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LandscapingSMART

Peter PETSCHEK

Keynote: 27 May 2011

1 Introduction

In 2010, most Landscape Architecture offices were using standard graphic oriented computer programs. Presentation graphics are a major concern among professionals. Companies even require students who are looking for an internship to have a good understanding of the software [1]. This development was confirmed by a questionnaire prepared as part of a master thesis last year. The student asked what software Landscape Architecture offices are using. Twenty seven out of one hundred and nine offices answered and named standard products like AutCAD, Vectorworks, SketchUp, ArcGIS, Photoshop and InDesign [8]. Looking at today’s education scene in Landscape Architecture one can also state that students put a lot of emphasis on computer plan graphics as part of their Information Technologies (IT) education. This interest of professionals and students in presentation plan graphics is quite understandable as design studio work with a lot of credit points, and competitions with the chance to build are evaluated based on paper plans. But it is necessary to remind students and colleagues that IT in Landscape Architecture deals not only with the production of good looking plans. Therefore the term landscapingSMART has been introduced. It describes efficient ways to use IT-tools in the design and the construction process of Landscape Architecture. LandscapingSMART is an overview and as long as IT tools and software are further developed it never will be complete. The process consists of four main parts:

Data Acquisition Terrain data and aerial photos today are provided by government agencies or private firms. If data on site is needed, either local surveyors or Landscape Architects use Tachymeter/GPS technology to build digital terrain models (DTM) out of existing terrain and locate existing vegetation.

Data Output Digital terrain models are transferred via USB stick to machine guidance systems. No stake out plans and measurement on site are necessary. Today construction companies demand digital terrain data as the usage of machine guidance systems becomes more and more popular and saves money.

Data Manipulation Based on DTM data and via flat bed cutter or CNC milling systems, analogue models can be built. The tradition of model building comes from the field of architecture where it is common to use models in order to test ideas. Models are also very popular among Landscape Architects. Analogue Models demonstrate definitive advantages when it comes to free forms like terrain. The haptic, intuitive aspect using model building sand for the form finding process cannot be simulated with a computer program. Nevertheless in the

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further design and construction process, digital data are necessary for volume calculations and machine guidance. How can the transfer from analogue to digital take place?

Often colleagues in professional practice think that DTMs are only necessary for large reclamation and grading projects like golf courses. The opposite is true. Digital terrain modelling should be used for every site design project as grading and above/below ground drainage is more precise using the DTM technology. In addition the DTM data can be used directly by a dozer or digger.

Data Presentation Successful planning needs public acceptance. Recent discussions of large infrastructure projects in Europe proof the importance of informing the people. Plans are not very accessible for everyday person. They use abbreviations and symbols which not everybody understands. Usually plan exhibitions of projects with public interest take place in city halls which people do not visit in their spare time. Analog models, perfect for design development, also demand a high level of abstraction by the viewer. Convincing project communication is extremely important. The well known Sender Receiver Model is most critical in the communication process. Decoding of information differs between a professional and a layperson not being used to read plans. The recipient of the information has to be taken more into consideration. In brief when at home most kids play with high end video game consoles which have best 3D graphic quality then it is also for the parents no longer enough to look at plans as part of a PowerPoint presentation or at the wall in a city hall [6].

2 Data Manipulation – CRP Fills a Gap

Photogrammetry is a process of deriving metric information of an object via measurement on photographs of this object [4]. The photogrammetric technique involves reproducing the trajectory of a ray running from the lens of a camera to a point. The position of the point in 3-D space is obtained by a crossing ray running to the same point but from another camera station. The principle of photogrammetry in its broadest sense lies in the usage of stereo pairs of images to convert flat 2-dimensional images into 3-dimensional models.

Aerial photogrammetry or sometimes called airborne photogrammetry, typically refers to oblique or vertical images acquired from distances that are greater than 300m [3]. Aerial photogrammetry delivers the most accurate and reliable earth observation data.

On the other side, close-range photogrammetry (CRP), in which an object-to-camera distance of less than 300m is involved. The ability of CRP to produce real-time measurement and to use sequences of images has led to many new applications [4]. Presently they include precise measurement of buildings for architectural historic preservation, surveillance of nature dynamics and biometric applications. Comparing close range photogrammetry and close range laser scanning CLR has the major advantages of fast production, low purchase and operating costs [5].

As previously stated physical models play an important role in the landscape architectural digital design process. The big question is how to transfer the analogue data back to the digital world. CRP is one the way to handle the transfer. Taking PhotoModeler Scanner of EOS Systems Inc. as an example the workflow consists of: camera calibration, data import, image processing and data export. With a calibrated camera (simple automated process) the

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data creation takes no longer than an hour. A point cloud created with CRP can be post-processed with regular DTM software. The new digital terrain is ready for volume calculations, site analysis (slopes, water run-off, exposition, etc.) profiles and finally a machine guidance system on site. Therefore CRP fills an important gap in the process chain of landscapingSMART and transforms an analogue model, modified by using model sand into a digital terrain model.

