🗺️ DataNET · Quick Tutorial 4 of 8

Prepare Data for 3D Visualization

Stage data layers (rasters, vectors, images) for 3D visualization within DataNET. Load from DataNET library, external web services, or local uploads. Configure symbolization before rendering.

DataNET Tutorial 4 Prereq: MAGNET4WATER account 4 topics

This tutorial covers

  1. WMS
  2. WFS
  3. WCS

1Overview

This interface is used to prepare data (rasters, vectors, or images) for 3D visualization within DataNet. Users can visualize data layers from DataNet, from outside web data services, or they can upload their own data (or data downloaded from DataNet) for 3D visualization. The basic steps to prepare a Datanet layer for 3D visualization include:
1) select (check) a layer of interest from the Layer TreeView interface
2) define an area of interest in the map display by drawing a bounding box (Title Toolbar > Draw Tool > 'Irregular' or 'Regular).
3) Select a Service (WMS, WFS, or WCS) and specify options (or use defaults)

4) Click 'Show' and allow the 3D visualization to load (this may take a several seconds or longer, depending on the size/resolution of the data being prepared for 3D visualization).

Additional prompts will appear after clicking 'Show' if using the WCS Service (see more below).

2WMS

Select the WMS Service to prepare an image (screenshot) of the layer for 3D visualization. Note that the image layer will be "draped" on a "texture" that represents the land surface in the 3D visualization (a vertical offset can be applied within the 3D Display interface). The land surface texture is generated from the global DEM (Digital Elevation Model) data stored on the MAGNET Data Center. Or, the user can utilize the WCS service to prepare a DataNet raster DEM layer and create the texture. (User may also upload their own "texture" from a DEM file; this option is handled in the 3D Display interface.)

If preparing a data layer from DataNET, this requires that selected layer is available as WMS (i.e., it has lettered icon "M" (Wms next to it.). If multiple layers are selected and happen to overlap, the top-most (front-displayed) layer will be used in the 3D visualization.

If you want to prepare an image from an outside WMS service, you can enter the "Final" or full WMS (URL) request (with complete options, e.g., layer name, projection, bounding box, etc.) in the text field next to 'Data Url'.

You can also upload an image file for 3D visualization using the Upload File option.

The LayerName is used to assign ID to the layer, which is needed when dealing with the 3D visualization of multiple data layers (e.g., multiple vector files, a vector and raster file, etc.).

3WFS

If you want to prepare vector data (polygons, lines, or points) for 3D visualization, select the WFS Service. Similar to image 3D visualization, the vector layer will be "draped" on a "texture" that represents the land surface in the 3D visualization (a vertical offset can be applied within the 3D Display interface).

In the case of lines and polygons, portions that extended beyond the bounding box will be "trimmed" (or not included) in the 3D display.

The Max Feature option allows the user to specify how many feature will be transferred (e.g., in the case of many, many point data in the selection). This feature is currently disabled - more details coming soon!

If you want to prepare a vector from an outside WFS service, you can enter the "Final" or full WFS (URL) request (with complete options, e.g., layer name, projection, bounding box, etc.) in the text field next to 'Data Url' .

You can also upload a JSON file for 3D visualization using the Upload File option.

4WCS

If you want to prepare raster data (tiled/gridded data layer) for 3D visualization select the WCS Service. If the raster data is a DEM dataset, it can be used to create the "texture" for draping/overlay of additional image/vector layers.

Select the data resolution (grid-size) using the drop-down menu next to 'Data Res'. Units are in meters. DataNet will automatically perform sub-sampling if the selected resolution is different than the original data resolution. (A prompt will also appear after clicking 'Show' asking you if you want to use the original resolution instead.)

The Buffer % allows for adding a "buffer" around the bounding box for 3D visualization). In other words, the data will be expanded beyond the bounding box by an amount determined by the original size of the bounding box and the buffer percentage. For example, a 10% buffer means each edge of the bounding box will be expanded outward by 10%. (In this way the buffer "value" is always relative. If the original bounding box is small, the resulting buffer will be small, even for a large percentage.)

If you want to prepare a raster from an outside WCS service, you can enter the "Final" or full WFS (URL) request (with complete options, e.g., layer name, projection, bounding box, etc.) in the text field next to 'Data Url' .

You can also upload a raster file for 3D visualization using the Upload File option.