Information rich temporal virtual models using X3D
Introduction
Computer three-dimensional (3D) modelling allows the visualisation of objects that would otherwise be impossible either because they no longer exist, such as historical artefacts or have been significantly altered, such as buildings which have had additions or sections removed. Computer modelling also allows the user to explore and manipulate the objects; they can be ‘flown over’, ‘spun round’ and ‘entered’. In the past, technical limitations have restricted the distribution and display of three-dimensional models by personal computers. However, recent developments in computer hardware, and in particular the ready availability of graphics cards capable of rendering three-dimensional models, along with the use of high-speed connections mean that it is now possible to make virtual visits to places. Models, on their own however, do not always contain sufficient data to ‘tell the whole story’. For example visits to a real historical site invariably involve the visitor seeking additional information such as that to be found in a guide book. In addition it would be advantageous to make a virtual visit to more than one state of the artefact as the archaeological structure evolves and changes over time, to ‘see’ the whole picture.
This paper examines the use of the new standard for three-dimensional modelling, eXtensible three-Dimensions (X3D), to display models over the World Wide Web. It explores the relationship of the new standard with other eXtensible Mark-up Language (XML) technologies. The method developed demonstrates the potential of these new technologies to combine two different data types (3D geometric data and temporal data in the form of text) and has applications in many visualisation fields other than Archaeology. It could be applied to many diverse applications such as the display of the assembly sequence of components and associated instructions, specification information alongside construction models or medical applications. All of these uses require abstract data, a temporal component and three-dimensional visualisation.
The concept of augmenting sensory rich virtual environments with abstract information is discussed by Bowman et al. [1] in their work on Information Rich Virtual Environments (IRVEs) where they call for more work into three key areas: implementation, display and interaction. This paper demonstrates how the methodology described by Hetherington et al. [2] can be applied to a larger scale data set to provide an IRVE using a client side Web browser as the means of display. It extends the method by exploring the use of proprietary software to create the model, working with more complex data and dynamically altering the filtering mechanism
There were three objectives of the work described in this paper:
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to investigate methods for the construction of a 3D temporal model using X3D for display within a web browser window,
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to investigate methods for the display of temporal data associated with the model in the same web browser window,
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to investigate procedures to visualise different temporal states of the model.
Section snippets
Background and underlying concepts
This section examines related work in order to draw together a number of different strands that have all influenced the development of this work. It looks first at the use of Web3D to view models of historical objects, it then looks at the use of XML to store historical data and finally at work which combines both general XML and specific X3D technologies.
Building, displaying and filtering a complex model
This section describes the process of creating a complex temporal model of Stonehenge. It outlines the problems encountered with organising the data into different time groupings and incorporating the abstract temporal data. It then discusses how the one data source can be used to generate different 3D representations corresponding to different times and how it can be filtered to generate and display the associated temporal data. The finished model, with the three states of the model
Conclusions
The objectives of the work described in this paper have been met by the application of the technologies XML, X3D, SAI, XPath and XSLT. These technologies can be used to display and manipulate a model along with associated temporal data. The example employed, Stonehenge, demonstrates real-time client side manipulation and display of the model and associated textual information through the use of a Web Browser and Plugin.
The methods for the construction of a 3D temporal model using X3D for
Acknowledgements
Special thanks to a number of people who have helped with this work. Neil and John Hill who provided the 3ds Max model and descriptive copy of Stonehenge. Toni Parisi and Dave Arendash for assistance with Flux.
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