3D Visualization
Realistic and clear representation of research results contributes to correct understanding of information whereas too difficult research outputs may cause misinterpretation, leading to wrong conclusions. Therefore it is important to search for proper ways to communicate scientific information.

 Within the LUMOS consortium, the Land Use Scanner is used to simulate possible future landuse for theNetherlands. The output of the model might be difficult to communicate to the public. However, correct understandingof this information is essential in, for example, the discussion about initialconditions. Realistic visualization might help to understand the meaning of several scenarios and modeled future landuse.

Research has been done on the possibilities of making existing outputs of the Land Use Scanner more easily understandable by visualizing them in an interactive 3D model. The most natural visualization of model results is achieved when the three dimensions of the virtual environment represent the three dimensions of the real world. Three dimensional representation of objects, together with an intuitive way of moving through the model, make results of spatial modeling, such as in the Land Use Scanner, available for a wide group of receivers.

Some examples
View of predicted land use changes near Utrecht
Flight simulation Bilthoven - Utrecht:
- play simulation over the internet (low resolution)
- download high resolution simulation (14 Mb):  right click mouse and choose 'save as...'