INTERACTIVE GEO-INFORMATION IN VIRTUAL REALITY – OBSERVATIONS AND FUTURE CHALLENGES

Visualization applications are an increasingly significant component in the field of 3D geo-information. In them, the utilization of consumer grade virtual reality (VR) head mounted displays (HMD) has become a topical research question. It is notable, that in most presented implementations, the VR v...

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Main Authors: J.-P. Virtanen, A. Julin, H. Handolin, T. Rantanen, M. Maksimainen, J. Hyyppä, H. Hyyppä
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications 2020-09-01
Series:The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences
Online Access:https://www.int-arch-photogramm-remote-sens-spatial-inf-sci.net/XLIV-4-W1-2020/159/2020/isprs-archives-XLIV-4-W1-2020-159-2020.pdf
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author J.-P. Virtanen
J.-P. Virtanen
A. Julin
H. Handolin
T. Rantanen
M. Maksimainen
J. Hyyppä
H. Hyyppä
author_facet J.-P. Virtanen
J.-P. Virtanen
A. Julin
H. Handolin
T. Rantanen
M. Maksimainen
J. Hyyppä
H. Hyyppä
author_sort J.-P. Virtanen
collection DOAJ
description Visualization applications are an increasingly significant component in the field of 3D geo-information. In them, the utilization of consumer grade virtual reality (VR) head mounted displays (HMD) has become a topical research question. It is notable, that in most presented implementations, the VR visualization is accomplished by a game engine. As game engines rely on textured mesh models as their conventional 3D asset format, the challenge in applying photogrammetric or laser scanning data is in producing models than are suitable for game engine use. We present an example of leveraging immersive visualization in geo-information, including the acquisition of data from the intended environment, processing it to a game engine compatible form, developing the required functions on the game engine and finally utilizing VR HMDs to deploy the application. The presented application combines 3D indoor models obtained via a commercial indoor mapping system, a 3D city model segment obtained by processing airborne laser scanning data, and a set of manually created 3D models. The performance of the application is evaluated on two different VR systems. The observed capabilities of interactive VR applications include: 1) intuitive and free exploration of 3D data, 2) ability of operate in different scales, and with different scales of data, 3) integration of different data types (such as 2D imaging and 3D models) in interactive scenes and 4) the possibility to leverage the rich interaction functions offered by the game engine platform. These capabilities could support several use cases in geo-information.
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spelling doaj.art-1b4c4cdb97c14c248f1b53849bd43ef12022-12-21T19:11:02ZengCopernicus PublicationsThe International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences1682-17502194-90342020-09-01XLIV-4-W1-202015916510.5194/isprs-archives-XLIV-4-W1-2020-159-2020INTERACTIVE GEO-INFORMATION IN VIRTUAL REALITY – OBSERVATIONS AND FUTURE CHALLENGESJ.-P. Virtanen0J.-P. Virtanen1A. Julin2H. Handolin3T. Rantanen4M. Maksimainen5J. Hyyppä6H. Hyyppä7Aalto University School of Engineering; P.O. Box 14100, FI-00076 AALTO, Espoo, FinlandFinnish Geospatial Research Institute FGI; Geodeetinrinne 2, FI-02430 Masala, FinlandAalto University School of Engineering; P.O. Box 14100, FI-00076 AALTO, Espoo, FinlandAalto University School of Engineering; P.O. Box 14100, FI-00076 AALTO, Espoo, FinlandAalto University School of Engineering; P.O. Box 14100, FI-00076 AALTO, Espoo, FinlandAalto University School of Engineering; P.O. Box 14100, FI-00076 AALTO, Espoo, FinlandFinnish Geospatial Research Institute FGI; Geodeetinrinne 2, FI-02430 Masala, FinlandAalto University School of Engineering; P.O. Box 14100, FI-00076 AALTO, Espoo, FinlandVisualization applications are an increasingly significant component in the field of 3D geo-information. In them, the utilization of consumer grade virtual reality (VR) head mounted displays (HMD) has become a topical research question. It is notable, that in most presented implementations, the VR visualization is accomplished by a game engine. As game engines rely on textured mesh models as their conventional 3D asset format, the challenge in applying photogrammetric or laser scanning data is in producing models than are suitable for game engine use. We present an example of leveraging immersive visualization in geo-information, including the acquisition of data from the intended environment, processing it to a game engine compatible form, developing the required functions on the game engine and finally utilizing VR HMDs to deploy the application. The presented application combines 3D indoor models obtained via a commercial indoor mapping system, a 3D city model segment obtained by processing airborne laser scanning data, and a set of manually created 3D models. The performance of the application is evaluated on two different VR systems. The observed capabilities of interactive VR applications include: 1) intuitive and free exploration of 3D data, 2) ability of operate in different scales, and with different scales of data, 3) integration of different data types (such as 2D imaging and 3D models) in interactive scenes and 4) the possibility to leverage the rich interaction functions offered by the game engine platform. These capabilities could support several use cases in geo-information.https://www.int-arch-photogramm-remote-sens-spatial-inf-sci.net/XLIV-4-W1-2020/159/2020/isprs-archives-XLIV-4-W1-2020-159-2020.pdf
spellingShingle J.-P. Virtanen
J.-P. Virtanen
A. Julin
H. Handolin
T. Rantanen
M. Maksimainen
J. Hyyppä
H. Hyyppä
INTERACTIVE GEO-INFORMATION IN VIRTUAL REALITY – OBSERVATIONS AND FUTURE CHALLENGES
The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences
title INTERACTIVE GEO-INFORMATION IN VIRTUAL REALITY – OBSERVATIONS AND FUTURE CHALLENGES
title_full INTERACTIVE GEO-INFORMATION IN VIRTUAL REALITY – OBSERVATIONS AND FUTURE CHALLENGES
title_fullStr INTERACTIVE GEO-INFORMATION IN VIRTUAL REALITY – OBSERVATIONS AND FUTURE CHALLENGES
title_full_unstemmed INTERACTIVE GEO-INFORMATION IN VIRTUAL REALITY – OBSERVATIONS AND FUTURE CHALLENGES
title_short INTERACTIVE GEO-INFORMATION IN VIRTUAL REALITY – OBSERVATIONS AND FUTURE CHALLENGES
title_sort interactive geo information in virtual reality observations and future challenges
url https://www.int-arch-photogramm-remote-sens-spatial-inf-sci.net/XLIV-4-W1-2020/159/2020/isprs-archives-XLIV-4-W1-2020-159-2020.pdf
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