Frank, et al,
I think we need to be thinking either about making GDAL more interested
in 3D/4D datasets, as that's coming whether we're ready or not... in
fact, for me, it's already here.. and then see if we need to consider
forking or augmenting Mapserver to accommodate it.
I see a lot of conceptual problems for Mapserver, and, for that matter,
a LOT of GIS packages in incorporating 3D/4D data, and presenting it
properly. This has been an issue for GIS practitioners since just about
forever: They think in 2 dimensions and can't, as a group, appreciate
the need for either vertical, or time. They represent time series data
as a series of static images.
I see, in Mapserver, a potential interface. It's open-source and thus
maleable for applications like this. It won't be simple or
straightforward, and in the end, Mapserver might serve solely as an
example framework for a new 3D/4D display/dissemination tool, but it
*is* a starting point.
I'm kinda thinking about a melding of Mapserver and IDV, in th elong run.
gerry
Indeed, as things stand in GDAL and MapServer it would be hardto achieve support for 3D and 4D datasets smoothly. It might bepossible to "hack something up", but I'm not sure how desirablethat would be. At best, it would be fragile and/or dependent onalot of extra configuration information in MapServer which wouldinternally still need to treat results as stacks of 2D bands.
--
Gerry Creager -- gerry.creager@xxxxxxxx
Texas Mesonet -- AATLT, Texas A&M University
Cell: 979.229.5301 Office: 979.458.4020 FAX: 979.847.8578
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