3D Visualisation3D VisualisationTool or Trap?Tool or Trap?

Drew BakerDrew Baker

3D Visualisation Centre3D Visualisation Centre

The University of WarwickThe University of Warwick

Ubiquitous Opening QuoteUbiquitous Opening Quote

““There are those who think that Virtual There are those who think that Virtual Reality may be the most important Reality may be the most important

development since man first chipped flint, development since man first chipped flint, and there are those who don’t know what and there are those who don’t know what

it is yet”it is yet”

Douglas Adams (1991).Douglas Adams (1991).

What is 3D Visualisation?What is 3D Visualisation?

VisualisationVisualisation Making a visible presentation of numerical data.Making a visible presentation of numerical data. An image that is similar to a visual perception.An image that is similar to a visual perception.

Three DimensionalThree Dimensional Of, relating to, having or existing in 3 dimensions.Of, relating to, having or existing in 3 dimensions. Having or appearing to have extension in depth.Having or appearing to have extension in depth. Treating many aspects of a subject, lifelike.Treating many aspects of a subject, lifelike.

3D Visualisation3D Visualisation A hypothetical multi dimensional visual world created A hypothetical multi dimensional visual world created

in digital form that permits the viewer to better in digital form that permits the viewer to better understand the underlying data or argument.understand the underlying data or argument.

It can be static, fixed view or interactive.It can be static, fixed view or interactive.

3D Visualisation as a tool.3D Visualisation as a tool.

Can help to understand a site.Can help to understand a site. Complex forms, multiple uses, many periods.Complex forms, multiple uses, many periods.

Can be used to “persuade” people.Can be used to “persuade” people. Public, officials, site owners.Public, officials, site owners.

Can be used to present information.Can be used to present information. Visitors, learners, untrained help.Visitors, learners, untrained help.

Can be used to stimulate debate.Can be used to stimulate debate. Hypothetical, theoretical, or just plain Hypothetical, theoretical, or just plain

controversial.controversial.

Iron Age “Village” Warwick CampusIron Age “Village” Warwick Campus

The Theatre of Pompey, RomeThe Theatre of Pompey, Rome

Shaftsbury Abbey, DorsetShaftsbury Abbey, Dorset

The Bouleuterion at ArriasosThe Bouleuterion at Arriasos

The Pro’s and the Con’sThe Pro’s and the Con’s

Enables user to better Enables user to better understand a possible understand a possible reality.reality.Interactive visualisations Interactive visualisations are experiential.are experiential.Promotes discussion and Promotes discussion and lateral thinking.lateral thinking.Responsive to changes in Responsive to changes in evidence and ideas.evidence and ideas.If employed properly If employed properly creates a corpus of creates a corpus of supporting data.supporting data.

Seductive – often Seductive – often visualisations are taken visualisations are taken on faith as fact.on faith as fact.Interactive visualisations Interactive visualisations are subjective.are subjective.Opens the scholar to Opens the scholar to critical attack.critical attack.Risks of the visualisation Risks of the visualisation never being finalised.never being finalised.Technical skill sets Technical skill sets required to produce required to produce quality visualisations.quality visualisations.

So 3d Visualisation Tool or Trap?So 3d Visualisation Tool or Trap?

It can enhance research.It can enhance research.It can create new data and knowledge forms.It can create new data and knowledge forms.It can be used to inform and persuade.It can be used to inform and persuade.

BUTBUT

Practices must be adhered to ensure quality Practices must be adhered to ensure quality visualisations.visualisations.Methods enabling the visualisation to be audited must be Methods enabling the visualisation to be audited must be developed.developed.Strategies must be employed to understand the process Strategies must be employed to understand the process of developing visualisations.of developing visualisations.

Obligatory Closing QuoteObligatory Closing Quote

““When Columbus was sailing west in his When Columbus was sailing west in his quest for a round earth, he reached a point quest for a round earth, he reached a point where he was hopelessly lost. Legend has where he was hopelessly lost. Legend has

it that he gathered all the sailors and it that he gathered all the sailors and exclaimed ‘We have arrived at uncharted exclaimed ‘We have arrived at uncharted

waters much sooner than I had waters much sooner than I had anticipated. Rejoice!’. This is the current anticipated. Rejoice!’. This is the current

situation [with 3D Visualisation].”situation [with 3D Visualisation].”John R. Vacca (1996).John R. Vacca (1996).