JMARS

3D Layer

The 3D Layer is unlike many of the JMARS layers because it does not load any visual data into the Viewing Window. Instead, it opens a new window and displays a three-dimensional version of the scene in the Main View. This allows the user to observe the altitude of the terrain directly, instead of relying on the shadowing of the 2D maps to determine the height or depth of certain features. The 3D Layer is available in the THEMIS and Public releases of JMARS.

Navigating in the 3D Layer

  1. Display a Map in the Viewing Window: Before loading the 3D Layer, the user must display a graphical map in the Viewing Window. Users can also display the Lat/Lon Grid Layer, the Groundtrack Layer, the THEMIS Planning Layer or any other layer which draws visible data in the Viewing Window.
  1. Open the 3D Layer: Chose "Add New Layer" -> "3D Layer"

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    3D View Window when a 3D layer is added

     

    • Navigate in the View: Using the following mouse and keyboard controls, the user is able to navigate in the 3D Layer's window:
      • Drag Left Mouse Button: Rotate X/Y
      • Shift+Drag Left Mouse Button: Translate X/Y
      • Drag Right Mouse Button: Rotate Z
      • Shift+Drag Right Mouse Button: Zoom
      • Drag Middle Mouse Button: Zoom
  1. Reset the 3D View: If the area displayed in the Main View is changed, the area in the 3D View will not automatically change. Clicking the "Reset Camera" button in the 3D Layer focus panel will refresh the 3D View to match the Main View.

Changing the 3D Layer Settings

  1. Display the Focus Panel: At the top of the Layer Manager, click on the "3D Viewer" tab.
  1. Scene Properties: The scene properties control the appearance of the surface displayed in the 3D Window.
    • Bottom: Selecting this option will apply a color to the bottom of the 3D surface in the 3D window. This makes it easier to make sure the user is viewing the top of the surface instead of the bottom.
    • Update Scene: If the position of the Main View has changed, click this button to refresh the view displayed in the 3D window.
    • Z Scale: This option allows the user to exaggerate the altitudes displayed in the 3D window, which is particularly useful when displaying relatively flat terrain. By default, the elevation (z-axis) has a scaling multiplier of 1.0. To change this value simply change the multiplier and click "Update Scene".

    2. 3D view with Z Scale = 2

    • Altitude: This option allows users to display altitude data from different sources. The default source is the MOLA altitude data.
  1. Orientation: This section of the focus panel allows the user to control and modify the view in the "3D View" Window.
  1. Directional Light: This section of the focus panel gives users the ability to add an artificial light source to the 3D window in order the change the appearance of shadows on the 3D terrain.
    • Light On: This check-box will turn on the artificial light source. The default setting is off.
    • Light Color: This button will give users a color palette from which they can choose the color of the light source.
    • Light Source Position: The lighted circle represents the position of the artificial light source. By default, the light source is positioned directly above the 3D terrain. To change this position, click on the center of the lighted circle and drag it around the box. Release the click to see what the terrain looks like with the light source in the new position.
Image:3D_focus.png

Video Tutorial: The 3D Layer

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