Projection Augmented Relief Models (PARM)
Projection Augmented Relief Models (PARM) are displays designed to tell stories through maps and imagery projected down onto three dimensional landscape models. For background information please see the paper from Electronic Visualisation and the Arts (2012) or download the flier.
Some examples of PARM installations are described below.
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Why physical models? The power of physical relief models lies in their ability to convey subtle changes in slope and elevation more easily than monitor-based visualisation techniques. They allow close scrutiny but also offer the viewer overviews of whole landscapes. This spatial ‘frame of reference’ helps to place features into their landscape context. The addition of high definition animated digital projection adds richness of content to such displays opening up new possibilities for education and spatial decision support. [Back to the top]
Making the models Most of the landscape models used in PARM installations are milled from model board. Digital terrain data is processed within a Geographical Information System (GIS) and converted into a format suitable for the Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) machine. Some models use terrain data from airborne radar of laser-scanning but surface models can be created from fusing other data sources including digital map data. [Back to the top]
Portable displays Various complexities of set-up are possible. At the simplest level a mobile rig for demonstrations and to support discussions in meetings can be used as here at a demo to the rangers at the Johnson Observatory, Mount St Helens, USA. In this case animated maps showing river channel adjustments were projected down onto a model of the catchment most affected by the 1980 eruption. [Back to the top]
Museum displays ‘Spots of Time’ was the first museum installation, complementing an exhibition of poetry manuscripts at the Wordsworth Trust, Grasmere, Cumbria, 2012-2013. This display featured a touch screen to trigger three different sequences describing episodes in William Wordsworth’s childhood which were connected to landscape and which influenced later poetry, using projections, information on a monitor and audio from above. This display was developed with Dr James Goulding.
Telling Tales A model developed for Nottingham Castle museum was created using in part a scan of a wooden physical model of Nottingham as it would have been in 1831. It was designed to be central in the gallery space so viewers could approach from any angle. It helped to tell stories related to the 1831 Nottingham riots using animated effects to simulate crowd movements and illumination effects to suggest the castle being set on fire. This display was developed with Dr James Goulding. [Back to the top]
Developing spatial awareness One of the first models to be made was of the University Park Campus, Nottingham, using airborne laser-scanning data. This is being used to develop and test projections that help people orientate themselves to a landscape much as a ‘You Are Here’ map is designed to do. An ongoing area of interest is identifying what type of landmarks should feature in models in order to provide an effective ‘frame of reference’ for the viewer. [Back to the top]
Spatial effects Projected lighting effects can mimic visibility from points, changes in lighting condition such as sunrise, or as here with urban models the placement of street lights. Such effects can be both static images and video. A method has been developed for creating these effects within a 3D computer aided design package using the same digital data that was used to make the physical model. [Back to the top]
Linked Media One simple but effective configuration is to have a sequence continuously projected over a model whilst displaying related information on a screen behind, as seen at the Lake District National Park visitor centre, Brockhole, Cumbria. Here some new cycle routes are animated over the model, and at certain waypoints the vista from the route is displayed on the model along with a photograph on the monitor. The display complements leaflets for people to take away. [Back to the top]
Other worlds Any surface model can be transformed into a projected display, at any scale and of any environment. The example here shows a model of part of the surface of Mars. The intention with this project is to convey the scale and nature of the morphology of the Martian landscape compared to that of Earth. This is part of a public outreach project initiated by Jess Wardlow and James Sprinks in the Nottingham Geospatial Institute. [Back to the top]
You Are Here A range of landscape modelling techniques was explored at Keswick Museum & Art Gallery including a small PARM display in 2014 leading to the ‘Grandest Views’ exhibition in 2015, featuring a large floor map with models sat over it on plinths allowed selected landscape locations to be viewed both in detail and in their broader context. A PARM display of the Keswick area acted as a You-Are-Here map but also animated the movement of early tourists into this area. [Back to the top]
View from the hill The 'You-Are-Here' model was re-purposed for a display in George Fisher outdoor shop in Keswick. The location of the shop was highlighted and the walking route up to a popular nearby mountain was animated, finishing by illuminating the area visible from that summit. This was repeated for another two routes. This idea of promoting outdoor exploration of the local area was part of the original function of the Mayson model, the moulds of which had been used to create this model. [Back to the top]
Layered Models For certain landscapes it may be worth considering a layered relief model. The example on the left shows a model of southern Nottinghamshire made for the Workhouse at Southwell (a National Trust property). Here the relief was very subtle and so a deliberately abstract layered effect was created. Custom contours were derived from a Digital Elevation Model in such a way to emphasise certain landscape features that were important, such as the sides of the Trent valley [Back to the top]
City Models When surface detail is complex, for example when modelling a city, the milling process may not be able to represent narrow alleys or spires for example. In such cases it may be appropriate to use additive 3D printing as with the image here. This example shows a small section of a city model of central Nottingham derived from airborne laser-scanning data and printed in plaster power . [Back to the top]
Further research The sunken city of Pavlopetri is the focus of a research project within the University’s ‘Heritage and the Digital’ research priority area. One aspect of this is to reveal reconstructions of buildings via Augmented Reality codes projected over the building’s footprint, which on the physical model is represented by lines of stones. This project involves Jon Henderson (Archaeology), Gary Priestnall (Geography), Richard Eastgate (Human Factors) and Tony Glover (Computer Science). [Back to the top]