3D GIS: CURRENT STATUS AND PERSPECTIVES

Currently, variety of software is already capable of handling a wide range of spatial problems, beginning with approaches for describing spatial objects to quite complex analysis and 3D visualisation. However, increasing number of applications need more advanced tools for representing and analysing the 3D world. Among all types of systems dealing with spatial information, GIS has proven to be the most sophisticated system that operates with the largest scope of objects (spatial and semantic), relationships and provide means to analyse them. However, what is the status of the 3D GIS? It is the aim of this paper to find the answer by analysing both software available and efforts of researchers. An overview of several commercial systems and a 3D case study performed in Oracle and MicroStation provides knowledge about the 3D functionality offered by commercial systems. The most significan