Use of semantic web technology for adding 3D detail to GIS landscape data

GIS content is currently widely available and standardized. However, a great challenge remains in the definition of 3D GIS content. Presently, most 3D content is manually defined and refined by experts in order to result in the fidelity needed by a simulation application such as a virtual training system. In this paper, we present a new approach using semantic web technology that allows experts to formalize their knowledge in the form of an ontology which is then used to provide automated support in the definition of high fidelity 3D GIS content. This approach would allow a low-turn around between acquiring initial data from a certain area and having high fidelity 3D visualization of real world landscapes from GIS data.