes Continuous shifts in time and space (seeing the transitions) Transparency of the process: freedom to roam within the data (querying the picture?) Much more efficient generation of multiple realistic images High-tech image for the presenter

45 Limitations of emerging visualizations Insufficient data for high realism Most are not linked directly to predictive models (eg. ecological). Still numerous choices and assumptions to be made by the “artist”, with minimal guidance and no training Little available knowledge of the effects of visual images on viewer response: how many images and how much realism do we need?

46 Risks of emerging visualization methods The “wow” factor and the “anti-wow” factor Very real danger of over-use, inappropriate use, and deliberately biased use

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48 ALTERNATIVE VISUALIZATION TECHNIQUES

49 Some proto-principles Visualizations should be clear and understandable to the viewer Visualizations should be representative of typical or informative views Visualizations should be accurate on features important to the decision being made Realistic visualizations should evoke the same reactions as would the corresponding real environment (response equivalence)

50 Some proto-principles Different visualization types are suited for different purposes: choose carefully and use multiple visualisation “channels” Maximize the freedom of choice for the viewer Make the visualization process and data sources transparent and accessible Maximize the linkages to the real landscape/experience/context

51 TEMPORAL VISUALISATION: FIRST ENTRY SHELTERWOOD CUTS

52 THIRD ENTRY SHELTERWOOD CUTS

53 FIFTH ENTRY SHELTERWOOD CUTS

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56 Angle of view

57 Geothermal powerplant Predictive simulation

58 Geothermal powerplant Predictive simulationActual photograph as built

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66 THE PROMISE OF VISUALIZATION Improved communication and understanding of complex information: bringing 2D polygon maps to life, revealing long-term temporal change, showing future communities Integrating information across disciplines and cultural barriers Helping designers/researchers to understand their own plans/models better

67 Simulation components (Appleyard) Information-storage system (data) Simulation medium (technique) Presentation format –Images –Setting –Additional information