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How Can You Make Terrain Look More Realistic?
How Can You Make Terrain Look
More Realistic?
Digital terrain models aren’t just limited to flat images (like a DRG) on a
computer screen or a paper map—remember, constructs such as DEMs are
2.5D models, and since they have a z-value, that z-value can be visualized
in a 3D view. It’s more accurate to say these types of visualizations are really pseudo-3D views since they’re really 2.5D, not really a full 3D model.
Setting up a pseudo-3D view of a digital terrain model involves examining
it at a perspective view (or an oblique view). Points or raster cells are
elevated to the height of their z-value and the resultant model is shown
from an angular view. In this way, mountain peaks can be seen jutting up
from the surface in the same way a meteor crater looks like a depression
in the ground.
In many geospatial technology applications, the model then becomes interactive, allowing the user to move or “fly” over the terrain, skimming over
the surface and banking past mountains. Beyond viewing the terrain in perspective view, there are numerous ways to make the terrain more realisticlooking, such as artificially altering its appearance or draping imagery over
the surface (see Figure 13.9 for an example of a terrain surface shown in perspective view with a digital topographic map overlaid to show off the contour
lines in relation to the pseudo-3D model).
Remember that a DEM (or other digital terrain model) is just a map
or grid of elevation surfaces. Like any other map, it can be displayed with
pseudo-3D a term
often used to describe
the perspective view of
a terrain model since it
is often a 2.5D model,
not a full 3D model.
perspective
view viewing a
digital terrain model
at an oblique angle
in which it takes on a
“three-dimensional”
appearance.
FIGURE 13.9 A pseudo3D view of a digital
terrain model enhanced
with a digital topographic
map displayed over the
terrain. (Source: National
Geographic Society. Esri®
ArcGIS Explorer graphical user
interface Copyright © Esri. All
rights reserved.)
How Can You Make Terrain Look More Realistic?
How Can You Make Terrain Look
More Realistic?
Digital terrain models aren’t just limited to flat images (like a DRG) on a
computer screen or a paper map—remember, constructs such as DEMs are
2.5D models, and since they have a z-value, that z-value can be visualized
in a 3D view. It’s more accurate to say these types of visualizations are really pseudo-3D views since they’re really 2.5D, not really a full 3D model.
Setting up a pseudo-3D view of a digital terrain model involves examining
it at a perspective view (or an oblique view). Points or raster cells are
elevated to the height of their z-value and the resultant model is shown
from an angular view. In this way, mountain peaks can be seen jutting up
from the surface in the same way a meteor crater looks like a depression
in the ground.
In many geospatial technology applications, the model then becomes interactive, allowing the user to move or “fly” over the terrain, skimming over
the surface and banking past mountains. Beyond viewing the terrain in perspective view, there are numerous ways to make the terrain more realisticlooking, such as artificially altering its appearance or draping imagery over
the surface (see Figure 13.9 for an example of a terrain surface shown in perspective view with a digital topographic map overlaid to show off the contour
lines in relation to the pseudo-3D model).
Remember that a DEM (or other digital terrain model) is just a map
or grid of elevation surfaces. Like any other map, it can be displayed with
pseudo-3D a term
often used to describe
the perspective view of
a terrain model since it
is often a 2.5D model,
not a full 3D model.
perspective
view viewing a
digital terrain model
at an oblique angle
in which it takes on a
“three-dimensional”
appearance.
FIGURE 13.9 A pseudo3D view of a digital
terrain model enhanced
with a digital topographic
map displayed over the
terrain. (Source: National
Geographic Society. Esri®
ArcGIS Explorer graphical user
interface Copyright © Esri. All
rights reserved.)