3DNWorld Homepage

James Zack
Xtra-Spatial Productions, LLC

James (aka "Zack") is a long-time user of WCS that works to create images for his clients that are indistinguishable from the actual site they depict. He specializes in integrating GIS data and analysis in the WCS environment. He has done a number of "before" and "after" animations and still image collections for land planning and environmental remediation. Zack is an authorized Reseller of 3D Nature products. All images are copyright James Zack unless otherwise specified.
	Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Recently the Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Division of Forestry commissioned Xtra-Spatial Productions, LLC (XSP) of Saratoga Springs, NY to produce a set of “before and after” still renderings to illustrate the degree of visual impact of an upland forest management plan along the Brule River in Northern Wisconsin. Wisconsin DNR provided XSP with ESRI Shapefiles comprising forestry stand data—including DNR forest types and tree species, maximum height, and overstory density—along with a set of predefined ecosystems, including over 200 custom foliage images representing over 30 species of hardwoods, softwoods and shrubs that represent Wisconsin forests.. XSP integrated these data with topography derived from the USGS National Elevation Dataset (NED) to create a Visual Nature Studio (VNS) project. Pre- and post-management photo realistic overviews from multiple view points of the proposed timber sale area were produced to show the effect of the forestry treatment. In addition, pre- and post-management renderings were produced from two locations along the popular canoeing river where protecting the scenic corridor is the primary goal. The renderings demonstrated that there would be no visual alteration to the vistas from those locations. In addition, XSP produced photo realistic renderings from roads adjacent to the stand that was proposed to be harvested. The view for this location shows people “what the stand will look like” after the practice is completed. DNR Forester Dave Schulz says “most people are visual in nature but viewing a 15 acres stand of trees from multiple perspectives is difficult to comprehend by a standard map. The photo realistic renderings allowed me to share a visual representation of a complex timber sale prescription with my stakeholders to demonstrate pre and post harvest conditions” James Zack, XSP, took the project one step further by creating a realtime NatureView scene export with camera locations at the six locations described above along with a virtual “canoe trip” down the Brule River, with the viewer always looking towards the center of the proposed treatment stand. This export facilitated ad hoc maneuvering of a simulated bushwack hike along and around the river’s shore to investigate other possible vantage points showing visual impact of the proposed harvesting. The Nature View product allowed the DNR to sit down with the public and do a virtual walk through the stand to visualize the entire 15 acres. Teague Prichard, WDNR state lands specialist, says the high quality of the visualization “the realism” and a solid understanding of audience and the use of the products made the 3D visualization project a tremendous success. The products have paid big dividends to communicate to our public and partners that forest management activities can be “seen” well before the timber sale occurs. The following figures are included to illustrate the degree of visual impact of the project.

	Round Lake Bypass The proposed Round Lake Bypass is a controversial project in southern Saratoga County in New York state. The bypass would cross the wetlands of Ballston Creek, and force an overpass to the Zim Smith recreation trail as well as an underpass for another trail on the other side of Ballston Creek. No photorealistic visualizations were provided by NYS DOT during public hearings and town meetings; furthermore, the DOT reported that viewshed impact would be minimal. More on the proposed project, including project methodology and a series of "Before and After" Flash animations, can be found at http://spatialexperts.com/RoundLakeBypass/RoundLakeBypassVisualization.html

	First Battle of Lake George I've just completed a 32"x24" poster which commemorates the 250th Anniversary of the First Battle of Lake George in 1755 during the French & Indian War (known to Europeans as the New World Theatre of the Seven Years' War). The poster depicts the "Old Military Road" that was built in May of 1755 under the orders of General William Johnson. The "road" was actually a ten-meter-wide trail that enabled the Provincial and Regular forces to carry their boats and supplies the sixteen miles from the Hudson Falls to the head of Lake George. From there, the British forces and their Mohawk allies could float down the lake to Ticonderoga narrows and from there to Lake Champlain. This chain of rivers, forts, roads, and lakes made travel through the wilderness much less costly in terms of time and vulnerability to ambush by the French and their Abenaki and Canaughwaga allies from the St. Lawrence Valley in New France (now Quebec province of Canada). During the period 1755-1759, the British secured the road by building a series of forts and stockades within which troops could escape marauders and wait out the long winters without suffering the attrition that drilled troops succumbed to when wintering in the wilderness of the Southern Adirondack region. This poster shows the sites of the forts and encompasses an area that includes the Bloody Morning Scout ambush site (1755), the Battle of Lake George (1755), the massacre at Bloody Pond (1755), Roger's Island (home of Robert Rogers famous Rangers), and the Battle and subsequent massacre at Fort William Henry (1757). Once superior numbers were achieved by the British in 1759, the road was in almost continuous service, affording swift passage for troops and supplies between Fort Edward and Lake George.

	Proposed Golf Course Design visualizations of proposed course. Project created in collaboration with Nicklaus Design, LLC

	Scaroon Manor, Adirondacks, New York This image shows the current configuration of land formerly occupied by the Scaroon Manor resort on Schroon Lake, in the Adirondacks of New York. The view is from across the lake at the landing in Adirondack. From here, the steamship Evelyn would take passengers across the lake to Taylor's-on-Schroon (as it was known prior to the 1920s). The clearing across the lake was the site of a nine-hole golf course. A series of images that reconstruct the bygone heydays of this Adirondack resort is forthcoming.

	Condo Complex Copyright 2002, James A. Zack, Xtra-Spatial Productions, LLC in cooperation with Scott Ekster, VR Marketing, Inc.

	Bushwood Country Club--8:30am The 10th hole with a heavy ground fog. The fog layer is confined to the valley floor and tapers off about 25 meters up.

	Bushwood Country Club--3:20pm The fog has lifted and golfers are ready to play.

	Bushwood Estates--3:20pm A different camera angle showing the new housing development along the 10th hole. Note golfers in the background waiting to tee off.

	Eldorado Wind Tower This image shows Rattlesnake Gulch and the Wind Tower in Eldorado Canyon. It shows the new "Fractured Sandstone" ecosystem that James created for this project. It also highlights the Rattlesnake Gulch trail that is shown by the red vector.

	Moraine Park Zack used National Park Service GeoData to recreate a typical fall vista from the Moraine Park Museum in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. This image will be used in a visitors survey on the Park's landscape aesthetics under various global climate change scenarios.

	Vail, Colorado Zack used the Texture Engine to apply moguls to the terrain to simulate this ski area.