Research & Professional Activity
DESIGN AND THE COMPUTER
Creating Models for Visual Impact Assessment
Many factors contribute to how an observer responds to changes in the environment. In evaluating the visual impact of a potential project, issues of perception and meaning of land forms must be considered. It is increasingly evident that policy decisions concerning land use, tourism, transportation planning, and industrial development must be considered in relation to their impact on the quality of the built environment. These changes must be analyzed in three dimensions. The paper will discuss how GIS data can serve as the basis for 3D computer models used in Visual impact assessment
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A case study approach will be used in this paper. By examining the Visual Impact Assessment for large scale mining development in Alberta the process of translating GIS data into a 3D model will be presented. The discussion will also focus on how these models can be used to assist decision makers in arriving at mitigation strategies for large scale projects. In particular, consideration will be given to how 3D models were used to reveal changes to the topography brought on by new activity including the construction of a new bridge, roads, earthworks and mining super structures. Since these types of changes to the landscape will have an impact on views by those fishing and boating, computer animation can provide an experience of trips, for example, along a river or on a hiking path. Appropriate view points and image format for environmental impact assessment for either public review or corporate communication will be discussed. The application of GIS and computer animation will also be discussed in connection with forestry and rural urban development projects.
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