Tangible Modeling with Open Source GIS

This book provides an overview of the latestdevelopments in the fast growing field of tangible user interfaces. Itpresents a new type of modeling environment where the users interact withgeospatial data and simulations using 3D physical landscape model coupledwith 3D rendering engine. Multiple users can modify the physical model,while it is being scanned, providing input for geospatial analysis andsimulations. The results are then visualized by projecting images oranimations back on the physical model while photorealistic renderings ofhuman views are displayed on a computer screen or in a virtual realityheadset. New techniques and software which couple the hardware set-upwith open source GRASS GIS and Blender rendering engine, make thesystem instantly applicable to a wide range of applications in geoscienceeducation, landscape design, computer games, stakeholder engagement, andmany others. This second edition introduces a new more powerful version of the tangiblemodeling environment with multiple types of interaction, includingpolymeric sand molding, placement of markers, and delineation of areasusing colored felt patches. Chapters on coupling tangible interaction with3D rendering engine and immersive virtual environment, and a case studyintegrating the tools presented throughout this book, demonstrate the secondgeneration of the system - Immersive Tangible Landscape - that enhancesthe modeling and design process through interactive rendering of modeledlandscape. This book explains main components of Immersive Tangible LandscapeSystem, and provides the basic workflows for running the applications. Thefundamentals of the system are followed by series of example applicationsin geomorphometry, hydrology, coastal and fluvial flooding, fire spread,landscape and park design, solarenergy, trail planning, and others. Graduate and undergraduate students and educators ingeospatial science, earth science, landscape architecture, computer graphicsand games, natural resources and many others disciplines, will find this book useful asa reference or secondary textbook. Researchers who want to build and furtherdevelop the system will most likely be the core audience, but also anybody interestedin geospatial modeling applications (hazard risk management, hydrology, solarenergy, coastal and fluvial flooding, fire spread, landscape and park design)will want to purchase this book.