Session / Séance 22-B Maps in transition: development of interactive vector-based topographic 3D-maps

The age of the virtual worlds has begun. In the last years we have witnessed an incredible development of this new technology, which is now commonly used by all the people that will visualise any three-dimensional data. For centuries the main application field of cartography was the two-dimensional visualisation of spatial data. Can cartography also profit from this new technology? A three-dimensional interactive topographic map does not know any spatial, thematic and temporal limitations. It offers the user the possibility to choose its virtual position within the map, permitting a more accurate perception and interpretation of the spatial and other related information. We are convinced that the use of this technology in the domain of cartography domain would significantly improve the quality of cartographic products and open new areas of application. The goal of the presented project is the design and implementation of an efficient system for the generation, visualisation and administration of interactive topographic 3D-masp. Since we are dealing with cartography, our aim is not to achieve realistic landscape rendering, but a true cartographic symbolisation in space.