This was achieved by adding texture and colors to conventional 3D navigation, thus offering a more authentic representation of city landscapes, which should provide enhanced orientation for users.
The new product is based on Navteq’s maps and enables navigable 3D animation to be generated in real-time. It also has special functions: for example, buildings in the foreground can appear in a transparent mode, while leaving texture detail only on the corner for the following maneuver. It offers system developers various customization options on functions, such as texture and camera perspective which can be tailor-made for different products and brands.
The product is highly customizable, allowing applications to adjust the level of detail to match the requirements for specific guidance. This function allows the application to provide only the necessary visual details without overloading the user with information.
3D City models is now available in Western Europe too. The covered area is scheduled to be expanded later this year, and will include Eastern Europe, Asia and South America. The product had already been available in the U.S. .
"Insights from consumer research indicate that people understand visual cues very differently when driving or walking and this lead to much of the innovative design in Enhanced 3D City Models," commented Frank Pauli, vice president EMEA map & content products. "We are focusing on how consumers process visual information in order to develop more intuitive navigation for both drivers and pedestrians,"
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