What is "3D GIS," and how does it differ from traditional GIS?

3D GIS stands apart from traditional 2D GIS by incorporating three-dimensional data, allowing for a richer and more accurate representation of real-world features. In this context, 3D GIS enables the visualization of not just the surfaces of landscapes, buildings, and other structures but also their volumes and contours. This capability is essential for applications in urban planning, environmental analysis, and geological studies, where understanding layers, heights, and depths is critical to effective decision-making and analysis.

By focusing on three-dimensional representations, 3D GIS can simulate more complex interactions and relationships that cannot be captured in a two-dimensional space. This includes visualizing overhanging structures, calculating volumes of earthwork, or understanding how different layers of an environment, such as soil, water, and built structures, interact with one another. The ability to manipulate and analyze volumetric data opens up new possibilities for analysis and visualization, making 3D GIS an essential tool in various fields.