Landscape and Urban Planning, 2 1 ( 1992 ) 321-33 1 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., Amsterdam

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laboratory r the visualization of virtual enviro

Ken Pittman Virtual Environments Laboratory, School of Design, North Carolina State University, Box 7701, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA

(Accepted 1 November 199 1)

ABSTRACT

Prttman, K., 1992. A laboratory for the visualization of virtual environments. Landscape Urban Plann., 2 1: 327-33 1.

The Virtual Environments hboratory is an interdisciplinary program of the School of Design with facilities oriented toward research -.nd teaching of advanced computer-based imaging, modeling and simulation. The Laboratory draws on the strength and experience of the design disciplines for visualization and problem-solving as applied to all fields. A pri- mary focus of the laboratory is the simulation of terrestrial, atmospheric and marine environments.

The primary mission of the laboratory is to explore and develop innovative approaches to technology and applications that expand the current capabilities and expectations of com- puter-aided design ( CAD ) , geographic infor- mation systems (GIS ) , scientific visualiza- tion, geometric modeling, and systems simulation.

As our capability to generate masses of data outstrips the human ability to comprehend and analyze it, visual analysis and communication become essential skills. According to a Na- tional Science Foundation Panel Report, in- adequate tools for scientific visualization are hampering the analysis of the ‘fire hoses of data’ being produced by supercomputers, sat-

Correspondence to: K. Pittman, Virtual Environments Lab- oratory, School of Design, North Carolina State University, Box 7701, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA.

ellites and other sources. Visualization must become a fundamental tool? not only for post- process presentation graphics, but must be in- corporated into initial observation and analy- sis. Visualization can communicate answers in a way that statistical results and verbal projec- tions often obscure. To date, educational ayd cultural biases have resulted in the emphasis of verbal and quantitative skills at the expense of visual ones, in spite of the tremendous poten- tial of the human brain for pattern recognition and intuitive creativity. With computers used to generate virtual images and environments from raw data and imagined scenarios, more effective use is made of the uniquely human capacities for creative and analytical thought

‘V IJAL-NESS’

The concept of a ‘virtual’ environment or reality has emerged from advances in com- puter image processing, animation, modeling and simulation. As the imaging capability of computers approaches photo-realistic render- ing in real-time, the simulation of objects and spaces moves away from cartoon-like images

Fig. I. Created wet1a.G model with trees.

Fig. 2. Created wetland mod4 without trees. Model and images by Buddy Franklin.

and toward convincing and accurate represen- tations of physically based environments. In- novative technologies under development continue to increase the interactive aspect of computer visualization. Devices that connect with the tactile and aural senses of the user can

provide the interactive interface essential to the experience of a virtual reality. The concept of a ;lirtual environment goes beyond the gadgets of a man-machine interface and addresses the functions and interactions of actual environ-

Fig. 3. Great Smoky Mountains illumination model. Mode; ( nd images by John Fels.

Fig. 4. Great Smoky Mountains elevation model. Model and image? by John Fels.

ments that can be simulated in the virtual space a synthtLic environment provides situational inside the memory of a computer. cues to an operator whose responses are fed

A virtual environment has its main prece- back into the system. So-called ‘human-in-the- dent in flight and driving simulators, in which loop’ applications are the basic models for the

ture situations caa be the topic of interest as easily as the present. Initial conditions can be established and combined with continuing in- put to result in alternative outcomes.

A virtual environment combines and refo- cuses the orientations of CAD and scientific visualization. While it shares with these fields the efficient generation and analysis of alter- natives, the virtual environment becomes more intu’tive, more three-dimensional, and more interactive than traditional CAD. in addition to the graphic representation of abstract equa- tions or microscopic entities, emphasized in most applications in scientific visualization, the Virtual Environments Laboratory is dedi- cated to the visual simulation of real-world phenomena found in spatial environments.

The Laboratory is conceived as a setting where clients from various disciplines can in- teract with computer resources and consulting expertise to apply visualization techni address particular problems. Increasing the ability of the user, whether scientist, planner, or designer, to interact in a functional manner with the simulated environment is a basic goal of the virtual environment concept.

The Laboratory seeks to address real-world issues that can benefit from the use of the tech- nology as well as the development of the tech- nology itself. In addition to research projects, the Laboratory serves as a beginning point for practising professionals to explore the use of technology in their field. The facilities of the laboratory are available to outside agencies and businesses to conduct contracted work. Data- base design, custom software development,

developed for special applications.

The work of the laboratory continues to ad- dress a range of applications including the nat- ural sciences, architecture, landscape architec- ture, planning, product prototyping and information design. Current topics include en- vironmental issues, such as wetlands creation research, land planning and land development projects, visualization of ocean currents, and development of interactive landscape models. Collaboration with a wide range of university programs and professional organizations is seen as the key to the continued development of a broad base of interest in the application of virtual environment technology. The follow- ing outline lists some of the current projects and research areas of the Laboratory.

Environmental sciences

- Forestry: design of bottomland hardwood wetlanas with natural systems models.

- Marine, earth and atmospheric science: visualization of ocean current models.

- Water resources: design and development of interactive watershed models.

Landscape architecture

- Design and development of landscape models.

- Land database design, development and visualization.

- Site planning tool development.

perspectiv: programs for building visualization.

- Development of a prototype for a Virtual Environments Display System.

Visual design

- Development of new interactive interface designs.

The Virtual Environments Labcr itory is de- veloping as an integral part of the School of Design curricula and research agenda. Faculty and students from the school and from the uni- versity at large are engaged in continuing proj- ects and research.

The Laboratory plays a key role in the dem-

standing of qualitative issues of design not seen through traditional methods

Interdisciplinary courses and cross-listed courses offer possibilities for expanding the of- ferings of the university for areas where professional lines have become blurred or new professional possibilities exist. Science, engi- neering and design can always find both simi- lar and differing positions on a subject that will lead to greatly improved solutions.

Educational outreach activities are also ex- tended to the professional design community as a state-of-the-art facility for interactive computer simulation. In past years, the Labo- ratory has been an effective resource for public policy debates in communicating information, or consequences of actions, in a visual manner to a public audience. The laboratory invites all design professionals to find uses for the labo- ratory in their own professional practice.

McCormick, B.H., De Fanti, T.A. and Brown, M D. (Edi- tors), Visualization in scientific computing. Comput. Graphics, 21 (6).