Chapter 7:
Chapter 7 focuses on 3D web scenes, which are basically 3D maps. These 3D web scenes expand GIS beyond the traditional 2D maps. 3D maps are useful for specific industries that may need a detailed 3D view of certain geographic features, such as urban planning applications. It gives these industries the ability to visualize height, depth, and structure, adding a new layer of understanding and analysis that would be difficult to achieve otherwise on 2D maps. The chapter introduces different types of 3D layers. These include 3D object layers, integrated mesh, and point cloud layers. These layers allow the user to represent visuals from simple objects to highly detailed real-world environments, allowing for flexibility when creating 3D maps. It also discusses the differences between cartographic and photorealistic scenes. Cartographic scenes are 3D scenes that are largely symbolic and do not necessarily represent real objects, but are designed to communicate spatial phenomena and data. They are useful for showing abstract data and patterns, such as population statistics and transportation flow. Photorealistic scenes aim to recreate an accurate depiction of reality by focusing on realistic/detailed visuals, which can be useful for gaining a visual understanding of the space as well as creating engaging visuals for the general public. I found the distinction between photorealistic and cartographic scenes interesting because it shows that realism is not always the goal. Sometimes clarity and simplicity are more important, depending on the purpose of the map and the data it is trying to display.
Application: An application based on ideas from Chapter 7 could be a 3D web scene of my daily environment. I’m curious what it would visually look like if I created a photorealistic scene map of a state park that I frequently visit from publicly available data. I would be able to examine the map and discover areas I had previously never discovered. It would also allow me to identify hiking paths and create an application of the 3D map displaying these paths for the public. I chose a photorealistic scene in order to give the public a visual sense of the trail they wish to hike.