Re-visiting the Use of Surrogate Walks for Exploring Local Geographies Using Non-immersive Multimedia - Geographic Visualization: Concepts, Tools and Applications - page 136

5. Less information/detail would still allow me to build a mental image of the area. Again,
those who had no knowledge of the area could not accept a model with less detail, and
the members of this group who did not undertake the tour indicated that they could
not work with less detail. This again supported the concepts that having knowledge of
the area allows for a simpler model to be provided, and that a pre-use tour assists in
better exploiting the model.
6. Having all elements in full detail makes the image too complex (i.e. it has a negative effect,
rather than improving the model). All candidates generally disagreed with this statement.
The level of detail did not make the tool more complex.
7. I need the addition of street signs for me to orientate myself. The inclusion of the street signs
was supported, but less so by groups 1b and 2a. (Later comments about the inclusion
of the street signs included: “Street signs also provide human scale in terms of height”.)
8. 'End-of-the world' images make the three-dimensional image look more real. These images
were added to the model so that it did not appear to 'end' at the edge of the VRML
world. All candidates supported the inclusion of end-of-the-world images.
9. Adding light poles and wires makes the three-dimensional image look more like an inner
Melbourne shopping strip. This inner urban area has the usual trappings of overhead
wires, poles and banners. The test prototype provides the option of having these items
'on' or 'off '. All candidates thought that the addition of these items was necessary.
10. Changed environmental conditions make the three-dimensional world more appropriate
for better visualizing local conditions. The prototype model allows for the environmental
conditions to be changed - sunny to overcast, day to night. These items can be chosen
by selecting the appropriate radio buttons in the interface. However, the test candidates
did not think that the addition of this function enhanced the tool use.
11. The area consists mainly of small shops. All candidates thought that this was the general
concept of the area, both before and after the tour. Group 2a thought that the area
consisted of more than 'just shops'. This perception of the area was considered in the
next question.
12. The area consists of shops and some significant buildings. All candidates agreed with this
statement. Therefore, it is thought that all of these elements must be provided in the
model.
Lastly, candidates were asked to identify what they thought were the landmark buildings in
the area. That is, if only some buildings could be shown in full detail and others in outline
mode only, which buildings must remain in full detail to allow you to properly navigate
through the area. As well, these 'landmark' buildings, plus all other buildings as outlines,
would enable candidates to build a mental image of the area. They were asked to consider
that the model must provide them with sufficient information for them to be able to make
informed comments about potential developments in the area.