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Application Evaluation Comments Utility /Compatibility with <br />SPDSS data <br /> Freeware; <br /> Relatively easy-to-use mapping application that allows This tool appears to be most <br /> users to view, explore, and print maps (and `globes'). compatible with the full range <br /> Publishing maps to this application requires ArcGIS of SPDSS data; <br /> Publisher extension, which is not free. However, <br /> ArcReader is capable of getting SPDSS data out to many ESRI is developing a freeware <br />ArcReader folks who can then zoom around the map, or fly around tool (ArcExplorer) for 2006 that <br /> the data if a Globe publication. They can also query the appears to embed many of the <br /> data, not possible with most other freeware. Because appealing functions and <br /> ArcReader reads ArcGlobe publications, various capabilities of Google Earth, <br /> visualizations, static images, and fly throughs can be and will not likely require <br /> created in ArcGlobe and readily exported to ArcReader purchase of ArcPublisher. <br /> applications. <br />2.2 Develop Mapping, Visualization, and Presentation Tools <br />Sub-Task 98.2 involved the actual development of the mapping, visualization, and presentation tools. <br />Final deliverables for Sub-Task 98.2 consisted of: <br />• 48 PowerPoint slides of various visualizations of the SPDSS. This file is meant to provide a <br />`grab-bag' of slides to populate various PowerPoint presentations. Figure 2.a and b provide <br />examples of these slides. <br />• Three SPDSS posters: (i) irrigated lands mapping (e.g. Figure 3), (ii) Groundwater, and (iii) <br />Consumptive Use/Water Budget. <br />• Four fly-through videos of irrigated lands, and one video of groundwater surfaces. Figure 4.a <br />provides an example of a scene from afly-through of the alluvial aquifer; Figure 4.b provides an <br />example frame of the bedrock aquifer surface video. <br />• ArcReader application to facilitate dynamic, interactive visualization of SPDSS irrigated lands <br />(Figure 5). <br />These materials were presented to the State at monthly meetings from October 2005-Apri12006 to ensure <br />the visualization concept, content, theme and visualization vehicles (posters, PowerPoint, ArcReader etc.) <br />were appropriate for each visualization tool. These review sessions allowed opportunities for the state to <br />mark-up posters, discuss ideas for inclusion in posters and PowerPoint slides, and to review the <br />ArcReader application at various stages of development. Feedback from the State allowed RTi to make <br />continuous revisions throughout visualization tool development. <br />Documentation for ArcReader is included in the deliverable CD, together with instructions on how to <br />open and use the SPDSS data visualization ArcReader application. <br />3. Comments and Concerns <br />Visual interpretation of data is inherently subjective, and this created some difficulties for both RTi and <br />the State regarding development and interpretation of ideas for portraying SPDSS data. An effective level <br />of understanding was achieved via regular conversations and meetings with the State, the latter enabling <br />review, discussion, and revisions of the content and focus of various visualization tools. <br />Visualization tools, such as Google Earth and ArcExplorer are developing extremely rapidly, so that any <br />one review of these tools is soon out of date. RTi monitored these developments throughout Phase 3 and <br />will continue to do so, particularly with regard to Google Earth, which is having a profound impact on the <br />use of geospatial information by the general public. Uncertainty regarding the direction Google will take <br />with licensing structures means that ArcReader/ArcExplorer remains best suited to the State's <br />requirements for the time being. <br />Page 4 of 7 ~Ixlverslde Technafagy, Inc, <br />Wafer Aescurces Engn~eerrag and Consuffrnq <br />