A multi-view VR interface for 3D GIS

Virtual reality is becoming a popular tool to visualize 3D GIS data. Direct interaction with the GIS data, however, is often limited. In this paper, we present a multi-view approach to support 3D GIS interaction within VR-environments. The multi-view approach is based on three types of visualization: plan view, model view and world view. The plan view visualizes the data as a conventional cartographic map. The model view provides a 3D bird's-eye view on a partly symbolic and simplified 3D representation of the data. The would view gives the full immersive and photo-realistic 3D display. These views or modes can be used simultaneously or intermittently, and each provides a repertoire of interaction possibilities that is apt - but not necessarily limited - to that kind of visualization and interaction. This multi-view approach is implemented in the Karma VI system, using existing GIS and VR technology. We describe the multi-view approach, the system components and the internal data models, and how CAD models can be imported and be made consistent with the GIS data. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.