CARTOGRAPHY AND VISUALIZATION I

Lesson 5

By Mwaura Joshua | @openmapsCo on Twitter

Lesson 5: Multimedia Systems

Multimedia Systems

  • Multimedia refers to an interactive integration of sound, animations, text and (video) images
  • When realized in a geodata environment it allows for a map to link through to all kinds of other information items of a geographical nature
  • Multimedia includes;
    1. Text documents describing a parcel
    2. Photographs of objects in the GIS database
    3. Videos of the landscape of the current study area

Multimedia Systems

  • Objective of multimedia fusion with maps is
    • to provide a better understanding of the mapped phenomena
    • to provide a geographical order of the information
    Questions to answer before using multimedia;
    • how will multimedia information be structured?
    • how will multimedia enhance spatial analysis?
    • what is the role of the map?
    • what will interface design involve?

Multimedia Systems | Application of Sounds

  • Maps can function as indexes to sound libraries
  • Uses;
    1. background music to enhance a mapped phenomenon
      • a world map would initiate the national anthem of the particular country being played, or some general phrases being spoken in the country’s language
      • areas of application are industry, infrastructure or history
    2. orientation purposes
      • 3D sounds in virtual reality environments

Multimedia Systems | Application of Text

  • GIS is probably the best representation of the link between a map and text (the GIS database)
  • Imagine a map showing a country’s population density in which all provinces are coloured according to one of the four different classes discerned
    • To amplify the presentation a user can point to a province, which will result in the display of its name and its actual individual population density value
  • Electronic atlases often links all kinds of information to the map or to individual map elements
  • It is possible to analyse or explore this information

Multimedia Systems | Application of (Videos) images

  • Maps are models of reality
  • Linking video or photographs to maps offers the user a different view of reality
    • A geological map can be enhanced by showing landscape views (video or photographs) of characteristic spots in the area
    • A real estate agent could use the map to explore all the properties for sale. Pointing at a specific house would show a photograph of the house, the construction drawings, and a video would start showing the house’s interior – close that deal

Multimedia Systems | Application of Animations

  • Animations can be very expressive in explaining these complex processes represented by maps
  • Animations are an excellent means to introduce geospatial data’s temporal component
  • Hypermaps can be described as georeferenced multimedia
    • play a key role in structuring the individual multimedia components with respect to each other and to the map
    • allow the user to navigate the data, both through geospace and different topics

Try out...

  • Create a map with multimedia systems; use software of your choice

---End of Lesson 5---

That’s it!

Queries about this Lesson, please send them to: jmwaura.uni@gmail.com

***References***

  • Mapping, Society, and Technology, Steven Manson
  • Web Cartography, Map Design for Interactive and Mobile Devices, Ian Muehlenhaus
  • Web Cartography, Menno-Jan Kraak and Allan Brown, ITC
  • Cartography, Thematic Map Design, Borden D. Dent
  • GIS Cartography, A Guide to Effective Map Design, Gretchen N. Peterson
  • Thematic Cartography and Geovisualization, Terry A. Slocum et.al
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