Biographical Information
Matthew E. Maudlin
RLA Schneider Corporation 8901 Otis Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46216, 317.826.7100, 317.826.7200
E-Mail: mmaudlin@schneidercorp.com
A Picture is worth a thousand words
Ever hear the phrase, “A picture is worth a thousand words?” It’s truly a challenge to describe
how a new building will look after fully constructed, and certainly, it’s even more challenging to
understand and communicate the scale and context of what it will look like in the surrounding
environment. How do you know the image you are explaining is the same as what your audience
is envisioning?
One of the emerging computer technologies taking great strides in bridging the gap between the
design intent initially communicated and the end product is 3D modeling. Computerized 3D
modeling offers the ability to communicate ideas visually. By combining your digital terrain
model and your planimetric/GIS features with a photograph of the cityscape, 3D modeling
enables you to fully visualize your GIS to open the doors to concepts and considerations never
imagined before. As a city planner, 3D modeling can be used to view proposed improvements
with associated code and ordinances exactly as they will look fully constructed on their parcel of
land before ground is ever broken. 3D modeling shortens your city’s permitting approval
process, communicates all aspects of implementation, reduces uncertainty for the plan
commission and general public and ultimately, reduces the cost of the project and provides a
competitive advantage for attracting new businesses.
Introduction
The phrase, “A picture is worth a thousand words,” has never been truer than when you're
attempting to communicate the location of a parcel within a city's new tax district or describe a
proposed commercial development project and its potential effect on traffic, public safety, lineof-
sight aesthetics, and utility services.
Emerging GIS, visualization, and 3D technologies have made great strides in bridging the
communication gap between the intent of a project and ultimately, what is built or created.
These technologies have improved the entire project management process from definition of
specifications, as well as development of such components as the database or model and
applications, to securing public participation and understanding, governmental approval, and
finally implementation and maintenance.
As GIS programs are coming under increasing pressure to ensure that all interested parties and
needs are integrated into the project management process, GIS administrators are finding
themselves in the position of prime communicator. Today, effectively communicating both the
current and potential GIS "picture" is relying on the spoken word as well as a variety of
technology-enhanced illustrations and graphics. As communicators, we are also being
challenged to not only help our clients and constituents visualize the project, but as importantly,
understand or feel the full impact.
Think about the traditional way that we present and explain GIS projects. Typically, for
communication we use maps with GIS symbols or that show topology, planimetric, etc. views.
Sometimes we use hand drawings or renderings, as well as tables with terminology specific to
the architecture, engineering, and utility industries or government officials like the assessor or
surveyor. As communication tools, these are often ineffective because the audience generally
lacks the knowledge necessary to understand the map, table, or document. GIS maps and sets of
data can be complicated and tough to understand for those who aren't used to reading them.
Hand renderings are generally too conceptual to fully communicate what the project will truly
look like when it's finished. Throw specifications into the mix, and you have a recipe for good
old-fashioned confusion and misunderstanding.
Figure 1. Traditionally, communication is done through mapping, symbols and other technical illustrations.
It is also ironic that too much information – information overload – can be a detriment to
understanding as well. Clear and concise communication is essential to building trust and
understanding, securing a "buy-in" from interested parties, and also keeping the project on
budget. Mistakes that result from misunderstood information can increase the cost of a project
exponentially. For example, a mistake costing $1,000 to fix in the design phase could cost as
much as $100,000 or more to fix during implementation.
Among the recent technologies that has brought major enhancements to both the function and
understanding of GIS is 3D modeling and visualization. Chief among the goals of GIS is the
ability to model and then present via maps and other sets of spatially oriented information of the
physical world in its current state. On any given day, a GIS can usually provide a "snapshot" in
time of a setting, scene or situation. It can also provide through visualization "future pictures" of
proposed projects before the first light pole is installed or the first shovel full of dirt is turned.
Visualization puts everyone on the same page, allowing practically any citizen or official to
easily participate in the project development and implementation processes. It can also help
create a consistent level of expectations among all interested parties. It takes away gray fuzzy
lines of understanding and replaces it with hard, real knowledge. A client has perhaps best
described the value of visualization by noting that, “People want to see that the proposed project
is real, and 3D visualization techniques do just that!”
