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Geoinformatics 2008 Vol08
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Magaz i ne f or Sur veyi ng, Mappi ng & GI S Pr of es s i onal s
December 2008
Volume 11
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This is only the Beginning
A quick glance at the table of contents in this issue shows a focus on laser scanning.
In sunny California, I was present at the Leica High Definition Surveying and Airborn Sensor
User Conference 2008 and witnessed many inspiring and informative user stories from all
over the world. Some of those stories you will find in this and in subsequent issues of
GeoInformatics. Two things struck me at this conference. The first was the successful integra-
tion of scanning hardware and software into an industry that is so diverse. And the second
was the creativity with which laser scanners are now being used. Almost every speaker
stressed the importance of software products that give highly detailed views of scanned
objects for their customers. Also, with the growing popularity of scanners, new markets are
emerging for products in fields such as forensics and archaeology. This is good news for
companies who are facing the current downturn in the global economy and have to change
their market strategies.
Continuing the laser scanning theme we included some interesting user stories. On the cover
you can see spectacular gypsum crystals, some of which are up to 12 meters in length. In
the accompanying article from Virtualgeo, you can read how the process of surveying and
modelling caves in Mexico has been successfully undertaken. Cultural heritage projects are
a different, but still very interesting field in which laser scanning and photogrammetric
methodologies are being used. The article on Heritage 3D presents an extensive analysis
of how 2D and 3D techniques can be merged and how laser scanning can be used for
archaeology projects. And this is only the beginning...
Enjoy your reading,
Eric van Rees
evanrees@geoinformatics.com
December 2008
3
GeoInformatics provides coverage, analysis and
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Columnist
James Fee
Contributing Writers
Alvaro Anguix
Gerald Albe
Erminio Paolo Canevese
Mario Carrera
Andrew Connell
Laura Daz
Annett Feige
Paolo Forti
Hermann Klug
Lambert-Jan Koops
Huibert-Jan Lekkerkerk
Robert Marschallinger
Caradoc Peters
Lon van der Poel
Adam P. Spring
Remco Takken
Roberta Tedeschi
Trisha Twiss
Andrew Wetherelt
Robert Wick
Peter Zeil
Fritz Zobl
Account Manager
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wwesterhof@geoinformatics.com
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c r o s s m e d i a l p u b l i s h e r
Scanning the Caves of Naica in Mexico
The mine of Naica, in Chihuahua, Mexico became world famous at the
beginning of the last century when gypsum crystals found there proved
to be the largest in the world at that time. In 2005 an international
program was launched to study all the scientific aspects related to
the gypsum crystals. Particularly important was verification by
the Italian company Virtualgeo, as to the possibility of sur-
veying the caves with laser scanning technology, with the
intention of generating a three-dimensional digital model
of the Cueva de los Cristales with the proprietary soft-
ware CloudCUBE.
Multi-brand Test
Robotic Total Stations Part 3
GeoInformatics is presenting a new series on user
tests of robotic total stations. Each of the next sev-
eral issues will include the results of testing a dif-
ferent robotic station. The same structure will be
used for every test so that comparisons can be made
between the different instruments. This, the third test in
the series, is of a Leica TCRP1201+.
C o n t e n t
December 2008
Articles
Laser Scanning Technology in Extreme Environments 6
Scanning the Caves of Naica in Mexico
A new generation from Jena 18
Instruments and Solutions for Earth Observation
The most recent version of the Internet 24
What exactly is Web 2.0?
Magellans latest GPS Tools 26
Making Forest Management simpler and less costly
GNSS Update 30
Solar Cycle and beyond
Spatially Explicit Modeling of Phosphorus Emissions 32
Integrating GIS and Remote Sensing
for Hydrological Modeling
Open Source in Spain: the gvSIG Project 36
A GIS Desktop Solution for an Open SDI
GeoBIM 40
Subsurface Geo Building Information Modelling
3D Laser Scanning and its 2D Partners 50
Looking forward to a Harmonious Future together
Page 6
Page 14
Latest News? Visit www.geoinformatics.com
5
December 2008
On the Cover:
A general overview of the Cueva de los Cristales (Mexico). In 2005 an inter-
national program was launched to study all the scientific aspects related to
the gypsum crystals inside the cave. Among them, particularly important was
the verification, by the Italian company Virtualgeo, of the possibility to survey
the caves with laser scanning technology and the realization of the three-
dimensional digital model of the Cueva de los Cristales with the proprietary
software CloudCUBE (see article, page 6).
