European Journal of Business Science and Technology 2025, 11(1):129-140 | DOI: 10.11118/ejobsat.2025.005

3D Geospatial Data Visualization in VR

Michal Mitter1, Jaromír Landa1, Ivo Pisařovic1, David Procházka1, Michael Varga1, František Dařena1
1 Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic

The use of Virtual Reality (VR) to visualize data is increasingly common in various fields, from medical science to education. However, visualization of geospatial data in VR is still not handled well. GIS data comes in various formats and converting them to 3D can be challenging. The choice of a format capable of streaming large amounts of spatial data in the VR scene is crucial. However, the challenge lies in ensuring the reusability of the presented scenes with different GIS data. Most applications (including the 3D scene models) are created for a single use case and do not allow for simple interchangeability of presented data. This article proposes a reusable architecture of a general-purpose web service for processing and visualizing spatial data in VR using 3D Tiles as the chosen format. The goal of the architecture is to allow fast VR scene generation from GIS data. The critical aspect is the conversion of standard GIS format to 3D Tiles. Several conversion tools were tested and compared using publicly available point and polygon feature layers in order to choose which can be used in the proposed architecture.

Keywords: virtual reality, spatial data, 3D Tiles, data conversion
JEL classification: L63, L86

Received: April 15, 2024; Revised: March 3, 2025; Accepted: May 7, 2025; Published: June 30, 2025  Show citation

ACS AIP APA ASA Harvard Chicago IEEE ISO690 MLA NLM Turabian Vancouver
Mitter, M., Landa, J., Pisařovic, I., Procházka, D., Varga, M., & Dařena, F. (2025). 3D Geospatial Data Visualization in VR. European Journal of Business Science and Technology, 11(1), 129-140. doi: 10.11118/ejobsat.2025.005
Share...
Download citation
  • BibTeX (.bib)
  • Bookends (.ris)
  • EasyBib (.ris)
  • EndNote (.enw)
  • EndNote 8 (.xml)
  • ISI WoS (.isi)
  • Medlars (.medlars)
  • Mendeley (.ris)
  • MODS (.xml)
  • Papers (.ris)
  • RefWorks (.txt)
  • RefManager (.ris)
  • RIS (.ris)
  • MS Word (.xml)
  • Zotero (.ris)
    • Open full article

