3-Dimensional GIS and Visualisations

It is often difficult for people to interpret traditional 2-dimensional drawings and imagine how an area will look after substantial change such as restoration, tree planting or landscaping. Walk-throughs and fly-throughs can also help promote areas to potential visitors.

The above images are screen shots from a visualisation for Wexham Nurseries in Slough. It was created using a combination of aerial photos, OS height data and digital photos taken during a site visit.

As well creating different options for a site, visualisations can also be used with small stakeholder groups where features such as trees or playgrounds can be moved around live on screen.

Using European Union funding through the Interreg IIIb project SAUL, Groundwork has developed skills in creating:

•  fly-throughs

•  interactive walk-throughs

•  using visualisations as a community planning tool

The two images below show different approaches for a restored site - one 'formal' and the other 'informal'.