True-3D in Cartography—Current Hard- and Softcopy Developments

According to statistically indicative studies carried out by the first author in the 70s and 80s, more than 60 % of all users of topographic or hiking maps are not able to derive relief information spontaneously. Stereoscopic vision seems essential, for not only an optimised perception of relief but also for other spatial information. If the geodata visualisation is realised in a way that allows a three-dimensional observation beyond perspective viewing, we talk about “true-3D”. This term applies to both flat map-like displays and solid landscape embodiments. Both types belong to what is generally called the hardcopy branch of these products. For some years, lenticular-foil maps have been the most prominent examples of hardcopy 3D maps, However, softcopy displays have recently been undergoing a very dynamic development triggered by the TV and game industry. In North America, Europe and Japan various companies and research centres are competing in the realisation of large-format static and small-format portable computer-displays. They have the big advantage that, first, dynamic datasets (e.g. films) can also be displayed and, second, wireless Internet connections enable real-time access to databases. Very recently, physical landscape models of high photorealistic quality are also gaining increasing importance.