Chapter 7 introduced 3D web maps, or web scenes, and demonstrated how they enhance data interpretation by making it more intuitive and visually engaging. I learned about various scene elements like surfaces, textures, and atmospheric effects—especially how textures improved map readability. The chapter also covered Lidar, which uses laser-based point clouds to capture elevation and surface details. I explored Web AppBuilder and found it useful for creating interactive apps with themes and widgets. Tools like the Query and Filter widgets helped make the apps more dynamic and functional. I was especially intrigued by how 3D technologies such as VR, AR, and indoor GIS are being used to build immersive and highly detailed maps.
An idea I had for an application was to use a 3D map to mark Cardinal sightings in my hometown of Atlanta, GA. The bird is extremely common down south, but I would be interested to see if they are still as prevalent as they used to be back in 2013.