A PERCEPTUAL EVALUATION OF COMPUTER-BASED LANDSCAPE SIMULATIONS

The perceptual effectiveness of four types of computer simulations that are becoming common in practice was investigated: (1) wire frame; (2) surface model; (3) combination of surface model images with scanned photographic images; (4) image processing. Using these simulation methods, a building/site construction project at the University of California at Berkeley campus was simulated. Respondents evaluated simulations as well as actual images of the postconstruction project site. Their responses were then statistically analyzed in terms of different image abstractions and respondent characteristics. Results indicate that image processing simulations were most effective in portraying reality, while wire frame simulations were least effective. Surface model simulations and combined simulations showed modest perceptual effectiveness, but no critical superiority was found between them. Regarding effects of respondent characteristics in perceiving landscape appearances shown in simulations, no significant effect of design education was found, while some effects of site familiarity and experience in computer simulations were observed.