Photo credit: Roberta Tedeschi, Speleoresearch & Films and La Venta Exploring Team Archives.
Subsurface Geo Building Information
Modelling
In most geotechnical or construction projects civil engineers have to
conscientiously consider both technical subsurface objects and natural
bedrock objects. From a civil engineers perspective, there is an urgent
need to extend the Building Information Model concept to the subsurface
realm, incorporating the surrounding natural environment.
Page 6
Magellans latest GPS Tools
The latest GIS and GPS technologies are offering new efficiencies for land
managers. Forest and woodlot property mapping and management are
increasingly more accurate and less time-consuming tasks with the newest
handheld GPS receivers. Now field teams can accurately map and
inventory more types of data in less time to permit land managers to
maintain up-to-date and comprehensive resource data. The rugged
all-in-one quality of the new handheld Magellan MobileMapper CX GIS/GPS
receiver is proving especially valuable to land managers in both Europe
and the United States.
Page 26
Implementing Geocortex Esstials 56
Migrating Vernons existing Mapping Platform
GeoVisionary 58
Where Virtual Reality Technology meets GIS
Product Review
Leica TPS 1200+ 14
Multi-brand Test Robotic Total Stations Part 3
Columns
Data Discovery 55
By James Fee
Conferences
Biggest GIS Event outside of the US 44
ESRIs EMEA User Conference in London
Leica Geosystems HDS and Airborne 46
Sensor User Conference
Sharing Worldwide User Experiences
Calendar 62
Advertisers Index 62
Page 40
Scanning the Caves of Naica in Mexico
Laser Scanni ng Technol ogy i n
Ext reme Envi ronment s
The mine of Naica, in Chihuahua, Mexico became world famous at the beginning of the last century when gypsum crystals
found there proved to be the largest in the world at that time. In 2001, three new caves were discovered in the same mine
containing truly gigantic gypsum crystals. In 2005 an international program was launched to study all the scientific
aspects related to the gypsum crystals. Particularly important was verification by the Italian company Virtualgeo, as to the
possibility of surveying the caves with laser scanning technology, with the intention of generating a three-dimensional
digital model of the Cueva de los Cristales with the proprietary software CloudCUBE.
By Erminio Paolo Canevese, Roberta Tedeschi and Paolo Forti.
such an extraordinary site. However, for the
past two years a multidisciplinary, systematic
study on the caves of Naica and their gigan-
tic gypsum crystals, has been underway,
thanks to an agreement between Compagnia
Peoles, the mine owner, Speleoresearch &
Films from Mexico City and the Italian explor-
ing team La Venta.
The purpose of the project, which will last four
years, is not just to carry out multidisciplinary
research in the various fields of interest con-
cerning the caves, but also to search for a
are exhibited today in many of the most
important mineralogical museums around the
world.
After almost 100 years, 170 meters below the
surface, the mining advancement works
discovered another three natural cavities
containing huge, very transparent gypsum
crystals. Here in the Cueva de los Cristales,
they can reach up to 12 meters in length and
almost 2 meters in diameter, creating a true
forest of crystals (Image 1).
From 2001 to 2008 few persons could visit
Since the beginning of its exploitation at the
end of 19th century, the mine of Naica has
been revealed to be one of the richest in sil-
ver on earth. Its international fame increased
in 1910 when the mining activity discovered
just 120 meters deep from the entrance, a
cave (the Cueva de las Espadas). Although
just a small cave, it was composed of an 87
meter corridor, which was completely covered
with gypsum crystals which were as much as
two meters in length. The cave was rapidly
stripped of a large part of its treasures, which
6
Ar t i cl e
December 2008
Image 1 A general overview of the Cueva de los
Cristales (Roberta Tedeschi, Speleoresearch & Films
and La Venta Exploring Team Archives).
results of the laser scanning survey carried
out by Virtualgeo, which are introduced and
developed in detail.
Geological Setting
The mine of Naica is located in a semideser-
tic area about 100 km south-east of
Chihuahua, the capital city of the Mexican
state bearing the same name, which borders
on the USA (Image 2). This area is crossed by
a series of low ridges, along a NW-SE direc-
tion. The mine opens on the northern side of
one of these ridges, the Sierra de Naica. It is
an anticline, composed of carbonate forma-
tions, 12 km long and 7 km wide, outcrop-
ping from a wide alluvial plain.
