Title
Visualizing dynamic geosciences phenomena using an octree-based view-dependent LOD strategy within virtual globes
Abstract
Geoscientists build dynamic models to simulate various natural phenomena for a better understanding of our planet. Interactive visualizations of these geoscience models and their outputs through virtual globes on the Internet can help the public understand the dynamic phenomena related to the Earth more intuitively. However, challenges arise when the volume of four-dimensional data (4D), 3D in space plus time, is huge for rendering. Datasets loaded from geographically distributed data servers require synchronization between ingesting and rendering data. Also the visualization capability of display clients varies significantly in such an online visualization environment; some may not have high-end graphic cards. To enhance the efficiency of visualizing dynamic volumetric data in virtual globes, this paper proposes a systematic framework, in which an octree-based multiresolution data structure is implemented to organize time series 3D geospatial data to be used in virtual globe environments. This framework includes a view-dependent continuous level of detail (LOD) strategy formulated as a synchronized part of the virtual globe rendering process. Through the octree-based data retrieval process, the LOD strategy enables the rendering of the 4D simulation at a consistent and acceptable frame rate. To demonstrate the capabilities of this framework, data of a simulated dust storm event are rendered in World Wind, an open source virtual globe. The rendering performances with and without the octree-based LOD strategy are compared. The experimental results show that using the proposed data structure and processing strategy significantly enhances the visualization performance when rendering dynamic geospatial phenomena in virtual globes.
Year
DOI
Venue
2011
10.1016/j.cageo.2011.04.003
Computers & Geosciences
Keywords
Field
DocType
Geovisualization,Virtual globe,Octree,Level of detail (LOD),World Wind
Geospatial analysis,Geovisualization,Data structure,Computer graphics (images),Data retrieval,Visualization,Computer science,Level of detail,Rendering (computer graphics),Octree
Journal
Volume
Issue
ISSN
37
9
0098-3004
Citations 
PageRank 
References 
13
0.66
21
Authors
5
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Jing Li116913.32
Huayi Wu236442.38
Chaowei Yang384156.47
David Wong417321.12
Jibo Xie512510.32