3 Data Presentation – 3D PDF for the Public

High Tech Graphic Cards are the standard in all personal computers. The graphic card calculates processes on hardware basis, which otherwise have to be done by the software or the CPU. With the help of these cards real time is possible. Real time means 25 images per second are shown on the screen. The very tedious rendering time of animations is no longer necessary. Not many years ago real time visualizations were only possible on high end computer systems. The driving force behind the development of fast graphics is the computer game industry and the huge consumer market asking for speed and realism. Real time applications outside the game sector profit from this development. Also Landscape Architecture can use real time. The goal of real time planning is to make a project understandable for all participants of a planning process via a 3D context. The acceptance of interactive models is high. Studies proof that people are asking for it [6]. Different methods exist: Digital Globe Systems, software applications like Quest3D and 3D PDF[9].

An interesting tool for real time based 3D plan communication is the PDF format of Adobe Systems. The Portable Document Format (PDF) was developed by Adobe Systems in order to view documents with text, images and 2D vector grafics independent of hardware, operating system and software. Now 3D visualizations can be also integrated in standard PDFs. Users can rotate and zoom in to reveal hidden detail. Not like in a computer game environment, where the viewer is positioned inside the model, in a 3D PDF you look at the model from outside. One either has to navigate to a position inside or one is guided in the model to predefined locations via buttons.

Based on a previous research project, which looked into the demands different user groups like computer kids, parents, planners using a real time environment, certain adaptation to the PDF platform were made [7]. The two most important are: simplicity (button amount, size and design), ease of orientation (button for reset back to the original position).

4 Conclusion

LandscapingSMART is not a revolutionary new process. It just tries to shift the focus to the overall process of using IT in Landscape Architecture. More and more technology will be developed. Ubicomp (Ubiquitous Computing) is more and more influencing our daily life. It is an interdisciplinary field of research and development that utilizes and integrates pervasive, wireless, embedded, wearable and/or mobile technologies to bridge the gaps between the digital and physical worlds. Not all makes sense for landscaping, but a critical / positive attitude has to be developed among students. This is the task of IT education in Landscape Architecture. It is more than digital plan graphics.

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Fig. 1: Data Output with a GPS Dozer. Machine control systems can be efficiently used also in landscape construction projects

Fig. 2: The haptic, intuitive aspect using model building sand for the form finding process in Landscape Architecture

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Fig. 3: Close Range Photogrammetry allows the precise and fast transfer of analogue model data to digital terrain models

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Fig. 4: 3D PDF is a perfect format for public information

References

[1] Calabria¸ A. (2010), The Art and Science of Design Communication Media in Land-scape Architecture Today: Changes in Curricula and the Profession. In: Carsjens, G. (Ed.), Landscape Legacy. CELA 2010, Wageningen University.

[2] Linder, W. (2006), Digital photogrammetry, a practical course. Berlin, Springer. [3] Matthews, N. (2005), Close-range photogrammetry. US National Science and Techno-

logy Center, Denver. [4] Mikhai, E., Bethel J. & McGlone, C. (2001), Introduction of Modern photogrammetry.

Wiley & Sons. [5] Gu, Q. (2010), The application of close range photogrammetry in digital terrain

modeling for landscape architecture design and construction – Comparison and test of data acquisition methods. IMLA Master Thesis, Rapperswil.

[6] Petschek, P. & Lange, E. (2004), Planung des öffentlichen Raumes – der Einsatz von neuen Medien und 3D Visualisierungen am Beispiel des Entwicklungsgebietes Zürich-Leutschenbach. CD CORP-04 Proceedings, Wien.

[7] Petschek, P. (2005), Terrain Modeling with GPS an Real-Time in Landscape Archi-tecture. In: Buhmann et al. (Eds.), Trends in Real-Time Landscape Visualization and Participation. Proceedings at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences. Heidelberg, Wich-mann.

[8] Wolfer, L. (2010), Darstellungsmethoden in der Landschaftsarchitektur. IMLA Master Thesis, Rapperswil.

[9] Zeile, P. (2010), Echtzeitplanung. Die Fortentwicklung der Simulations- und Visuali-sierungsmethoden für die städtebauliche Gestaltungsplanung. Dissertation, Fachbereich Architektur/Raum- und Umweltplanung/Bauingenieurwesen, Universität Kaiserslau-tern, Kaiserslautern.