Terraform-3D
Extensions and Modifications |
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Sponsor Information:
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Deborah Lee Soltesz, dsoltesz@usgs.gov
Stuart C. Sides, ssides@usgs.gov
US Geological Survey, 2255 N. Gemini Drive, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
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Project Overview:
Terraform3D is a terrain visualization package that allows the user to
perform real-time visualization of digital elevation data and render high
quality images and animations. The software is platform independent, and
is written in C++ using GLUT and OpenGL for the real-time visualization
tool. The package uses POV-Ray freeware for high quality renderings and
animation generation, allowing the renderings to be generated by a single
workstation or a cluster running the PVM-POV patch for POV-Ray. Project
documentation can be found at:
http://TerraWeb.wr.usgs.gov/TerraForm3D/
Currently, the real-time visualization is slow, some of the features
need improvements, and there are several new features users would like
to have added to the package. The project entails making improvements,
corrections, and upgrades to the Terraform3D package. To list a few improvements
needed:
- VRML export
- Import TIFF, TGA, and raw image types (LandSat satellite data for
example) as elevation grids or textures
- Constant velocity in exported fly-by animations
- Texture overlay in real-time visualization
- Improved real-time visualization performance
The project entails both working within the current design to improve
existing components, and designing new components to add new features
to the package.
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Prerequisites: |
Required: Understanding of the mathematics of manipulating
objects in three-dimensional space and projecting a scene containing
those objects onto a two-dimensional image space (linear algebra).
Ability to read and code C++. Familiarity with the Microsoft Windows
and Unix/Linux operating systems.Helpful: Familiarity with OpenGL
or (similar 3D graphics language) and GLUT and GLUI libraries, POV-RAY
scripting language, and terrain modeling and scientific visualization
concepts.
Optional: Ability to design and code in Java, specifically
Java3D, depending on the team's proposed problem solution.
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Equipment Requirements: |
Required: In order to test cross-platform compatibility,
the team should have access to one each of an IBM-compatible running
Windows 2000, a UNIX workstation (preferably True64), and a Linux
workstation (preferably SuSE). All systems will need a C++ compiler
or Java interpreter (dependent on proposed solution) and OpenGL.
At least one system will need POV-RAY.Students will be expected
to develop on their own or University equipment. Occasional supervised
access can be granted to any of the listed platforms for testing
purposes they do not have access to through the University.
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Deliverables: |
The student team will be expected to propose and deliver:
- an acceptable solution to the problem in the form of a final
software package that works correctly on at least the Windows
2000 and Linux platforms;
- demonstrations and working upgrades in regular increments; well
designed and documented code; and user and programmer documentation.
Electronic delivery of all documentation in PDF, HTML, or Microsoft
Word is preferred. Documentation and reports should be formatted
so they will make usable two-sided hardcopies, are readable on a
computer screen, and can easily be converted for use on a 16-bit
color personal digital assistant whenever possible. All deliverables
should follow basic accessibility standards that will allow us to
use and distribute the information, maintaining compliance with
the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Amendments of 1998, Section 508.
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