Chapter 7:
Two types of visual effects:
• Photorealistic: Aims to re-create reality using photos to texture features.
These types of scenes often use imagery as the texture and are extremely
well suited for showing visible objects, such as a city.
• Cartographic: Takes 2D thematic mapping techniques and moves them
into 3D. These types of scenes often use attribute-driven symbols (extrusion
height, size, color, and transparency) to display physical, abstract, or
invisible features such as population density, earthquake magnitudes, flight
paths, zoning laws, solar impact, and air corridor risks.
Four Types of Elements:
• Surfaces: Surfaces are continuous measurements, typically elevation,
with one value for a given x,y location. Surfaces provide the foundation for
draping other content.
• Features: Live on, above, or below the surfaces. They can be 2D layers
or 3D scene layers. These features are the operational layers of your 3D
app.
• Textures: Provide exterior or interior covers of your 3D features. Textures
often use aerial imagery or cartographic symbols.
• Atmospheric effects: Examples include lighting and fog.
VR: VR is a computer technology that uses headsets or multi-projected environments to
generate 3D views, sounds, and other sensations that simulate a user’s physical
presence in a virtual or imaginary environment.
X(extended)R(reality): XR refers to all real-and-virtual combined environments and human-machine
interactions, generated by computer technology and wearables, where the X
represents a variable for any current or future spatial computing technologies. (Includes AR)