The structural control on the localization of
the ore bodies was affected by two different
families of faults, of which Gibraltar fault and
Naica fault are the most important. These two
An international team of researchers has been
organized to answer all these questions, in
which more than 40 scientists from 17 univer-
sities and 2 research centres are participat-
ing.
The first results of the Naica Project were illus-
trated in December 2007 during the confer-
ence Naica caves: exploration, documenta-
tion, research organized by the Department
of Earth and Geo-Environmental Sciences of
Bologna University (Italy). Besides reporting
on the first output of the laser scanning sur-
vey, Virtualgeo set up a structure equipped
for stereoscopic visualization, making possi-
ble a virtual visit in three-dimensions of the
caves, using pictures taken in stereoscopy by
the company.
This article explains the geological setting of
the area, a genetic-evolutionary description of
the caves and their crystals, together with the
December 2008
7
Image 2 Geological sketch of the Sierra de Naica with the location of the actually known caves (after FORTI
2008b, modified).
Image 3 3D laser scanning
in the Cueva de los Cristales
in Naica (Mexico).
possible way to keep such a geologic won-
der available for future generations.
Why did such big crystals grow?
When did it happen and how long did it
take?
Which relationships exist between ore
bodies and crystals?
Was the crystals genesis at least partially
influenced by micro-organisms?
Apart from the huge crystals, what kind
of speleothems grew?
What was the speleogenetic evolution of
the caves of Naica?
Are the caves evolving at the present time?
What was and what is now the impact of
human activity on the caves and
crystals?
How to preserve the caves of Naica
and at the same time allow their public
fruition?
Is it possible to keep accessible the caves
and their crystals after the end of mining
activities?
(Speleoresearch & Films)
faults have always controlled the hydrother-
mal circulation; in fact, these structures direct
almost the whole of the waters coming out
from the deep mining galleries even today.
Nowadays the mining activities have reached
-760 meters in dept, 640 meters under the
original piezometric level. It is necessary
therefore to pump about 1 m3/s of water out
in order to proceed to the ore body exploita-
tion. It is expected that mining activity will
end in 5-7 years, which means the water
pumping operations will also cease. As an
immediate consequence, the caves and their
crystals will be submerged under 170 meters
of thermal water.
Gypsum Crystals Genesis and
Evolution
The three caves found at -290 meters (Cueva
de los Cristales, Ojo de la Reina and Cueva
de las Velas), although very close each other
host gypsum crystals which are different both
in size and shape.
In all the three cavities euhedral crystals are
present which are transparent and very pure
even with numerous fluid inclusions. They
often have a tabular prismatic habit up to 2
meters in length. Their remarkable dimen-
sions, the particularly acute angles and the
vertical alignment of crystals sometimes cre-
ate an impressive and huge shark teeth-like
structure.
In two of the three caves, crystals almost com-
pletely cover the walls, transforming them into
gigantic geodes. Only in the Cueva de los
Cristales is the greater part of the roof not
covered with gypsum crystals. However, this
cavity has the crystals with the biggest dimen-
sions. There are about one hundred prismatic
crystals, rare swallowtail-twin, very long and
well developed from the floor to the roof of
the cavity, often exceeding 8 meters in length
(Image 1). Their growth was halted only
recently when less than 20 years ago, the
mine dewatering operations suddenly
deprived the crystals of the thermal water in
which they were growing. It was possible to
compute the age of the gigantic crystals: the
fist absolute dating with 230Th/ 234U method
indicates an evolution time around 400-
500.000 years.
Cavities Evolution throughout Time
Until recently studies focused on the process-
es which allowed the huge gypsum crystals
to grow while the evolutionary stages that
characterised the different caves of Naica were
completely ignored. However, this has now
changed with recent studies.
Undoubtedly, the Cueva de las Espadas is the
most interesting and important cave for the
speleogenetical study. During its evolution it
passed through all the environments and was
the scene of all the processes which charac-
terized Naica. The deepest caves (Cristales,
Reina and Velas) quickly passed from deep
phreatic to vadose condition when, about 20
years ago, the mine dewatering depressed the
groundwater below level -290.
