Use of Simulation Training For 3D and Spatial Data Personnel

Posted on 05. Jul, 2012 by 3DVW in 3D CAD, 3D GIS, 3D Simulation, 3D Visualization

Simulation is increasingly being used as a training tool. But there are few directions and bearings for training and educating 3D professionals and organisations wishing to use these technologies. While geographic information systems (GIS), computer aided-design (CAD) and other manufacturers support training on the technical side, it remains difficult to find people and programs that integrate technology for understanding 3D and visualization in an integrated fashion.

Although there are professional bodies in several fields including cartography, surveying, engineering and design, many of these disciplines employ tools during the course of disciplinary problem-solving. But where do you go to learn about dropping into an emergency zone, establishing tools, communication and assessment strategies and publishing results in a collaborative way – all from the field? While experience is a great teacher, simulation offers far more people with the opportunity to learn, practise and exercise their own capabilities.

Company’s like CAE have embarked on the pursuit of using simulation for the training of nurses. They reason that technology, knowledge and experience are part of making good nurses and helping them to do better jobs.  Through the use of simulation, mistakes can be made, and new challenges integrated into practice. This offers the possibility for reducing errors, improving performance and ensuring nurses are confident to handle challenges.

We often hear that many company’s are looking for people, but cannot find the appropriate people to hire. They often cite the rich blend of experience, knowledge and technical knowledge as the secret sauce to making the grade.

There is not enough ways to make the secret sauce today. And that’s where 3D and other geospatial professionals would benefit from simulation.

The best surveyors are the ones that not only know how to collect the data, but how to integrate it into the workflow. Where do you learn that? The best GIS professionals do not just make maps, they understand that 3D and all kinds of other data come from various sources and serve particular products. But where do you learn that? The best visualization professionals are constantly asking how the technical side they have mastered will integrate with a solution that makes sense and is useful. But where do you learn that?

We are really good at producing technologies and talking about disciplines. But less sophisticated and enlightened about educating and training people with the very data that we have. Why?

Simulation for 3D and visualization is just one example, there are many others that could benefit from setting up design, map, engineering and emergency simulations and tossing people into them – just like flight simulators – and seeing what comes out the other end.

We need a 3D Living and Working Simulator…

Tags: 3d, CAD, education, GIS, simulation, visualization