Datascape Tutorial 2 - Visualising GPS Data from DadenMedia on Vimeo.
This second video tutorial shows you how to import a file with GPS data and display it on Open Street Maps in Datascape2XL. The same process will work for any data which has latitude and longitude fields. The video also shows you how to use the vertical axis as either altitude or time.
Also available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3c0W7rKyw4
We've just launched a survey on the use of, and views on, 3D data visualisation, and on visual analytics more generally. The survey updates the one we did back in 2012, so it means that we can take a view on how things have changed over the last 4 years, as well as analysing the latest results. We'll be publishing the results in 2-3 months.
So please find 10 minutes to spare and take the survey.
In trying to work out how best to explain Virtual Reality and the application options open to clients I think we've decided that there are fundamentally three different types of VR app:
- The Photosphere
- The Object Viewer
- The Environment Explorer
Of course there will by hybrids of these, and more advanced versions may look nothing like the simpler versions, but considering how one interacts with the environment, and how the experience is technically prepared we think that these three sum it up pretty well - especially for those trying to grapple with how they can use VR in their business. Over the next month we hope to release examples of all three to the Android Play store, with releases to the iOS app store in May.
Photospheres
| What is it? | Use a camera to take a set of photos to build a complete spherical photo, and then in VR put the user in the centre of that sphere so they can look all around. You can even take such spherical photos of 3D model builds (e.g. architects models) so as to deliver them to VR at lower bandwidths/file sizes. It is also possible to put 3D objects on/in front of the sphere in order to create some animation and interactivity. Jury out as to whether they are "2D" or "3D" photospheres! | |
| Pros/Strengths | Very quick to produce - about a couple of hours per sphere, including taking photos (about 150ish) and stitching them together. Can use a standard DSLR or a dedicated 360 degree camera. Can also do as video. Can link spheres together to provide a virtual tour. Lets you show users exactly what you want them to see. Great for showing off new buildings/property developments or doing very simple "virtual tours" of heritage sites. | |
| Cons/Weaknesses | Limited interactivity Need access to site Can't see "round the corner" if it hasn't been photographed. |
Object Viewer
| What is it? | Create a 3D digital model of an object and then let the user look "around" the object in 3D. So whilst the Photosphere is about looking out from a central point the 3D object explorer is about looking in at a central point/object. Could use a photosphere as a backdrop to provide some context. | |
| Pros/Strengths | Can link multiple objects together to create a 3D catalogue. Can include animation of the object and "exploded view" type models to show detail and workings Great for showing off manufactured products, heritage objects, and for STEM education | |
| Cons/Weaknesses | Need to create 3D model - either by handbuilding (if want animation etc) or by photogrammetry or LIDAR scanning Don't fully see context Can't really "use" the object |
Environment Explorer
| What is it? | Create a 3D landscape or other environment (including building interior, body interior etc) and then let the user explore the environment with as much structure as you wish to add - from pure exploration to a very focussed lesson. Can also include virtual characters - both bot driven and other users. This is about trying to give users the real "virtual world" experience. Most of the more "advanced" forms of VR (e.g. simulators/simulation) and games are versions of this. | |
| Pros/Strengths | Can let the user explore and interact with the environment at will. Can model real-life/real-world, or something fantastic or otherwise unreachable due to distance/size/cost/risk. Can make multi-user, and/or use bots Can overlay a full educational/training experience | |
| Cons/Weaknesses | Need to create 3D environment - cost/time will be very proportional to extent and complexity Graphic quality may not be as good as photosphere - but can be changed dynamically, unlike a photosphere |
You can download a summary of all three in our new Get Started in VR pdf.
Was looking through the 19 Million Project website yesterday and found some good links to refugee data of various types, from UNHCR and other organisations. So here's a quick visualisations of the refugees arriving at various points around the mediterranean for each month of 2014 and 2016. Certainly brought home to me both how distributed the refugee routes are, the seasonality of some routes, and just how the crisis has mounted in the Eastern mediterranean.
You can view a short video fly-through of the data on Twitter - https://twitter.com/davidburden/status/730326019169767424
Hypergrid Business have posted an article on our Fieldscapes and Datascape developments.
We're beginning to port some of our favourite Datascape 1 demos to Datascape2XL. First up is stars. This is a database of 120,000 stars and goes like a dream in Datascape2XL on my laptop. In the DS1 version we could only handle half the database.
You can see a short video flythough in my tweet at https://twitter.com/davidburden/status/728577150694113281
The big challenge for DS2 will be the 13 million record Kepler Objects of Interest database!
We'll also add exoplanets to this plot as well.
