Traffic layout:
This series of images show how integrating a proposed traffic scheme into a model of the existing surroundings can be used for visualisation and public consultation purposes. This series was created by Manchester City Council, who also created an animation lasting approximately 2.5 minutes, which was released as a video and shown to the public at a local ASDA store. 

A 3D video will enable the locals to understand the proposal far better than a set of paper plans, and being ‘walked’ through new-look streets will give them a more realistic impression of what they will look and feel like than by simply being shown a physical model.

Public consultation:
Virtually all the Applications mentioned on this website come into play either during the planning and design process or during public consultation. 

The ease, simplicity and effectiveness of computer based images, videos and real time presentation techniques make these models the ideal tool for public consultation on any project. The versatility of our 3D models means that various planning application criteria can be safely satisfied by the time the proposal goes out to the public. Be it showing a new traffic calming system (see Traffic layout) or an entire new development (see Planning) within the community, the fully interactive solutions that can be created from our models can be displayed in town halls or posted on the Internet for public feedback. (See also Visualisation.)

Experience shows that, when consulting the public, buildings and objects whose shape, look and texture match the real thing as closely as possible are by far the most effective.

View video of real-time interaction with a textured VRML file.

3D GIS integration:
Our models provide the ideal visual interface for any GIS system that in some shape or form relate to the built environment.

Most buildings are modelled separately, which means they can be linked to a database or GIS system and any amount of data can be associated with each individual building. A building can also be sub-divided into floors. Thus clicking on the 4th floor of an office block may, for instance, display information on occupancy, usage, area information and so forth. Similarly, a query to display all buildings older than twenty years could return all those buildings as displayed in a certain colour. 

Many GIS systems these days are fully equipped to take 3D data simply because the industry has realised the potential that lies in displaying information in this extra dimension.

Rapid prototype models:
However versatile a digital 3D model is, there may be instances where an actual physical model is suitable for certain presentation or publicity purposes. 

Whilst creating your model, we can prepare the 3D CAD file in such a way that it allows you to convert it into a physical object, should you wish. The 3D model can be optimised and exported as a stereo lithographic (STL) file, which in turn can be sent to a rapid prototyping printer. 

A rapid prototype printer is a three dimensional printer, which works by constructing your model from the base up, layer by layer. This can be done by depositing layers of powders which are then bound together or by solidifying liquids in a tank using laser beams. A wide choice of materials can be used including those which are transparent, flexible, temperature resistant or workable (smoothen, drill screws in, paint and so forth) and ready for, for instance, wind tunnel testing. They can even be printed out in full colour. 

Since these models are created from an actual geographically accurate model, all levels follow actual terrains and are dimensionally accurate, although scaled.

Emergency planning:
Many of the features of our digital 3D models make them the ideal tool for various emergency planning teams. 

Zmapping models are fully interactive and have the capacity to be ‘dressed’ to suit. This means a very realistic interface can be created (reminiscent of that of a video game), making them suitable for wider integration with software and systems that allows for customised simulation and training. This means countless situations can be simulated without the need for actually visiting a particular place. 

Inside the model itself, a user may thus move about in a city as in a vehicle, measure the height of any building, measure the distance to a building from a certain street or a second building and even plan emergency evacuations. 

When integrated with a GIS system, people in the emergency services - such as fire-fighters and police officers – are able to rapidly retrieve a host of information on various objects, such as residential dwellings. Our 3D interface aids instant and unambiguous recognition of the details of the sites.

Crime scene investigation:
With a fully interactive three-dimensional model of an urban area, it is possible to simulate scenarios and re-enact things that have happened on the streets. As such, anyone involved in investigating crimes and related incidences may find our type of model useful. For instance, the police can use a 3D model to narrow down the locations from which a sniper could have fired shots at a pedestrian, or help determine the view a person in a particular location would have had of a particular place at a particular time.

Mast installation:
Telecommunication companies and utilities companies may find use for 3D models when planning or altering mast installation in urban areas. Utility companies may also see value in integrating the 3D into their GIS system, so that the supplies related to a, say, twenty-storey building can be easily viewed and retrieved.

Environmental studies:
Scientists, engineers and academics employ 3D models for a range of studies and experiments. One benefit of using a digital model is, of course, that it is possible to simulate a range of events without any impact on the current environment.

Once integrated with suitable specialist software, studies such as wind tunnel tests, pollution studies, noise studies and gas propagation can be carried out and various scenarios simulated. 

Experiments can, of course, be carried out on physical models, in a more conventional way, having used our file to produce either a rapid prototype model or by utilising our measurements to gain accurate dimensions for traditional modelmaking. With a digital model, however, it is possible to carry out tests that encompass huge geographical spaces. Zmapping recently produced a 265 km2 model of Leeds, York and Nottingham for Bluesky International – Getmapping’s master off-line reseller - which is being utilised by Leeds University for noise and pollution studies.