SIUE DENTAL SCHOOL VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT

BY STEVE KLAAS

SIUE-GEOG 421: DIGITAL ELEVATION MODELING

DR. SHUNFU HU, FALL 2013

Introduction

Traditional maps are designed to display geospatial data on paper in two dimensions.

Geovisualization allows the cartographer to display geospatial data in three dimensions. The user can interactively navigate the data from multiple perspectives, providing improved visualization.

Project Objectives: Create a virtual environment depicting the SIUE Dental School Campus in Alton. Show the terrain in 3D, depict features above and below the ground using 3D symbols, and create a movie allowing geovisualization of the scene from multiple perspectives.

Data Sets Used

30-meter DEM (NRCS) Digital Orthophoto (NRCS) Extra 3D Buildings (SketchUp 3D

Warehouse)

Methodology

Created a 3D Model of the Science Building using SketchUp.

Georeferenced imagery from Google provided actual location for accurate dimensions.

The building was created by extruding polygons and applying various textures to the surfaces.

Upon completion, the 3D building was imported as symbology for a point feature representing the actual building location.

The Science Building was built in 1836 on the grounds of a seminary as part of Shurtleff College. The college reached a peak enrollment of 700 in 1950, before being purchased by SIUE in 1957 for the dental school.

Methodology

Science building created using SketchUp

Methodology

Additional buildings were downloaded from SketchUp 3D warehouse in an attempt to depict the Alton Museum, Carnegie Library, and Dental Clinic.

Dental Clinic

Methodology

Buildings obtained from SketchUp 3D Warehouse used to depict museum and library.

Methodology

Data Preparation: 30-meter DEM from NRCS

Format: Mosaicked TIF, converted to GRID

Projection: Reprojected to Ill. State Plane West-Feet

Subset: Extract by Mask using Study Area polygon

Convert Z units to Feet using Raster Calculator

Convert Z units to Integer using Raster Calculator

Methodology

Data Preparation: Digital Orthophoto Projection: Reprojected to Ill. State Plane

West-Feet Subset: Extract by Mask using Study

Area Polygon

DEM shown above Orthophoto shown above

Methodology

ArcCatalog: Created file geodatabase to contain all data for the project.

Geodatabase was created using domains, feature datasets, and feature classes with subtypes. The DEM and orthophoto were loaded as raster datasets.

Spatial reference information was imported from the raster datasets when creating feature datasets.

Feature classes created using domains and subtypes.

Geometric Networks were created for the electric and water utilities after digitizing was completed.

Methodology

Above: Feature classes contained in Utilities feature dataset.

Above: Feature datasets contained in geodatabase. Each dataset contains various feature classes.

Methodology

Domains and subtypes were used for all applicable feature classes to provide default values, reduce errors, and speed up digitizing.

Methodology

Digital orthophoto was used as a reference to digitize all features.

Features were added as layers to ArcScene, using Base Heights to drape all features over the DEM.

Offset height values were used to raise the power lines to the top of the power poles, and to lower the water lines below the ground.

Pavement was offset slightly above the grass for better visibility.

3D Symbology was applied to all features in ArcScene and appropriately sized.

Results

Virtual Environment from above

Results

Virtual Environment at ground level

Results

3D Symbols to add realism

Results

Electric and Water Utility Networks consisting of features above and below ground level

Results

Cross-profile showing water lines below ground and electric lines above ground.

Results

Left: Electric Utility NetworkShown in ArcMap

Right: Water Utility NetworkShown in ArcMap

Conclusion

Project succeeded in creating a virtual environment depicting the SIUE Dental School campus.

Use of 3D features enhances the scene by depicting terrain and geospatial data in a more realistic fashion than traditional 2D paper maps.

Geovisualization provided by the fly through movie allows the user to navigate the scene from a birds-eye view, providing multiple perspectives of complex data sets.

Questions