The following is my abstract submitted to the call for presentations at the
5th International Symposium on Digital Earth
(ISDE5).
SPHERICAL METAPHOR (SPHERIPHOR) FOR GEOSCOPE
MULTI-DIMENSIONAL DATA VISUALIZATION
This technology demonstration offers a innovative method for visualizing
multi-dimensional data on a half-sphere (full-dome)
Geoscope. The intent is to
realize the Geoscope vision of R. Buckminster Fuller as stated in his
Critical
Path, “With the Geoscope humanity would be able to recognize formerly invisible
patterns and thereby to forecast and plan in vastly greater magnitude than
heretofore.”
While Virtual Globe technology has advanced considerably, Fuller’s original
Geoscope design for a suspended, computer-controlled, globe for large audiences
remains mostly unfulfilled.
There are more than 100 digital dome planetarium theaters worldwide. Their
inside-out viewing and computer-driven capabilities are inspiring. Complete
digital dome systems can be obtained for a fraction of the cost estimated by
Fuller for a large-scale Geoscope (1962). However, an outside-in viewable,
suspended Geoscope awaits practical realization.
At the Intel Rio Grande Innovation Centre, where I am Director, we have on
display a nine LCD screens controlled by a single powerful desktop computer
using off-the-shelf components at a nominal cost. Similar components can be
adapted to create a small Geoscope.
3D animation demonstrates a portable Geoscope design which includes a
full-dome projection system. Small, powerful projectors are arranged
symmetrically around the outside of a translucent dome. The dome, approximately
3.4 meters in diameter, is hung from a frame which also supports the projectors.
Combined image resolution is 8-10 megapixels. The ephemeral frame is 10.6 meters
in diameter and can itself be floor-mounted or hung by cables.
The Geoscope is shown being erected in a high-school gymnasium. A large
audience on bleachers views a hemi-spherical projection of the Earth nearly
unobstructed. Because projectors are outside of the dome projecting inward, the
interior of the dome is completely unobstructed for a small number of occupants
to participate in a 360-degree immersive experience.
Projection areas are arranged around the dome based on a polyhedral design
providing several benefits: simplified
UV mapping, minimal projection area
overlap feathering, and optimized pixel resolution.
Lastly, the demonstration unveils a novel spherical metaphor for
multi-dimensional data visualization on the Geoscope. This spherical metaphor,
or to coin a term “Spheriphor,” addresses the need for displaying data that is
not necessarily geo-referenced.
Significant benefit accrues from visualizing geo-referenced data overlaid on
global Earth maps. In addition, using a Spheriphor, the Geoscope offers an
opportunity to visualize high-density, multi-dimensional data with non-GIS
metaphors. Virtual Globes may also use the Spheriphor to display non-GIS data.
3D animation demonstrates how the metaphysical Spheriphor design is
implemented on a physical Geoscope to enable a cognitively empowering
environment. The intent is to enhance humans’ ability to interface with
multi-dimensional data sets using a fully-immersive, full-dome, outside-in,
projection system.
The Spheriphor departs from the way that spreadsheets and charts use mostly
rectangular, flat display formats. With the Geoscope we are no longer
constrained with thinking about data inside a box; using the Cartesian framework
to visualize data. The Spheriphor opens a door into a new universe of rich
visual metaphors based on spherical geodesic geometry and a
Whole Systems
Framework.
As an example of a Spheriphor application, the Buckminster Fuller Institute (BFI)
Design Revolution Project Library is given a project tracking interface on the Geoscope. BFI tracks a large number of projects with design artifacts ranging
from micro-cosmic nanostructures to macro-cosmic global infrastructure
solutions. The Spheriphor promises to aid the
Design Science Revolution and the
Design Science Planning Process by making visible the patterns of rapidly
advancing technology.
The Spheriphor uses spherical coordinates to visualize multi-dimensional data
on the Geoscope. In this demonstration, phi φ (zenith angle, or latitude)
represents the Design Science Planning phase. The Define Problem phase is close
to zenith and the Develop Artifacts phase is close to the horizon. Theta θ
(azimuth angle, or longitude) represents the macro-to-micro scale of the design
artifact.
