World Wind - http://worldwind.arc.nasa.gov/java/
On Tue, Mar 30, 2010 at 4:36 AM, Brent Fraser <bfra...@geoanalytic.com> wrote: > Landon, > > We've used VTP (vterrain.org) and modified the GUI of it's Enviro viewer to > be a little more end-user friendly. VTP does a good job of providing an > interactive 3d environment of DEM and texture (e.g satellite image), and > optionally 3d structure models. On the downside, you have to author your > datasets carefully (using VTBuilder) to get good performance, and you have > to limit your map/model to an extent (it doesn't model a globe, only a > projection). There's a ton of 3d modeling info on the VTP web site. > > Ossim (www.ossim.org) has OssimPlanet which DOES model a globe but it can > be an effort to set up (I've never tried it). > > While we've seen some interest in 3D mapping environments, one difficulty > is ease of use from the end user's perspective. They're OK with rendered 3d > perspective images, and they LIKE "fly-thru" movies of terrain. But they > LOVE interactive 3d environments, as long as they navigate with ease (and > this can be a big problem). > > They mainly care about the terrain (dem+image) and overlaying map data like > points, lines, and polygons (with styling and annotation). While we've > shown demos of including 3d structures models (buildings), it hasn't > generated much interest. But then we talk to mapping depts, not > engineering/construction. > > Best Regards, > Brent Fraser > GeoAnalytic Inc. > > > Landon Blake wrote: >> >> I’m curious if anyone knows of a decent open source viewer for 3D maps. >> Does such a viewer exist? How widespread is its adoption? >> >> >> I know that Adobe PDF has become a fairly common way to share 2D maps >> digitally, but I didn’t see a lot on the web about a PDF solution for 3D >> maps. If you build 3D maps and models as part of your work, how do you share >> them with your clients and the wider public? >> >> >> Thank you for your thoughts. >> >> >> Landon >> >> >> P.S. – Here are a couple of links I ran across for what appear to be open >> file formats for 3D models. I’m not sure how applicable they would be to 3D >> maps: >> >> >> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COLLADA >> >> http://www.web3d.org/about/overview >> >> >> >> >> >> *Warning: >> *Information provided via electronic media is not guaranteed against >> defects including translation and transmission errors. If the reader is not >> the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, >> distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you >> have received this information in error, please notify the sender >> immediately. >> >> >> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Discuss mailing list >> Discuss@lists.osgeo.org >> http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss > > _______________________________________________ > Discuss mailing list > Discuss@lists.osgeo.org > http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss > -- Brian Russo / (808) 271 4166 _______________________________________________ Discuss mailing list Discuss@lists.osgeo.org http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss