Management and visualization of large, complex and time-dependent 3D objects in distributed GIS

ABSTRACT

This paper presents solutions for architectures of distributed GIS employed for large scale geological modeling in contrast with more traditional GIS. Key technologies are proposed for dealing with complex geological spatio-temporal 3D models. These techniques are then illustrated on a prototype system developed to support interactive work on large models employed by existing geological 3D modeling tools. This prototype has already been successfully applied to the construction of large 3D and 4D models in a geological research project concerning the development of large 3D kinematic models of selected regions within the Lower Rhine Basin. We expect that the enhanced facility in handling large sets of complex data provided by these techniques will enable geoscientists to create more comprehensive and more powerful GIS.

REFERENCES

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.2 DATABASE MANAGEMENT
      H.2.8 Database applications
          Subjects: Spatial databases and GIS

Additional Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.3 INFORMATION STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL
      H.3.3 Information Search and Retrieval
          Subjects: Retrieval models; Selection process; Query formulation
      H.3.4 Systems and Software
          Subjects: Distributed systems

General Terms:
Algorithms, Design, Experimentation, Management, Performance

Keywords:
3D/4D geological modeling, CORBA, Java, VRML, VTK, animation, data selection and retrieval, distributed spatial databases, mesh decimation, open GIS, progressive transmission, temporal spatial data, visualization