This paper proves that effective interpretation of aerial laser scanning digital elevation models requires appropriate data visualization. The new method which is based on diffuse illumination enabled mapping of previously unknown archaeological sites and improve existing maps. For example, new features have been mapped on a site where archaeological field exploration has been taking place for decades. In addition to the studies of the past cultural and natural landscapes it can be effectively used in other scientific fields in which digital elevation model visualizations and automatic feature extraction techniques are indispensable, e.g. geography, geomorphology, cartography, hydrology, glaciology, forestry and disaster management. The technique has been presented at several international scientific conferences, with great success.
COBISS.SI-ID: 32351021
This paper gives a comparison of analytical hill-shading and sky-view factor. Analytical hill-shading is the most frequently used relief visualization technique. It is based on the direct illumination that makes possible to intuitively recognize relief features. However, it also has several drawbacks. The most critical are its inability to represent linear objects that lie parallel to the direction of the light source and saturation of shadow areas. Authors present a method to calculate sky-view factor that can be used to overcome this problems. It is based on diffuse illumination and can effectively visualize the relief. It enhances the readability of small relief features yet largely preserves the general representation of landscape.
COBISS.SI-ID: 32345645