Education & Training

RGIS - Educational Modules, Pacific Northwest

Visualization of Your PPGIS
Community Using CommunityViz 1.3

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NOTE: It is important that the data files contained within this workshop program be loaded correctly in order for the video presentations to operate properly. The folder “RGIS-CVIZ_TRAINING” needs to be placed onto the C:\ hard drive (for example: C:\RGIS-CVIZ_TRAINING\User Manual). If this is not completed the video files will fail to operate. Place the the “User Manual” folder into this folder. This download is EXTREMELY LARGE. Do not attempt to download if you are using a dial-up connection.

About This Module

This module is primarily focused upon presenting users with information enabling them to take further advantage of the 3-D visualization capabilities integrated within the CommunityViz 1.3 software package and to extend the user’s knowledge with respect to creating improved three dimensional community models. The module also provides the user with guidance for locating needed data sources to begin developing their modeling projects. RGIS-Pacific Northwest has recently applied CommunityViz 1.3 to support spatial decision-making processes within the rural community of Roslyn located within central Washington State. Tutorials have been developed using the Roslyn case study as the underlying framework upon which the tutorials are supported.

CommunityViz 1.3 is an example of a ‘multi-tool’ approach for Decision Support System (DSS) instrument design. It has uniquely integrated GIS technology, 2-D mapping, and numerical/graphical analysis capabilities with robust 3-D visualization technology. These components are combined into a real-time dynamically linked environment allowing involved community members, officials, and professionals to gain further insight into the possible environmental, economic, and visual impacts pertaining to specific development alternatives.

The CommunityViz 1.3 user manual is a thorough document that provides new users with information needed to start creating land use models, which can support spatial decision-making processes. However, the user manual does not adequately describe the process of how to incorporate community characteristics into the 3-D models of the community. For example, little information is provided to guide new users through the procedure of integrating real digital images of storefronts into the 3-D representation of the community. This knowledge becomes very important as model developers begin to extend the capabilities of CommunityViz and attempt to produce realistic 3-D representations of communities. Realistic 3-D representations are very important because they provide decision-makers with the opportunity to accurately assess the visual impacts of proposed future land use change and whether these future plans should be adjusted to meet the present community’s growth objectives.

Module Audience

This module is for individuals who are interested in further implementing and extending the application of CommunityViz 1.3. Participants also need to have a working knowledge of ArcView 3.x.

Module Materials & Tools

  • Overview instruction document
  • Instructional user manual
  • GIS data that accompanies the user manual
  • PowerPoint presentation incorporating ‘live’ demonstration AVI files

Module Software & Hardware Needs

  • ESRI ArcView 3.x - Spatial Analyst
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Windows 2000 or XP
  • Projector
  • PC laptop with these hardware components:
    • 256 MB RAM
    • Pentium 4 Processor
    • 1 GB hard disk space
    • 3-button standard mouse
    • Open GL-based graphics card with at least 32 MB texture memory

For More Information Contact:

Anthony Gabriel , Central Washington University
CSI - Central Washington University
400 E University Way
Ellensburg, Washington 98926
Email: gabriela@cwu.edu