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several constraints involving class definition, relationship, attributes and the
implementation of such integration should be formed systematically (Louwsma
et al.
2006
).
2 The Pilot WGRPMIS
The pilot system was designed and developed based on user requirement study and
direct semi-structured interview with the potential users of the system (i.e. con-
sumers, real estate agents and property developer) (Salleh et al.
2008
). The pilot
system however is designed on a desktop platform and has not yet been integrated
with web enabling functions. The schematic representation of the pilot system is
illustrated in Fig.
1
.
The search engine embedded in the pilot system is programmed using Visual
Basic, and it has some limitation especially with regards to its networks and geo-
processing query results. Figure
2
shows the results of radius and buffer query
where, the geometric network dataset properties were found missing. Distance
from one to another location should not be accessed purely according to radius and
buffer from selected location but also the range of network distance and accessi-
bility through road.
The 3D visualization and virtual reality integration come after the selection of
the potential residential property is finalized. Hence, the virtual reality files are
pre-recorded and linked from the property attribute table. The initial design of the
system was to integrate 3D GIS with this system. One main constraint is whenever
the system is compiled, and within the testing environment, the loading of 3D GIS
features required more time to execute. Thus, this function is reconsidered and a
more simplified alternative is investigated. Figure
3
shows the result of interior 3D
representation of the tested property.
2.1 Rationale of Improvement
This paper seeks to address the gaps and limitations found in the pilot system
developed by the authors (Salleh et al.
2008
). The improved system include the
query search engine by integrating geo-processing and geometric network analyst
capabilities, simplified 3D visualization functions to reduce processing memory
required to load the level of details (LODs) through virtual panoramic display and
finally to allow online access. The revised system is not intended to generate high
accuracy 3D model of the property, but a reasonable representation of the physical
state of the house and the floor plan design is sufficient. In the earlier pilot system,
loading the LODs requires more time than the user have anticipated. This is doc-
umented in testing the pilot system. The setback is not only the loading time but also
the completeness of the 3D facade and texture is not as desirable. This limitation
