USING MULTI-MEDIA TOOLS TO SUPPORT COMPLEX DESIGNS

Large scale collection systems designs pose a significant amount of internal and external stakeholder coordination. The world has become more inclined to use visual means to communicate ideas with the proliferation of automated graphical interfacing. Complex design and operational concepts are better explained by employing reasonably efficient graphical software to demonstrate the end results. Employing 3-dimensional figures and computer animation have been very successful with the OCDC and NEORSD in coordinating project issues with the appropriate stakeholders.The primary goals and objectives of using multi-media software to support design activities are to; provide a visual reference to complex issues, demonstrate the extent of construction activities, illustrate the extent of the capital investment, support critical coordination issues with public officials and stakeholders, provide a clear picture of what the system will look like, and show operators how systems will work.Preliminary design drawings can be supplemented using multi-media software to provide three-dimensional and/or animated graphical representations. This is accomplished by using three-dimensional design software that establishes the configurations of the system components, and the additional use of advanced graphics software. The following paragraphs and Figure 1 below show the four step process for utilizing these tools:Use three-dimensional survey data from an established survey data acquisition software (e.g., In-roads) that collects information with an x, y, z spatial frameworkImport the three-dimensional survey data into a three-dimensional design software (e.g., Microstation, AUTOCAD, etc.)Draft the project components using the aforementioned 3-D design software, thus building a model of the facilities tied to a three-dimensional survey of the area.Extract the design drawings from the steps above and import into an advanced graphics program capable of high resolution photo-graphics and threedimensional animations.Upon completion of the process identified above, the project can be portrayed in still motion and animation from multiple angles and vantage points. These graphical support tools will meet the objectives of stakeholder coordination by answering most questions relative to how the system will look, work, and operate.