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| Titel |
Geological 3D model visualization in Cave settings, challenges and limitations |
| VerfasserIn |
Gerold Zeilinger, Andreas Bergner, Lutz Ehlert, Matthias Ohrnberger, Manfred R. Strecker |
| Konferenz |
EGU General Assembly 2011
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| Medientyp |
Artikel
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| Sprache |
Englisch
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| Digitales Dokument |
PDF |
| Erschienen |
In: GRA - Volume 13 (2011) |
| Datensatznummer |
250055420
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| Zusammenfassung |
| During the last decade new developments in visualization hardware and software with
geoscience applications have improved our ability to portray complex data in a user-friendly
manner. This technology provides new avenues for innovative research operations
and teaching efforts with multi-sourced data sets spanning the 3D arrangement of
geological structures and seismicity to the distribution of rainfall, runoff and surface
processes.
Since October 2010 a 3-sided virtual reality Cave has been operative at the Institute
of Environmental and Earth Sciences at Potsdam University. This facility, which
is open to industry and academic partners, is an integrative part of PROGRESS,
the Potsdam Research Cluster for Georisk Analysis, Environmental Change and
Sustainability. Already during the initial planning and setup phase of the installation, the
focus was on the usability for research and teaching. Key for usability are (1) a
fast and smooth data/model transfer from standard geological software (e.g. Visit,
MOVE, PETREL, ArcGIS) to the 3-dimensional visualization in order to avoid time
consuming data transformation to highly specified visualization software, and (2)
the capability to modify models directly within the visualization cluster by the
user with the familiar standard software. This is achieved with Techviz, a software
that allows to run at a level above the mentioned standard applications in a Cave
setting. The Cave comprises three 3.84 x 2.4 m screens (two side walls, one floor)
with a resolution of 2 mm per pixel. The applied 3D stereo technology is Active
Stereo for small groups (up to five persons) and Active Infitec for groups of up to
ten persons. Users are tracked with an ART head-, flightstick- and finger-tracking
system.
The advantages of Active Stereo are color brilliance and high contrast. Using the Active
Stereo mode with several persons in the Cave shielding of the synchronization signal between
the emitters and the goggles occur and sporadically results in distorted 3-dimensional
impressions. The passive goggle system “Active Infitec” provides less contrast in the
display, but provides an undistorted 3-dimensional impression for several viewers
standing in the Cave. This system is therefore the preferred stereo mode for teaching
purposes.
In the research realm using 3-dimensional visualization in the Cave provides improved and
much faster recognition of complex structures and offers the immediate possibility of
discussing and manipulating models during discussions with peers. A successful utilization of
this system by many researchers requires, however that the familiarization with the technical
and management aspects is brief in order to attract frequent users that can implement and
visualize own data/models. The user will use familiar software for display and
manipulation, while the software organizing the display signal in the Cave works in the
background. One shortcoming is that the perspective is only calculated for the tracked
head (of the principal user), while other users do not have a similar perspective.
This circumstance requires moderate changes of viewing angles from the main
user. Nevertheless, this projection technique allows groups to discuss scientific
questions through advanced visualization and combination of diverse spatiotemporal
data.
Our experience with this system as a teaching tool is excellent. Student feedback emphasized
the improved visual recognition of complex structures compared to classical 2D figures. This
very important aspect will ultimately lead to an increase of 3-dimensional visualization
covering many geologically relevant structures and patterns (e.g. crystal lattice, fossil shapes,
seismic cubes, phase diagrams, folds etc.), providing a profound introduction into the
3-dimensionality of Earth Sciences starting already at the BSc level. Without doubt,
virtual reality is an excellent tool for visualizing, researching and teaching geological
data/models and complex spatial relationships that will ultimately lead to frequent use in
education. |
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