    References

    1. Antoniou, V., Bonali, F. L., Nomikou, P., Tibaldi, A., Melissinos, P., Mariotto, F. P., Vitello, F., Krokos, M. & Whitworth, M. 2020. Integrating Virtual Reality and GIS Tools for Geological Mapping, Data Collection and Analysis: An Example from the Metaxa Mine, Santorini (Greece). Applied Sciences, 10 (23), 8317. DOI: 10.3390/app10238317 Go to original source...
    2. Bagher, M. M., Sajjadi, P., Wallgrün, J. O., LaFemina, P. C. & Klippel, A. 2022. Virtual Reality for Geospatial Education: Immersive Technologies Enhance Sense of Embodiment. Cartography and Geographic Information Science, 50 (3), 233-248. DOI: 10.1080/15230406.2022.2122569 Go to original source...
    3. Belayneh, T. 2022. Indexed 3D Scene Layers (I3S) - An Efficient Encoding and Streaming OGC Community Standard for Massive Geospatial Content. The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, XLIII-B4-2022, 349-355. DOI: 10.5194/isprs-archives-xliii-b4-2022-349-2022 Go to original source...
    4. Boulos, M. N. K., Lu, Z., Guerrero, P., Jennett, C. & Steed, A. 2017. From Urban Planning and Emergency Training to Pokémon Go: Applications of Virtual Reality GIS (VRGIS) and Augmented Reality GIS (ARGIS) in Personal, Public and Environmental Health. International Journal of Health Geographics, 16 (7). DOI: 10.1186/s12942-017-0081-0 Go to original source...
    5. Campanaro, D. M. & Landeschi, G. 2022. Re-Viewing Pompeian Domestic Space Through Combined Virtual Reality-Based Eye Tracking and 3D GIS. Antiquity, 96 (386), 479-486. DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2022.12 Go to original source...
    6. CesiumGS. 2024a. 3D Tiles Specification [online]. GitHub. Available at: https://github.com/CesiumGS/3d-tiles
    7. CesiumGS. 2024b. Quantized-mesh Specification [online]. GitHub. Available at: https://github.com/CesiumGS/quantized-mesh
    8. Choromański, K., Łobodecki, J., Puchała, K. & Ostrowski, W. 2019. Development of Virtual Reality Application for Cultural Heritage Visualization for Multi-Source 3D Data. The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, XLII-2/W9, 261-267. DOI: 10.5194/isprs-archives-xlii-2-w9-261-2019 Go to original source...
    9. Du, J., Zou, Z., Shi, Y. & Zhao, D. 2018. Zero Latency: Real-Time Synchronization of BIM Data in Virtual Reality for Collaborative Decision-Making. Automation in Construction, 85, 51-64. DOI: 10.1016/j.autcon.2017.10.009 Go to original source...
    10. El Halabi, A. S., El Sayad, Z. T. & Ayad, H. M. 2019. VRGIS as Assistance Tool for Urban Decision Making. Alexandria Engineering Journal, 58 (1), 367-375. DOI: 10.1016/j.aej.2018.07.016 Go to original source...
    11. Esri. 2024. Scene Layers: Service and Package Standard [online]. GitHub. Available at: https://github.com/Esri/i3s-spec
    12. Geodan. 2024. Pg2b3dm: Tool for Creating 3D Tiles from PostGIS Geometries [online]. GitHub. Available at: https://github.com/Geodan/pg2b3dm
    13. Halik, Ł. 2018. Challenges in Converting the Polish Topographic Database of Built-Up Areas into 3D Virtual Reality Geovisualization. The Cartographic Journal, 55 (4), 391-399. DOI: 10.1080/00087041.2018.1541204 Go to original source...
    14. Hruby, F., Ressl, R. & de la Borbolla del Valle, G. 2018. Geovisualization with Immersive Virtual Environments in Theory and Practice. International Journal of Digital Earth, 12 (2), 123-136. DOI: 10.1080/17538947.2018.1501106 Go to original source...
    15. Kersten, T. P., Tschirschwitz, F. & Deggim, S. 2017. Development of a Virtual Museum Including a 4D Presentation of Building History in Virtual Reality. The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, XLII-2/W3, 361-367. DOI: 10.5194/isprs-archives-xlii-2-w3-361-2017 Go to original source...
    16. La Salandra, A., Frajberg, D. & Fraternali, P. 2019. A Virtual Reality Application for Augmented Panoramic Mountain Images. Virtual Reality, 24 (1), 123-141. DOI: 10.1007/s10055-019-00385-x Go to original source...
    17. León, J., Gubler, A., Catalán, P. A., Correa, M., Castañeda, J. V., Beninati, G. & Ogueda, A. 2023. Assessing Potential Tsunami Vertical-Evacuation Practices: A Study of Four Cases in Chile Using Virtual Reality and GIS. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 98, 104098. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdrr.2023.104098 Go to original source...
    18. Letić, M., Nenadić, K. & Nikolić, L. 2018. Real-Time Map Projection in Virtual Reality Using WebVR. In 2018 41st International Convention on Information and Communication Technology, Electronics and Microelectronics (MIPRO), 1439-1443. DOI: 10.23919/mipro.2018.8400259 Go to original source...
    19. Lindquist, M. & Campbell-Arvai, V. 2021. Co-Designing Vacant Lots Using Interactive 3D Visualizations - Development and Application of the Land.Info DSS. Landscape and Urban Planning, 210, 104082. DOI: 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2021.104082 Go to original source...
    20. Lv, Z., Yin, T., Zhang, X., Song, H. & Chen, G. 2016. Virtual Reality Smart City based on WebVRGIS. IEEE Internet of Things Journal, 3 (6), 1015-1024. DOI: 10.1109/jiot.2016.2546307 Go to original source...
    21. Open Geospatial Consortium. 2019. 3D Tiles Specification 1.0 [online]. Available at: https://docs.ogc.org/cs/22-025r4/22-025r4.html
    22. Open Geospatial Consortium. 2023. Indexed 3D Scene Layers (I3S) [online]. Available at: https://www.ogc.org/standard/i3s/
    23. Rahman, A. A., Rashidan, H., Musliman, I. A., Buyuksalih, G., Bayburt, S. & Baskaraca, P. 2019. 3D Geospatial Database Schema for Istanbul 3D City Model. The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, XLII-4/W16, 11-16. DOI: 10.5194/isprs-archives-xlii-4-w16-11-2019 Go to original source...
    24. Sermet, Y. & Demir, İ. 2022. GeospatialVR: A Web-Based Virtual Reality Framework for Collaborative Environmental Simulations. Computers & Geosciences, 159, 105010. DOI: 10.1016/j.cageo.2021.105010 Go to original source...
    25. Spur, M., Tourre, V., David, E., Moreau, G. & Le Callet, P. 2020. MapStack: Exploring Multilayered Geospatial Data in Virtual Reality. In Proceedings of the 15th International Joint Conference on Computer Vision, Imaging and Computer Graphics Theory and Applications (VISIGRAPP), pp. 88-99. DOI: 10.5220/0008978600880099 Go to original source...
    26. Vanden Broucke, S. & Deligiannis, N. 2019. Visualization of Real-Time Heterogeneous Smart City Data Using Virtual Reality. In 2019 IEEE International Smart Cities Conference (ISC2), pp. 685-690. DOI: 10.1109/isc246665.2019.9071699 Go to original source...
    27. Wang, C., Hou, J., Miller, D., Brown, I. & Jiang, Y. 2019. Flood Risk Management in Sponge Cities: The Role of Integrated Simulation and 3D Visualization. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 39, 101139. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdrr.2019.101139 Go to original source...
    28. Wang, X., Cong, G., Yuen, D. A. & Luo, G. 2020. GeoVReality: A Computational Interactive Virtual Reality Visualization Framework and Workflow for Geophysical Research. Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors, 298, 106312. DOI: 10.1016/j.pepi.2019.106312 Go to original source...
    29. Würstle, P., Padsala, R., Santhanavanich, T. & Coors, V. 2022. Viability Testing of Game Engine Usage for Visualization of 3D Geospatial Data with OGC Standards. ISPRS Annals of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, X-4/W2-2022, 281-288. DOI: 10.5194/isprs-annals-x-4-w2-2022-281-2022 Go to original source...
    30. Yang, Y., Jenny, B., Dwyer, T., Marriott, K., Chen, H. & Cordeil, M. 2018. Maps and Globes in Virtual Reality. Computer Graphics Forum, 37 (3), 427-438. DOI: 10.1111/cgf.13431 Go to original source...
    31. Zuo, H. 2020. The Construction of Stratigraphic Structure Model in Mining Area under Virtual Reality-Geographic Information System. Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 13 (17), 853. DOI: 10.1007/s12517-020-05844-3 Go to original source...

    This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-SA 4.0), which permits use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original publication is properly cited. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.


    Return to the content