Software visualization of geospatial data based on virtual reality systems. Survey and future developments

Abstract

The relevance of the research. In the time of global digitalization, when such projects as Digital Earth become relevant, computer visualization is a key element of computer modelling both in academic research and in technology, especially in the fields of natural and mineral resources management, and geo-resources exploration. Computer visualization is also necessary for presenting the «big data», for instance, data accumulated in geological research of large spaces. Computer visualization as an independent branch of science has been developing for over thirty years now. Now, Virtual Reality is actively used in computer visualization. Virtual Reality can be used in the presentation of Earth Resources Data. It is possible to create three-dimension displays of graphic objects representing the elements of the landscape. One of its subbranches is software visualization. Software visualization is essential in presenting complex software systems related to design and development in different fields of technology, including energy efficient technologies. Objects. The paper is dedicated to research and development in the field of software visualization based on virtual reality. These researches can be applied in a number of areas related to Geoinformatics, as well as in the field of exploration of georesources. Methods: methods of computer visualization theory, in particular, the elements of visualization metaphor theory. The aim of the research and development is to find those approaches that will enable efficient use of virtual reality in solving complex problems that software specialists face. This software may be related to large volumes of geospatial data. Results. The paper provides a survey of the development of software visualization and description of projects in this field, developed over the past decades. It describes the projects of visual programming and software visualization systems, developed by the authors on the basis of virtual reality with the use of cosmic space metaphors and an expanded city metaphor. It reviews the psychological aspects of the human factor in the development of software visualization systems with the use of virtual reality, including the use of activity theory. The paper arises a problem of describing the activity of a software developer acting as a user of software visualization systems. Software development for real-life technical problems (for example, for geological engineering or geo-resources forecasting) requires specialization and personalization of visualization systems. The results of the conducted analysis allow us to conclude that we are now at the early stages of crucial research. © 2020 Tomsk Polytechnic University, Publishing House. All rights reserved.