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<\/a>![\"Mercator-World-Map\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.evergreen.edu\/forbesportfolio\/files\/2014\/10\/Mercator-World-Map.jpg\")
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<\/a><\/p>\nBy looking at the images above, one can see that map images try their best to convey an area, but attempting to exhibit a spherical object like the earth, as a flat image is impossible to do without distortion. 3D representation of a location is the most useful and least distorted type of representation (if done properly).\u00a0 This is why a globe is the superior model of the earth – it essentially is a mini-earth. Of course regular 2D printed maps can be very useful in navigation, but it depends on how the map is designed, and it depends on the interpretation of the person using the map.\u00a0 It takes a certain type of mind to relate a flat image to one\u2019s surroundings in order to orient themselves and navigate from that.<\/p>\n
With 3D representation, there is little to be interpreted. A tangible mass, modeling a city, puts your mind within the buildings allowing you to understand the layout and the sensation of the area. Becoming familiar with such a model will make a person relate to the area as if they are familiar with it itself. There\u2019s little translation to be done.<\/p>\n
Jeffrey Ambroziak is a cartographer from the United States. He is known for his invention, the \u201cAmbroziak Infinite Perspective Projection\u201d which is a form of 3D mapping. His development includes the third dimension of objects within images without distorting them. Distortion is a common problem among cartography since maps often try to relate 3D objects or areas to flat paper or screens. \u201cAmbroziak doesn\u2019t consider these kinds of images to be truly 3-D, as viewers must look at them from a specific distance and angle. Glancing from the sides, or walking toward or away from the image, distorts or destroys the illusion.\u201d As a young man Ambroziak struggled to accept this distortion in maps and eventually developed a way to avoid it.<\/p>\n
Recently he had a KickStarter project raising money to create a 3D map of the moon. He used data released by NASA to put into his program and develop the map.<\/p>\n
\u201cNASA put out some amazing digital elevation data of the moon late last year, but nobody had released it in true 3-D. So I decided I would,\u201d \u2013Jeffrey Ambroziak<\/p>\n
What is \u201ctrue 3-D\u201d?<\/p>\n
\u201cA three-dimensional model that displays a picture or item in a form that appears to be physically present with a designated structure. Essentially, it allows items that appeared flat to the human eye to be displayed in a form that allows for various dimensions to be represented. These dimensions include width, depth, and height.\u201d<\/p>\n
The above definition of \u201ctrue 3-D\u201d says that for something to be 3D it has to display something in a form that \u201cappears\u201d physically present. I want to make something that actually is physically present. It will be exactly what it is showing people. There will be no possibility of distortion anywhere because its appearance does not depend on its viewers.<\/p>\n
Unlike the idea for my project, Ambroziak\u2019s map is 3D in the sense that a 3D movie is. He refers to it as \u201ctrue 3D\u201d because one can move with the image without distorting it. However, they still need 3D glasses and they cannot touch and feel the dimensions. This is why I aspire to create a map or model that is a tangible 3D representation of Downtown Olympia.<\/p>\n
3D images are definitely getting popular these days.\u00a0 As someone who has an affinity for cartography, I truly appreciate maps that include the third dimension.<\/p>\n
Recently Apple and Google have introduced 3D maps to their mapping programs and it is clear that the 3D versions are far superior.\u00a0 Just by looking at this image you can see how much better the right map is at displaying the area.\u00a0 I think moving cartography in the direction of 3D will make a big difference in map usage.\u00a0 I see people becoming less frustrated and less lost.\u00a0 Using the map on the left would almost discourage me from trying to acquaint myself with an area, whereas the map on the right excites me.<\/p>\n
“Yale Bulletin and Calendar – News.” Yale Bulletin and Calendar – News<\/i>. N.p., 21 Jan. 2000. Web. 19 Oct. 2014.<\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" How can maps help people navigate and understand an area better? My goal is to create a 3D map of downtown Olympia that will be comprehensible and tangible to people struggling to understand the area. I will color code different … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":340,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.evergreen.edu\/making\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/739"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.evergreen.edu\/making\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.evergreen.edu\/making\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.evergreen.edu\/making\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/340"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.evergreen.edu\/making\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=739"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sites.evergreen.edu\/making\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/739\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.evergreen.edu\/making\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=739"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.evergreen.edu\/making\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=739"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.evergreen.edu\/making\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=739"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}<\/a><\/p>\n