GeoServNet 3D Analyst: Enabling Web-based 3D Visualization and Analysis

This paper explores the way in which GIS, Virtual Reality (VR) and web-based application are closely integrated through the link of Java 3D for spatial data visualization, analysis and exploration. Integration takes advantage of each component, and enables the dynamic 3D content to be built, visualized, interacted with and deployed all on the Web. To accomplish this, a viewer called GSN has been designed and developed under a client / server architecture to enable the interactive creation of a 3D scene from 2D spatial data by integrating Internet geographical information system (GIS). This web-based prototype viewer is designed and implemented with Java 3D technology. This viewer comprises a 3D visualization tool, a 3D analysis tool, and a Java interface, which are respectively used for the creation of 3D models from 2D maps, surface analysis (e.g. profile creation, visibility analysis, 3D location, critical surface— flood analysis, etc.) with the output 3D scene. It is demonstrated that this viewer provides an integrated environment, facilitating users to gain insights from the interaction with virtual environments that are built from existing GIS databases