3D animation demonstrates the Spheriphor use-case scenario in detail. Click
on a project and it rises to the zenith of the dome. Geodesic lines connect this
project with other designs showing the macro-to-micro inter-dependencies of
components and systems. In this way, Buckminster Fuller’s principle of
Synergetic Advantage may be visually detected.
Technical Requirements: The entire demonstration is played from a
single Quicktime movie file. The 3D animation is developed with
POV-Ray. All
POV-Ray
scene description language source code for the 3D animation, Spheriphor and Geoscope design is available from my personal website at:
www.karmatetra.com/isde5/
Attendees may also view examples of my past work on this website.
>Back to top.
“With the Geoscope humanity would be able to recognize formerly invisible
patterns and thereby to forecast and plan in vastly greater magnitude than
heretofore.
“For the first time in all human history humanity’s function as local
Universe information-gatherer and local Univers problem-solver will be a
practical reality, using the whole of Earth’s comprehensive resources and data,
and incisive, computer-augmented problem-solving capabilities with all
humanity’s spontaneous democratic participation, allowing humankind to use its
intellect to the fullest in attempting to make our existence successful.”
Even using today's technology, the Geoscope and Fuller's concept for a "World
Resources Simulation Center" is still an ambitious project in terms of hardware,
modeling software, programming, and data collection/analysis.
Even using today's technology, the Geoscope is an ambitious project in terms
of hardware, programming, and data collection/analysis. The EARTHscope is a step
towards realizing this dream. Using readily available software, web-friendly
presentations of critical issues can be quickly built and easily displayed
almost anywhere in the world.
Our hope is that ES will be the first in a new series of dramatically
effective educational tools for positive world change
When maps are combined with supporting graphics, imagery, sound and text, all
the essential ingredients are present for an engaging geo-storytelling
experience.
By increasing the interactivity of maps to include the ability to turn on and
off layers of visual information, zoom and pan from global to local view, and
animate changes over time, the depth of the story is significantly enhanced.
The EARTHscope (ES) concept is based on Fuller's designs for an immersive,
200-foot Geoscope globe that would display world data and trends in real time.
In 1962, R. Buckminster Fuller published plans for a, "giant, 200-foot
diameter... miniature earth -- the most accurate global representation of our
planet ever to be realized." The Geoscope would be a massive 3-D educational
environment, using an array of computers and databases to display real-time and
historical data on nearly any world situation.
GIS is a collection of computer hardware, software, and geographic data for
capturing, managing, analyzing, and displaying all forms of geographically
referenced information.
The goal of VTP (Virtual Terrain Project) is to foster the creation of tools
for easily constructing any part of the real world in interactive, 3D digital
form.
>Back to top.
- http://bfi.org/node/34 BFI,
Design Revolution > Project Library
-
http://bfi.org/files/pdfs/educators/DS_intro.pdf BFI, Comprehensive
Anticipatory Design Science, see page 8, Whole Systems Coordinate System
- http://www.earthscope.com/
EARTHscope is a project of the Buckminster Fuller Institute (BFI), and the
leading edge of our spaceshipEARTH initiative.
-
http://www.earthscope.com/EARTHscope_v3/ EARTHscope interactive
library
- http://www.earthscope.org/
NSF project to investigate the structure and evolution of the North American
continent and the physical processes controlling earthquakes and volcanic
eruptions
- http://www.unavco.org/ UNAVCO
is a non-profit, membership-governed consortium, supports and promotes Earth
science by advancing high-precision techniques for the measurement and
understanding of deformation.
- http://pboweb.unavco.org/
UNAVCO Plate Boundary Observatory
- http://www.earthslot.org/
EarthSLOT, Earth Science, Logistics, and Outreach Terrainbases
- http://www.gis.com/ Graphical
Information Systems
-
http://www.geographynetwork.com/ Geography Network, share geographic
data and services through a global network of publishers
-
http://www.vterrain.org/Imagery/WholeEarth/index.html VTP,
whole-earth images
-
http://www.vterrain.org/Textures/spherical.html VTP, spherical
textures
- http://www.modsim.org/
modsim.org is a news portal for the visual simulation industry professionals
-
http://www.sustainability-geoscope.net/ Sustainability Geoscope
- http://www.rmi.org/ Rocky Mountain
Institute (RMI) is an independent, entrepreneurial, nonprofit organization.
>Back to top.
>Back to top.
|