GEO3D - Geographical Visualizations

Geographical capabilities are needed in many enterprise systems, especially in security and defense systems. They are used in mobile devices as well as at command and control centers.

What is it

GEO3D is simple and open system which allows for real-time visualization of large geographical data. It runs on Windows, Linux and even mobile devices. It has a direct
support for basic data formats. Other data formats and new functionality might be added using the Geo3D plug-in system. Geo3D is easily embeddable into other applications and enterprise systems.

How it works

GEO3D visualizes geographical data in three basic types of layers: Elevation layer, Map layer and Object layer. 

Elevation layer

-is represented by a digital terrain model which together with real-time lighting increases user’s experience and provides convenient look at map and object layers. The
digital terrain model can be created from elevation data in different coordinate systems, projections and formats, such as SRTM or DTED.

Map layers

-are basically raster images stretched on elevation model. Multiple layers can be visually combined together using user-adjustable transparency. This combination is possible even when source map data uses different coordinate systems and projections. Map layers are static or dynamic depending on their source data. Static source data, such as air/satellite photo or scanned topographical maps are stored locally or downloaded from intranet/internet servers. G can cache downloaded maps and allow viewing them later when server connection is not available.

Dynamic map layers are created on the fl y from vector maps or as a result of geographical calculations and analysis.

Object layer

Icons, poly-lines, polygons and other geometrical objects as well as 3D models are visible on the top of map layers. Objects have attributes such as name, position and also custom attributes depending on what the object represents. Object attributes can be edited, added or removed depending on user’s rights. Objects can be read, written to fi le, database or application server in number of formats such as XML, KML or other formats.

Tools

There are already some basic tools such as object attribute editor, distance maesurements, elevation profile.

Integration and extension

GEO3D can be easily embedded into applications written in Java or it can run as a standalone application. GEO3D can be extended using the plug-in system. There are three types of major areas: Connectivity and data formats, Custom visualizations and Custom tools. GEO3D can be easily embedded into applications written in Java or it can run as a standalone application. GEO3D can be extended using the plug-in system. There are three types of major areas: Connectivity and data formats, Custom visualizations and Custom tools.

Connectivity and data formats

Extend the ability to load new maps and also read and write objects. The new data format, as well as new data source such as file, device, DBMS or other server, can be implemented.

Custom visualization

It is easy to add the types of custom objects and implement its 2D rendering into a map layer or 3D rendering into an object layer. The object can be visualized depending
on its attributes. An example is an object representing radio transmitter. The transmitter’s height, antenna size and direction are object attributes provided by server
and optionally accessible to a user. Any change of these attributes is immediately visible on the transmitter 3D model in the map.

Custom tools

Allow to interact with a user and process and visualize geographical data. Custom tools have access to all types of layers. One example is GEO3D plug-in which calculates radio signal coverage. When a user relocates an object representing a radio transmitter, or changes its parameters, its signal coverage is recalculated and displayed in a dynamic map layers.