What do I need to show?

One the key advantages of 3D presentations is that they provide perspective. They enable the viewer to better understand the relationship between the subject matter and the physical structure of the land. For example, 3D views provide a means to present a forest management plan that clearly shows proposed cut and plantation areas in relationship to the slopes and valleys of the landscape. A landscape architect can use a 3D model to illustrate proposed land uses or environmental rehabilitation projects.

Before constructing a 3D model, one needs to consider what the model is intended to show. If the purpose is to show a real world landscape as though you were viewing it through an airplane window, then an elevation model draped with multi-spectral satellite imagery or aerial photographs may meet the requirement. For models with a more specific purpose it may be necessary to combine additional thematic data from a GIS or even to generate interpolations through spatial modeling.

One way of analysing your data is simply by viewing it. When data is displayed in 3D, new relationships, trends and patterns often become apparent and are easier to understand and communicate to others.