Nathan Hunstad & Kyle MartinCsci 5980

Study Group 7

Motivation:3D GIS Analysis Capabilities2D GIS Analysis has limitations in the real

worldSome problems need the benefit of a 3rd

dimensionIntelligent Building Evacuation System, Dr.

Jiyeong Lee

3D GIS Analysis MethodsLine of SightViewshedShadows/ShadingWatershedsVolume AnalysisCumulative Solar Exposure3D Path RoutingSlope/AspectSkyline

3D GIS Analysis Tools ProblemProblem Statement: What existing software

applications are capable of performing some 3D GIS analyses?

How do these applications compare to each other?Cost?Features?Usability?Performance?

Challenge: Gathering objective data from separate sources to compare software

3D GIS Analysis Applications

Related work: no feature comparisons/surveys of this software was found in the literature

SAGA GIS Global Mapper

GRASS GIS ILWIS ArcGIS 3D Analyst 10

Platform Windows, Linux

Windows Windows, Linux, Mac OS X

Windows Windows

Software Requirements

None None None None ArcGIS Desktop

License GPL RockWare License, $299

GPL GPL ESRI License, $2500

Plugins? Yes No Yes Yes Unknown

3D GIS Analysis DataTwin Cities DEM data from the USGS

(GeoTIFF)Same data for all software allows for direct

comparison

Application: SAGA GIS

Application: SAGA GIS

SAGA GIS Aspect Layer

Application: Global Mapper

Application: Global Mapper

Global Mapper Aspect Layer

Application: GRASS GIS

Application: GRASS GIS

GRASS GIS Aspect Layer

Applications: ILWIS & ArcGIS 3DILWIS: Did not run on test machineArcGIS 3D Analyst: Could not evaluate due to

costhttp://video.esri.com/watch/20/analysis-enabled

-by-3d

3D GIS Analysis Conclusions SAGA GIS Global

Mapper GRASS GIS ILWIS ArcGIS 3D

Analyst 10

Cost Free $299.00 Free Free $2,500.00

Ease of Use Fair Very Good Very Good Poor N/A

Feedback Good Good Fair Poor N/A

Features Very Good Good Fair Poor Excellent

Viewshed Good Good Unavailable Unavailable N/A

Hillshade Good Unavailable Good Unavailable N/A

Slope/Aspect Fair Very Good Good Unavailable N/A

Extensibility Good Poor Good Unavailable N/A

3D GIS Analysis Conclusions and SolutionsFree, open-source options exist for simple 3D GIS

analysisSAGA GIS has many features, less intuitive interfaceGRASS GIS has fewer features, better interface

Commercial software is probably best for serious analysisArcGIS 3D Analyst appears to be very powerfulGlobal Mapper has several capabilities at lower cost

Future work: monitor advances in these software products