3D artistic mapping of the urban environment for tourism information support

With the development of the tourism sphere, its information support is also developing, in particular, represented with cartographic works. One of the forms of cartographic support for tourism is three-dimensional artistic maps (3D-maps, panoramic maps) and cartographic web applications. By our understanding the panoramic map of the city is a cartographic image of the urban environment, made with regard to linear and aerial perspectives on the principle of artistic painting and created an illusory sense of volumetricity. Such maps illustrated the historical parts of cities, park zones, museums-estates, individual architectural monuments become popular souvenirs, but their handwritten creation is rather labor-intensive and requires high artistic skills.

The research proposes the author’s methodology and technology for creating and updating of three-dimensional artistic maps mainly of small and medium cities and towns using modern information technology, which involves a rational combination of works done manually (handwritten) and with the usage of graphic editors (automated). The preferred cartographic projections for mapping of different territories have been determined (external perspective projection with positive image, taking into account the curvature of the globe surface – for vast territories, central projection – for small territories, including individual monuments). The most optimal conditions for three-dimensional illusory representation of cities have also been established (the constant height of the observation point, the projection with parallel rays at an angle of 60° to the picture plane, the display only the front and middle parts of the map). Special attention is paid to the usage of automated libraries of signs, textures and colors, developed by the author in digital form and containing individual constructive elements of urban environment objects, which greatly simplifies the process of panoramic map creating.

The proposed combined handwritten-automated methodology involves several stages: preparatory, field and office. At the last stage, the visualization of objects is carried out, including the construction of the plan of the mapped territory, transforming it into the perspective projection, the construction of building frames and filling them with structural elements, color design and drawing detailing.

This methodology is also used for updating of artistic maps (actualization of their content).