Gypsum deposition in the caves at -290 con-
tinued until 20 years ago when the mine
dewatering operations caused them to com-
pletely drain. It has to be said, however, such
an event did not mean the end of the evolu-
tion of these caves: on the contrary. Now, in
fact, all the cavities of Naica have the same
speleogenetic evolution, which by means of
oxidation, acid aggression, and strong evapo-
ration processes is giving off a series of new
minerals, also rare. Unfortunately, the pro-
cesses which are activated when draining
takes place are also responsible for the con-
densation phenomenon on the surface of gyp-
sum crystals. This means they could not only
risk losing their main aesthetic characteristics
of lustre and transparency but also, objective-
ly, their complete destruction in the medium
term.
Laser Scanning Survey of Naica
Caves
In the Naica Project, Virtualgeos work entered
in the frame of the investigations concerning
the topography of the caves, which consisted
of laser scanning surveying of Cuevas de los
Cristales (Image 3) and de las Espadas (Image
4). The aim of the survey was to document
the present conditions of the caves by con-
structing a high precision three-dimensional
geometric database, to include colour param-
eters of the morphology and visual aspect of
the caves and crystals. It is an essential oper-
ation, designed to safeguard the knowledge
and value of a unique ecosystem which will
probably be submerged under water when
mining activities cease in a few years.
Virtualgeo has been working in the field of
geomatics, software development and com-
munication since 1994. It supplies services for
the study, preservation and evaluation of cul-
tural and environmental heritage. Since its
inception, the company has been character-
ized by its use of advanced instruments and
software solutions. On the first official expe-
dition of the project, in May 2007, Virtualgeo
carried out the survey with a phase shift
technology based-laser scanner under the
direction of its technical manager, geologist
Roberta Tedeschi. On surveying in caves,
problems were found with the extension and
development of cavities (which often imply
operative and logistic difficulties) as well as
the irregular shape of surfaces. Such surfaces
are difficult to measure with a high detail level
using traditional survey techniques because
of their extension and intrinsic complexity as
well as the kind of hypogeal environment.
Under these conditions, traditional survey
techniques allow only rough surveys. It is
hard to identify a morphometric survey
method that can be automatic, and valid for
all types of hypogeal contexts and different
application cases. One that can minimise mea-
surement errors, reduce operating times and
costs (operations on site and during data
elaboration) and increase the quality and
quantity of acquired information. In addition,
the caves of Naica have peculiar features mak-
ing them difficult to survey. The survey cam-
paign was carried out in extreme ambient con-
ditions (48C temperature and humidity close
to 100% in the Cueva del los Cristales) both
for technicians physiology and laser scanner
functionality (which is guaranteed by the pro-
ducer to work 5 up to 40C of ambient tem-
perature and without condensation). The pro-
hibitive microclimate with the limited risky
mobility around the crystals to move and fix
the scanning stations with all the survey
equipment (laptop, cables, power supply
devices, etc.), affected the activity of techni-
8
Ar t i cl e
December 2008
Image 4 3D laser scanning in the Cueva
de las Espadas in Naica (Mexico).
(Speleoresearch & Films)
cians who could work only wearing the spe-
cial equipment prepared by La Venta team for
the whole expedition. The total duration of all
the necessary survey operations in the caves
was 3 hours (over 2 working days), of which
20 minutes were taken for the scanning. In the
Cueva de las Espadas and Cueva de los
Cristales, 4 scans were affected with a phase
shift technology-based laser scanner, which
measures the distance of the surveyed object
comparing three pulses of different wave-
lengths reflected back to the scanner (techni-
cal data concerning such laser scanner are list-
ed in Table 1). The spatial coordinates and,
thanks to the camera incorporated in the laser
scanner, RGB colour values of more than 43
million points were acquired. The number of
scans and the millions of points generated by
the laser scanner, the amount of pictures taken
by the integrated camera and the full weight
of the digital data obtained from the survey
campaign in Naica are listed in Table 2.
