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  • Book
  • © 2018

Tangible Modeling with Open Source GIS

  • The first book to introduce a tangible interface for geospatial analysis and simulations
  • Includes a new chapter on coupling tangible interaction with 3D rendering engine enhances the modeling and design process through interactive, realistic rendering of modeled landscape in Blender, an open source 3D modeling and rendering engine
  • Explains how to create 3D landscape models from GIS data using technologies such as casting polymeric sand, CNC routing, and 3D printing, and how to interact with these models with near-real-time feedback on resulting processes and analyses
  • Teaches readers how to build their own Tangible Landscape system with free and open source software, and how to use it as a platform for developing new applications
  • Provides GRASS GIS workflows and python code snippets for analyzing topography, modeling surface water flow, analyzing viewsheds, designing trails and more
  • Introduces 3D rendering with geospatial data using Blender and generating realistic landscapes for immersive virtual environment, coupled with tangible interaction

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Softcover Book USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
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Table of contents (14 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xiv
  2. Introduction

    • Anna Petrasova, Brendan Harmon, Vaclav Petras, Payam Tabrizian, Helena Mitasova
    Pages 1-22
  3. System Configuration

    • Anna Petrasova, Brendan Harmon, Vaclav Petras, Payam Tabrizian, Helena Mitasova
    Pages 23-42
  4. Building Physical 3D Models

    • Anna Petrasova, Brendan Harmon, Vaclav Petras, Payam Tabrizian, Helena Mitasova
    Pages 43-64
  5. Tangible Interactions

    • Anna Petrasova, Brendan Harmon, Vaclav Petras, Payam Tabrizian, Helena Mitasova
    Pages 65-76
  6. Real-Time 3D Rendering and Immersion

    • Anna Petrasova, Brendan Harmon, Vaclav Petras, Payam Tabrizian, Helena Mitasova
    Pages 77-94
  7. Basic Landscape Analysis

    • Anna Petrasova, Brendan Harmon, Vaclav Petras, Payam Tabrizian, Helena Mitasova
    Pages 95-106
  8. Surface Water Flow Modeling

    • Anna Petrasova, Brendan Harmon, Vaclav Petras, Payam Tabrizian, Helena Mitasova
    Pages 107-118
  9. Soil Erosion Modeling

    • Anna Petrasova, Brendan Harmon, Vaclav Petras, Payam Tabrizian, Helena Mitasova
    Pages 119-125
  10. Viewshed Analysis

    • Anna Petrasova, Brendan Harmon, Vaclav Petras, Payam Tabrizian, Helena Mitasova
    Pages 127-132
  11. Trail Planning

    • Anna Petrasova, Brendan Harmon, Vaclav Petras, Payam Tabrizian, Helena Mitasova
    Pages 133-145
  12. Solar Radiation Dynamics

    • Anna Petrasova, Brendan Harmon, Vaclav Petras, Payam Tabrizian, Helena Mitasova
    Pages 147-153
  13. Wildfire Spread Simulation

    • Anna Petrasova, Brendan Harmon, Vaclav Petras, Payam Tabrizian, Helena Mitasova
    Pages 155-163
  14. Coastal Modeling

    • Anna Petrasova, Brendan Harmon, Vaclav Petras, Payam Tabrizian, Helena Mitasova
    Pages 165-171
  15. Landscape Design

    • Anna Petrasova, Brendan Harmon, Vaclav Petras, Payam Tabrizian, Helena Mitasova
    Pages 173-183
  16. Back Matter

    Pages 185-202

About this book

This book provides an overview of the latest developments in the fast growing field of tangible user interfaces.  It presents a new type of modeling environment where the users interact with geospatial data and simulations using 3D physical landscape model coupled with 3D rendering engine. Multiple users can modify the physical model, while it is being scanned, providing input for geospatial analysis and simulations. The results are then visualized by projecting images or animations back on the physical model while photorealistic renderings of human views are displayed on a computer screen or in a virtual reality headset. New techniques and software which couple the hardware set-up with open source GRASS GIS and Blender rendering engine, make the system instantly applicable to a wide range of applications in geoscience education, landscape design, computer games, stakeholder engagement, and many others.

 This second edition introduces a new  more powerful version of the tangible modeling environment with multiple types of interaction, including polymeric sand molding, placement of markers, and delineation of areas using colored felt patches. Chapters on coupling tangible interaction with 3D rendering engine and immersive virtual environment, and a case study integrating the tools presented throughout this book,  demonstrate the second generation of the system - Immersive Tangible Landscape - that enhances the modeling and design process through interactive rendering of modeled landscape.

 This book explains main components of Immersive Tangible Landscape System, and provides the basic workflows for running the applications. The fundamentals of the system are followed by series of example applications in geomorphometry, hydrology, coastal and fluvial flooding, fire spread, landscape and park design, solarenergy, trail planning, and others.

 Graduate  and undergraduate students and educators in geospatial science, earth science, landscape architecture, computer graphics and games, natural resources and many others disciplines, will find this book useful  as a reference or secondary textbook.  Researchers who want to build and further develop the system will most likely be the core audience, but also anybody interested in geospatial modeling applications (hazard risk management, hydrology, solar energy, coastal  and fluvial flooding, fire spread, landscape and park design) will want to purchase this book. 

Authors and Affiliations

  • Center for Geospatial Analytics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, USA

    Anna Petrasova, Vaclav Petras, Payam Tabrizian, Helena Mitasova

  • Robert Reich School of Landscape Architecture, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, USA

    Brendan Harmon

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

Softcover Book USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access