Modelling and Visualizing Holographic 3D Geographical Scenes with Timely Data Based on the HoloLens

Abstract

Commonly, a three-dimensional (3D) geographic information system (GIS) is based on a two-dimensional (2D) visualization platform, hindering the understanding and expression of the real world in 3D space that further limits user cognition and understanding of 3D geographic information. Mixed reality (MR) adopts 3D display technology, which enables users to recognize and understand a computer-generated world from the perspective of 3D glasses and solves the problem that users are restricted to the perspective of a 2D screen, with a broad application foreground. However, there is a gap, especially dynamically, in modelling and visualizing a holographic 3D geographical Scene with GIS data/information under the development mechanism of a mixed reality system (e.g., the Microsoft HoloLens). This paper attempts to propose a design architecture (HoloDym3DGeoSce) to model and visualize holographic 3D geographical scenes with timely data based on mixed reality technology and the Microsoft HoloLens. The HoloDym3DGeoSce includes two modules, 3D geographic scene modelling with timely data and HoloDym3DGeoSce interactive design. 3D geographic scene modelling with timely data dynamically creates 3D geographic scenes based on Web services, providing materials and content for the HoloDym3DGeoSce system. The HoloDym3DGeoSce interaction module includes two methods: Human–computer physical interaction and human–computer virtual–real interaction. The human–computer physical interaction method provides an interface for users to interact with virtual geographic scenes. The human–computer virtual–real interaction method maps virtual geographic scenes to physical space to achieve virtual and real fusion. According to the proposed architecture design scheme, OpenStreetMap data and the BingMap Server are used as experimental data to realize the application of mixed reality technology to the modelling, rendering, and interacting of 3D geographic scenes, providing users with a stronger and more realistic 3D geographic information experience, and more natural human–computer GIS interactions. The experimental results show that the feasibility and practicability of the scheme have good prospects for further development.