Getting Started with Spatial Aspect Viewer — Quick GuideSpatial Aspect Viewer (SAV) is a tool designed to help users visualize, analyze, and interact with spatial and 3D data in an intuitive way. Whether you’re working with GIS layers, point clouds, volumetric data, or architectural models, this quick guide walks you through installing, configuring, and using SAV effectively. It also covers common workflows, tips for performance, and troubleshooting.
What SAV does and why it matters
Spatial Aspect Viewer provides interactive visualization of spatial datasets, letting you explore geometry, attributes, and context in a single interface. It bridges the gap between raw spatial data and actionable insight by combining rendering, measurement, filtering, and annotation tools. SAV is useful for urban planners, architects, surveyors, geospatial analysts, and researchers who need to examine spatial relationships and make decisions based on visual evidence.
System requirements and installation
Minimum recommended system:
- OS: Windows ⁄11, macOS 11+, or a recent Linux distribution
- CPU: Quad-core modern CPU
- RAM: 8 GB (16 GB recommended for large datasets)
- GPU: Dedicated GPU with 2GB VRAM (4 GB+ recommended)
- Disk: 2 GB free for app, additional for datasets
Installation steps:
- Download the SAV installer or package for your OS from the official distribution channel.
- Run the installer and follow prompts (macOS: drag to Applications; Linux: extract and run the binary or use package manager if available).
- Launch SAV and complete initial setup (choose default workspace, enable GPU acceleration if prompted).
Interface overview
The SAV interface typically includes:
- A central 3D viewport for rendering models and data.
- Layer panel to manage datasets, visibility, and order.
- Properties/Inspector panel to view and edit metadata, styling, and rendering parameters.
- Tools toolbar for navigation, selection, measurement, annotation, and snapping.
- Timeline or history (if versioning or animation is supported).
Basic navigation controls:
- Rotate: click-and-drag or orbit controls (right mouse button / two-finger drag).
- Pan: middle mouse button or shift + drag.
- Zoom: mouse wheel or pinch gesture.
- Reset view: home button or double-click origin.
Loading and organizing data
Supported formats (common examples):
- Vector: GeoJSON, Shapefile (SHP), KML
- Raster: GeoTIFF, PNG, JPEG
- 3D models: OBJ, STL, glTF/GLB, IFC (where supported)
- Point clouds: LAS / LAZ, PLY
- Other spatial formats: PostGIS, MBTiles, Cesium 3D Tiles
How to add data:
- Use File > Open or drag-and-drop files into the viewport.
- For web services, add WMS/WMTS/XYZ or WFS endpoints via the Data > Add Service dialog.
- When importing large datasets, consider tiling/decimating or using streamed formats (3D Tiles) to improve responsiveness.
Organizing layers:
- Group related layers into folders (e.g., “Base imagery”, “Survey”, “BIM”)—this keeps the scene manageable.
- Lock or hide layers during editing to prevent accidental changes.
- Use naming conventions and tags for quick searching.
Styling and symbology
SAV lets you control how data appears:
- Apply color ramps to represent attribute values (elevation, density, category).
- Use graduated symbols, heatmaps, or interpolated surfaces for continuous data.
- For point clouds, set coloring by intensity, classification, height, or custom attributes.
- Set transparency, line weights, and label placement to reduce clutter.
Example styling workflow:
- Select a layer and open its Style/Appearance panel.
- Choose the attribute to drive color/sizing.
- Pick a palette and adjust min/max or quantile breaks.
- Enable labels for key attributes and configure size, font, and priority.
Measurements, analysis, and tools
Common tools:
- Distance and area measurement (2D and 3D).
- Cross-section and profile extraction for point clouds or terrain.
- Volume calculation for meshes or bounded surfaces.
- Spatial queries: select by attribute, by geometry, or by proximity.
- Basic analytics: slope/aspect maps, elevation histograms, density analysis.
Example: compute a cut-and-fill volume
- Create or select a terrain surface and the proposed design surface.
- Use the Volume tool to specify the two surfaces.
- SAV computes cut/fill volumes and shows a color-coded result.
Annotation and collaboration
Annotate scenes with:
- Markers and text labels.
- Polylines and polygons for notes or boundaries.
- Snapshots and camera bookmarks to capture views.
Collaboration features (varies by build):
- Export annotated scenes or share view links (if SAV supports server-side hosting).
- Export project packages (including data and styles) for team members.
- Export images, animated flythroughs, or 3D model subsets for presentations.
Performance tips
- Use streaming/tiling formats for large datasets (3D Tiles, MBTiles, LAZ).
- Reduce point cloud density for interactive review; keep full-resolution for final processing.
- Turn off shadows, complex lighting, or high-res textures when diagnosing slowdowns.
- Use GPU acceleration and update drivers.
- Organize layers and hide those not needed for the current task.
Exporting and sharing results
Common export formats:
- Images: PNG, JPEG (for reports and slides).
- 3D: glTF/GLB, OBJ, STL (for downstream modeling or 3D printing).
- GIS: GeoJSON, Shapefile, GeoTIFF (for spatial workflows).
- Point clouds: LAS/LAZ or PLY.
Export steps:
- Choose Export or Share from the File menu.
- Select the output format and desired options (coordinate reference system, resolution, compression).
- Save locally or upload to a configured cloud/service if supported.
Troubleshooting — common issues
- Blank viewport: check layer visibility, camera position (reset view), and GPU drivers.
- Slow rendering: reduce dataset size, disable fancy effects, or use decimated data.
- Coordinate mismatch: confirm CRS for each layer; reproject on import if needed.
- Missing textures on models: verify accompanying texture files are in the same folder and referenced correctly.
Further learning and resources
- Built-in help and tutorials inside the app.
- Sample datasets and starter projects to practice workflows.
- Community forums or knowledge base for tips, plugins, and extensions.
Spatial Aspect Viewer is a flexible tool that scales from quick visual inspection to deeper spatial analysis. Start with small datasets, learn the core navigation and styling tools, then progressively incorporate larger, streamed formats and analysis features as your familiarity grows.
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