3D Modeling and Visualization
Digital 3D modeling offers many advantages over traditional, 2D design. The clearly established spatial relationships of 3D leave less room for error, because less is left to interpretation and memory. This is especially helpful in presenting complex data to—and facilitating communication between—parties outside the design team such as clients, regulatory agencies, community members, and other stakeholders. Plus, more comprehensive data allow computer applications to better “understand” designs and concepts, so the data can be validated, analyzed, manipulated, and presented in myriad ways across many formats.
For example, 3D models can be sliced, rotated, and even animated to visualize surface and subsurface relationships and to demonstrate various specifications such as changes over time. MACTEC routinely uses ESRI 3D Analyst, EVS (Environmental Visualization System), GMS (Groundwater Modeling System), Geosoft, and Tecplot to model and analyze…
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- Air dispersion
- Contaminant transport
- Groundwater and surface water interaction
- Groundwater extraction and injection
- Groundwater flow
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- Hydrologic gradient
- Landfill/sediment/soil volume
- Structure location
- Water chemistry
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MACTEC has written or acquired over 140 computer programs to supplement our various services, and we can develop custom applications for unique situations. ATLAS™, our proprietary computer model, simulates and analyzes saturated and unsaturated groundwater flow, contaminant transport, and heat transport. We also have access to specialized programs at software libraries such as the Engineering Research Center at the University of California in Berkeley. Our comprehensive 3D modeling capabilities include…
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- Advanced grid and model building
- Benchmark comparison
- Contour plotting
- Fence diagram construction
- Geostatistical evaluation
- GIS interaction
- Laboratory data interpretation and reduction
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- Output generation
- Parameter estimation
- Pavement management
- Real-time terrain fly-over
- Scenario / time-step modeling
- Volume measurement
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We can even apply a modeling approach to CAD design, using model/paper space and reference files to streamline document preparation. Designs are processed on a predefined coordinate system determined either by the relative state’s plane coordinate system or by the client’s site-specific coordinate grid. All files are processed such that they become building blocks to represent the entire site or design. This building-block approach ensures compatibility and design integrity across all design deliverables and enables file sharing among AutoCAD, MicroStation, and GIS products such as ArcGIS and ArcView.
Although 3D modeling is advanced technology, you may be surprised to learn that special data formats are not always required to produce quality visualizations. Data may come from CAD, GIS, web-based data servers, databases, spreadsheets, groundwater model outputs, or even hardcopies of site figures. Plus, free resources are available on the Internet to augment your site-specific data.
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