Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Earth and similar applications, where models of large areas are created with
automatic or semi-automatic acquisition method. Models are created in high detail,
and aerial photo is used as a base map. Because of the lack of the clarity, it is
difficult
to use photorealistic visualization as
the map of
larger areas.
Non-photorealistic models
influence the map complexity too, but not
so
significantly.
Generally characteristics of non-photorealistic rendering techniques include the
ability to sketch geometric objects and scenes, to reduce visual complexity of
images, as well as to imitate and extend classical depiction techniques known
from scientific and cartographic illustrations (D¨ llner and Buchholz
2005
). Stan-
dardization of 3D maps was discussed in Herman and Reznik (
2013
).
Modern internet map portals use non-photorealistic 3D models in different levels
of abstraction as an enhancement of the map, especially in large cities. Maps used
as stimuli in the experiment are described in chapter “Stimuli” in more detail.
Evaluation of 3D Maps
Three dimensional non-photorealistic 3D visualization is used by an increasing
number of applications. However, there is a still little known how 3D can be used in
visualization most efficiently. As Kone
ˇ
n
´
et al. (
2011
) highlights, the creation of
the usability tests for different types of maps and visualizations is quite a challenge.
There exist few studies, focused on evaluation of 3D in maps. Most of them use
the questionnaire as the main investigation method. Savage et al. (
2004
) and
Petrovic and Masera (
2006
) analysed user
s preferences on 2D and 3D maps.
Schobesberger and Patterson (
2008
) investigate differences between 2D and 3D
map of the Zion National Park in Utah. Haeberling (
2004
) evaluated design vari-
ables for 3D maps.
In few studies, eye-tracking was used for the evaluation of 3D maps. Fuhrmann
et al. (
2009
) analysed differences between perception of 2D map and its holo-
graphic equivalent. Irvankoski et al. (
2012
) investigates visualization of elevation
information on maps. Interaction with a 3D geo-browser under time pressure was
evaluated by Wilkening and Fabrikant (
2013
). Possibilities of eye-tracking evalu-
ation in cartography were discussed in Popelka et al. (
2012
) and Popelka and
Voˇen´lek (
2012
).
Different perception of 2D and 3D terrain maps was investigated in Popelka and
Brychtov´ (
2013
). In this study, two eye-tracking tests were used for observing the
user perception of the pair of maps representing the terrain. On one map, the terrain
was represented by contour lines. Second map contained the perspective view of the
same data as the first map.
The purpose of the paper is to analyse the user perception of two types of 3D
visualization in maps of the cities.
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