Comprehensive expression of urban 3D maps: A case study of Shenzhen
3D map design is a crucial task in the construction of spatio-temporal information visualization. The design of 3D map symbols is a key research direction within this field. At present, the design of 3D map symbols lacks a general design method that can adapt to various types of application scenarios. Compared to graphic symbols in traditional 2D maps, 3D map symbols are more complex and need to be express various types of spatial information and attribute information. This complexity restricts the breadth and depth of the applications for 3D maps. To address these issues, this paper proposes a 3D symbol design method based on the theory of visual variables within the framework of application scenarios. This goal is to improve the information transmission efficiency of 3D map symbols and improve the expression effects of 3D maps. This paper first analyzes the information load in the 3D urban scene and explores how to express geographic information in urban scenes with relatively complex business relationships. It introduces the concept of 3D maps, analyzes their "scene-type-content" relationships, and summarizes the urban geographic elements within these scenes. Secondly, it explains the design method of 3D maps from three aspects: visual variables, map symbols, and design frameworks. Based on the theory of 3D visual variables, 3D map symbols designed with different geometric features are designed. A comprehensive design framework is proposed, encompassing the entire process from visual variable input to 3D symbol output, to meet the information expression requirements of 3D maps. Finally, using Shenzhen City as a case study, this paper analyzes its 3D data status and cartographic requirements. The proposed 3D symbol design framework is applied to the design of an interactive 3D map instance, which supports the selection of multi-scale elements and multi-style map style switching. This approach meets the cartographic requirements of 3D maps across various application scenarios, improving both the expression effect of 3D maps and the information transmission ability of symbols. This paper draws on the theory of two-dimensional map symbol design to construct a framework for 3D map symbol design on 3D visual variables. Using Shenzhen City as a case study, this paper verifies the framework by designing a set of 3D interactive map examples. The results indicate that the method meets the information transmission requirements of Shenzhen's 3D maps, enhances map expression, and deepens the application range of 3D maps. The complete set of map examples is now in use by the Shenzhen Planning and Natural Resource Data Management Center. While this paper focuses on the design of map symbols based on the theory of 3D visual variables, there is a need for further research on the expression of non-spatial elements and the design method of notation symbols.
3D map3D scenarioinformation loadsymbol designvisual variable
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