| Since the 20th century, especially the years after the 80's when the development of modern science and technology has taken on a rapid path, the art and science of Map Making has undertaken many great changes. With the infiltration and integration of various geography-related areas of studies, the advancement in CAD technique and the recent development of GIS, the time to design a map is greatly shortened, and the workmanship of manufacturing a map has gradually shifted from hand-drawn to a combination of computer assisted drafting and printing.This advancement in map making process has given birth to various new types of maps, other than paper map, that were once impossible to make by hand in the past. These new types of maps, such as digital map, electronic map, 3D map, and internet map, continue to compliment and coexist with the traditional paper map. Whether it is a paper map or a digital map, map symbol is a language used to express the content of the map. It includes various types of symbols, figures and characters that are different in forms, sizes and colours, which in term when combined, express different meanings and represent different features. These map symbols express the spatial distribution and properties associated with specific actual geographical entities. As the development of map making continues and the application of map usage constantly expands, the demand for more map symbols is also on the rise. Though the traditional method of map making is slowly being replaced by newer digital method with the rapid advancement in computer technology, information technology, remote sensing technology, G1S, and virtual reality; the usage of map symbols in digital map remains unchanged and is built upon the foundation of traditional map symbols.At present, map symbols are mostly two-dimensional (2D) icons. The usage of 3D map symbols is very limited and these symbols are usually made of simple spherical cylindrical and cubical geometric shapes. Map symbols are now mainly stored in computer database linked to special map templates for map making. The study on map symbols in China mainly focuses on symbols in specialized maps and relies heavily on 2D traditional paper map symbols than the more complicated 3D symbols.Although the design and making of 3D map symbols are used in the study of 3D city map, these symbols lack topographical representation. Though the study on viewable 3D topographical map is mature now, the focus is mainly on overall scenic representation and less on specific landscape features, especially the overall integration of both the topographical and surface features.Based on the ever increasing market demand for maps and the developing trend of digital map, GIS, and digital globe at present, the author will attempt to sum up results from previous studies done by others and use this outcome to further research on the representation of 3D map symbols especially those used in specialized maps, and the design and making of these symbols in digital maps. The author hopes this research will provide feasible reference and lay the foundation for the making of 3Dmap symbols in virtual reality and digital globe.The thesis consists of five parts:PART I:Both domestic and international studies on map symbols, and present state and future trend of digital map and 3D-GIS, will be discussed in this section. The author will attempt to analyse the advantages and shortcomings of some of the currently available leading map symbol software and point out the significance, purpose and goal of 3D map symbol study.PART II:In Part Two, the author will expound theoretically the history and development of 3D symbol used in early and current digital map, and point out its benefits and features. Based on the elemental design of 2D map symbol, the author will propose some formation of possible 3D map symbol and can be use in digital map.PART III: According to the characteristics and existing making methods of 3D map symbol, 3D symbols can be further subdivided into area-form, line-form and dot-form.
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