gle gypsum crystal.Exploiting the functionali-
ties offered by CloudCUBE software, the work-
flow proceeded to the three-dimensional
model, the morphology of the cavity and its
giant crystals. The three-dimensional digital
model of the Cueva de los Cristales is visible
in shade modality, in Image 7. With
CloudCUBE it is possible to rapidly obtain
from the three-dimensional model of the cave
any type of dimensional information, such as
horizontal and vertical compound sections
(which are sections combined with line eleva-
tions and point clouds images), and axono-
metric projections and cutaways of the caves
present conditions. The digital model can be
generated with levels of detail which can be
customized according to the specific use to
which the 3D model is designed. Such use
can be scientific (and allow also the dis-
tance study of caves) or connected with pub-
lic dissemination. Besides the study of the
caves present conditions, with CloudCUBE
each specialist can produce digital models to
use for simulation and verification processes
of various study hypotheses (related to
speleogenesis, for instance) or in evaluation
of project hypotheses for the preservation of
caves, with the possibility to elaborate on
graphic-numeric representations.
The three-dimensional digital reconstruction
of the Cueva de los Cristales is the result of
a pilot investigation, which found in laser
scanning technology and a reverse modelling
methodological approach, a practicable solu-
tion to document an object in the most
complete way possible, limiting the risks
associated with insufficient and/or inadequate
data acquisition. It is a practical approach that
can be extended to whatever contexts in
which it is necessary to manage a remarkable
morphologic complexity, and a large amount
of survey data. Moreover, in Naica the rapidi-
ty of the data acquisition by laser scanning
allowed us to get over the obstacle of ambi-
ent conditions, which objectively could not be
overcome by any other kind of traditional sur-
vey.
Conclusion
Although the multidisciplinary research pro-
ject onn the caves of Naica has only recently
started, some of the results obtained are
already of extraordinary interest. In fact, an
absolutely new mechanism was discovered,
based on the differences in solubility between
gypsum and anhydrite below 59C, which
allowed the gigantic gypsum to develop. Also,
for the first time, perfectly preserved pollens
have been found inside the gypsum crystals,
which seem to allow particularly interesting
paleoclimatic reconstructions. At last, in the
field of microbiology, the research of
Data Elaborations and First Outputs
After registering the scans of the Cueva de las
Espadas, the post-processing of the data
acquired with the laser scanner was per-
formed with CloudCUBE, the software devel-
oped by Virtualgeo for managing and three-
dimensional modelling of point clouds on an
AutoCAD platform. The work required the
importation of the point cloud data in
AutoCAD. Once the cloud had been visualized,
it was carefully cleaned and filtered to remove
noise and non-significant points. The output
of this preliminary phase for the Cueva de los
Cristales is given in Image 5. The following
stage focused on the Cueva de los Cristales
and consisted of organizing the point cloud
to obtain an efficiently ordered basis, accord-
ing to the requirements and purpose of the
survey, on which it was possible to work with
time optimization. Image 6 displays a point
cloud divided into sub-clouds, identified with
different colours, each corresponding to a sin-
Latest News? Visit www.geoinformatics.com
Ar t i cl e
9
December 2008
Image 6 Cueva de los Cristales: organization, on AutoCAD platform with Virtualgeo CloudCUBE software,
of the point cloud in sub-clouds. Each sub-cloud corresponds to a gypsum crystal.
Laser scanner CAM2 LS 880
Range 0,6 metres 76 metres
Measurement Speed 120.000 points/second
Systematic Distance Error +/- 3 millimetres at 25 metres
Vertical Field of View 320
Horizontal Field of View 360
Scanning Time 2 million points in 20 seconds
Weight 14,5 kg
Camera Nikon D70
Pixel 6,1 M
Cueva de los Cristales Cueva de las Espadas
Number of scans acquired 1 3
Number of points acquired 13.180.893 30.032.525
Number of 2D images acquired 10 30
Amount of laser data acquired 1 gigabyte 3 gigabyte
Amount of 2D images acquired 45 megabyte 135 megabyte
Table 1 Technical data concerning the laser scanner used by Virtualgeo to survey the Cuevas de los Cristales and
de las Espadas in Naica.
Table 2 Number of scans and millions points acquired by laser scanner, amount of pictures taken by the
integrated camera and full weight of digital data for each of the caves surveyed by Virtualgeo.
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extremophile micro-organisms, even if just
started, seems to be very promising and the
discovery of new species is expected within a
short time. The possibility of using a laser
scanner for the morphometric survey of the
caves, galleries and crystals of the mine, was
verified. As was the ability to treat the
acquired point clouds by means of a reverse
modelling logic, with the tools provided by
CloudCUBE in order to obtain a three-dimen-
sional digital reconstruction of the hypogeal
contexts.
