Abstract
The purpose of this research is to develop a CAD-based program for data analysis of digital elevation model(DEM) on the aspect of landscape assessment. When handling DEM data as a visual simulation of topographic landscape, it is basic interest to analyze visible area and visualize visual sensitivity distributions. In reference with landscape assessment, more intuitive and interactive visualizing tools are needed, specially in area of visual approach. For adaptability to landscape assessment, algorithmic approaches to visibility analysis and concepts for visual sensitivity calculation in this study were based on processing techniques of entity data control functions used in AutoCAD drawing database. Also, for the purpose of quantitative analysis, grid-type 3DFACE entities were adopted as mesh unit of DEM structure. Developed programs are composed of main part named VSI written in AutoLISP and two of interface modules written in dialog control language(DCL0 for user-oriented interactive usage. Definitions of camera points(view points) and target points(or observed area) are available alternatively in combined methods of representing scenic landscape, scenery, and sequential landscape. In the case of scene landscape(single camera to fixed target point), only visibility analysis in available. And total visibility, frequency of cumulative visibility, and visual sensitivity analysis are available in other cases. Visual sensitivity was thought as view angle(3 dimensional observed visual area) and the strengths were classified in user defined level referring to statistical characteristics of distribution. Visibility analysis routine of the VSI was proved to be more effective in the accuracy and time comparing with similar modules of existing AutoCAD third utility.