All the research has to be completed within a
short time. In fact, all the karst phenomena
at level -290 will only be accessible for anoth-
er few years until the mining activities come
to a halt and the caves are submerged under
170 meters of thermal water.
produced a series of videos to document all
the exploration and scientific research phases
carried out inside these caves. In this regard,
as proved by Virtualgeo, it is extremely impor-
tant to use laser scanning to survey caves and
crystals in order to create a high precision
three-dimensional database. With this
detailed information it is possible to produce
three-dimensional digital models and graphic
representations for purposes of specialist
study. This information will also be available
to different disciplines for various applica-
tions, and scientific dissemination, and should
the requirement arise, allow an exact repro-
duction to be created of such a geological
wonder of our planet Earth.
Erminio Paolo Canevese
erminio.canevese@virtualgeo.it is president of
Virtualgeo s.r.l. and S.P.A.R.T.A. s.r.l.
(Societ Promozione Analisi Realizzo Tecnologie
Avanzate - Promotion Analysis Realization Advanced
Technologies Company), owner of the Studio
Topografico Canevese (Canevese Surveying Company),
and applies since 1985 to geomatics and
communication supporting preservation and
advancement of architectural, archaeological
and environmental heritage.
Roberta Tedeschi roberta.tedeschi@virtualgeo.it has a
Geology degree and has been applying to new
technologies connected with geomatics for 20 years.
She is technical manager of Virtualgeo s.r.l. and
partner of S.P.A.R.T.A. s.r.l. working in the
field of environmental planning.
Paolo Forti paolo.forti@unibo.it is Professor of
Speleology and Geomorphology at Bologna University.
In over 40 years of researches he explored and studied
caves in more than 50 counties in 4 continents. His
main fields of interests are speleogenesis and karst
minerogenesis.
Acknowledgements
Thanks are due to Speleoresearch & Films and
exploring team La Venta for their collabora-
tion, CAM2 S.r.l.-FARO Technologies Inc. for
the laser scanner, Compaa Minera Peoles
for the permission to access the mine.
Actually, the gypsum crystals of Naica run the
risk of being destroyed before that time
because of the condensation phenomena. In
fact the walls of all the caves at level -290
cool down quite rapidly (data available regis-
ter a mean cooling of 0.5C per year) because
of the forced ventilation of the mining gal-
leries (Image 8). This means the cave walls
will soon reach a sufficiently low temperature,
with respect to hot vapours rising from the
bottom of the mine, to reach and go beyond
the dew point with the immediate conse-
quence of a rapid dissolution of gypsum crys-
tals. This process has already started in the
smallest cave at -290 (Ojo de la Reina), where
the big gypsum crystals are dissolving and
rapidly transforming into calcite speleothems.
Temperature data registered has indicated
that the same process
would start inside the
Cueva de los Cristales
in two years at
most.Therefore one of
the main purposes of
Naica Project is to
find the best way to
safeguard and pass
on to future genera-
tions a large part of
such an unbelievable
underground world
and, in case it would
be absolutely impos-
sible, to leave the
most complete and
punctual documenta-
tion. For this reason
Speleoresearch &
Films, with La Venta,
Latest News? Visit www.geoinformatics.com
Ar t i cl e
December 2008
Image 6 Cueva de los Cristales: organization, on AutoCAD platform with Virtualgeo
CloudCUBE software, of the point cloud in sub-clouds. Each sub-cloud corresponds to a gypsum
crystal.
Image 7 Cueva de los Cristales: three-dimensional model of the cave and crystals,
visualized in shade modality, obtained on AutoCAD platform with Virtualgeo
CloudCUBE software.
Image 8 - Diagram showing the temperature decrease in Cueva de los
Cristales and Ojo de la Reina in the last six years.
11
ArcGIS
SQL Server
2008 support, a
new image service, version
management, enhancements
to geodatabase replication,
and better geocoding.
Better Maps
ArcGIS 9.3 includes many
enhancements that make it
easier than ever to create
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maps. These enhancements
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for ArcGIS, better contour
labeling and more control over
where labels are placed inside
and around polygons.
Dissemination of
Information
ArcGIS 9.3 makes dissemination
of geographic information
much easier. New tools
that aid in dissemination
include improved map cache
management, which allows
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