Introduction
I will walk through Central’s 3D Viewer, a project that pushed the boundaries of real-time 3D geological visualisation in the cloud. Unlike our flagship desktop product Leapfrog 3D, which provided robust local rendering and model building, this initiative focused on bringing 3D geological models into a cloud-first environment. This allowed for real-time collaboration, accessibility, and improved decision-making across distributed teams.
1. Setting the Stage: The Problem
The challenge was twofold:
1. Legacy geological modelling workflows were slow and disconnected. Leapfrog 3D required local processing, meaning teams often relied on large file transfers and disconnected workflows.
2. Stakeholder engagement was limited. Decision-makers and non-technical users had difficulty accessing or interpreting 3D models, leading to inefficiencies in approvals and decision-making.
The solution needed to:
- Bring real-time 3D geological models into a cloud-based environment, eliminating reliance on local processing.
- Allow for seamless multi-user collaboration with ‘near real-time’ access to the latest models.
- Handle large-scale subsurface geological data in-browser while maintaining usability.
2. Approach: My Role & Design Process
As the lead UX designer, I was responsible for translating the complexity of 3D geological data into an intuitive, accessible, and interactive cloud-based experience.
Research & Discovery
- Conducted user interviews with geologists, engineers, and executives to map out pain points in their workflow.
- Identified key friction points around data accessibility, rendering performance, and usability in a cloud-first environment.
Ideation & Prototyping
- Collaborated with engineering and product teams to define a web-based 3D viewer that preserved critical analytical capabilities while simplifying interactions.
- Created interactive prototypes in Figma and WebGL-based simulations to validate different interaction models optimised for cloud streaming of geological models.
User Testing & Iteration
Conducted usability tests with geologists and external stakeholders, iterating on:
- Navigation and interaction mechanics for exploring 3D subsurface models directly in a browser.
- Multi-user collaboration features, including annotations, real-time commenting, and shared views.
- Performance optimisations to ensure smooth cloud-based rendering with minimal latency.
3. Design Choices & Key Decisions
Cloud-Based 3D Rendering: Overcoming Technical Hurdles
Unlike Leapfrog 3D, which relied on local GPU acceleration, Central’s 3D Viewer required real-time cloud rendering. To achieve this, we:
Implemented Level of Detail (LOD) optimisations, which dynamically adjusted the complexity of the 3D model based on zoom level and user interaction. This allowed for high-resolution detail when viewing close-up geological features, while simplifying models when zoomed out to maintain performance.
Used progressive data streaming so users could interact immediately, even with large geological datasets.
Developed intelligent caching mechanisms to reduce server load and improve responsiveness.
Interaction Model: Simplifying 3D Navigation in a Browser
One of the biggest UX challenges was ensuring that geologists and decision-makers could navigate 3D space without traditional CAD-style complexity. The design incorporated:
Smart camera controls optimised for web-based navigation, ensuring users could explore complex 3D geological models intuitively. This included:
Smooth orbit, pan, and zoom interactions that adapt to the context of the geological dataset, allowing users to navigate easily with a mouse, touchpad, or touchscreen.
Automatic focus and alignment controls that adjust the camera perspective to highlight relevant geological features dynamically.
Gesture-based and click-to-focus controls that simplify movement around complex 3D structures without requiring precise manual adjustments.
Context-aware navigation aids, such as minimaps and reference grids, that help users maintain spatial awareness within large models.
One-click annotations and sharing to drive real-time collaboration.
Real-Time Collaboration: Enabling Distributed Teams
Designed real-time markup and multi-user views, allowing teams to view and discuss geological formations in real time—a significant improvement from static screenshots and reports.
4. Customer Feedback & Business Impact
Customer Adoption & Industry Impact
Following the launch, Central’s 3D Viewer became a critical tool for Seequent’s customers, leading to:
30% faster decision-making due to real-time collaboration – Based on user feedback, 3 out of 10 teams reported that decisions regarding site exploration and investment strategies were accelerated due to instant access to updated 3D models and annotations.
50% reduction in dependency on desktop software, enabling remote teams to work efficiently – Internal usage analytics showed that half of the surveyed customers reduced their reliance on Leapfrog 3D for basic model reviews, instead using Central for real-time analysis and collaboration.
Global adoption across major mining, civil, and energy sectors – Seequent Central was successfully rolled out to enterprise clients worldwide, with key industries leveraging it for enhanced geoscience workflows.
What Customers Said
Stakeholders across industries described Central’s 3D Viewer as a game-changer for collaborative geoscience workflows. One mining company noted that it transformed how they made multi-million-dollar investment decisions by allowing non-technical executives to engage with geological data meaningfully.
Cameco Corporation, a global leader in uranium production, implemented Central to streamline their geological modelling processes.
“Before Central, multiple versions of models could be scattered across network folders and on different computers. With no efficient way to identify and share the most up-to-date version, users could be working on outdated models.”
Sarah Wang, Exploration Information Manager at Cameco
By adopting Central, teams experienced enhanced collaboration, improved workflow efficiency, and more informed decision-making. Cameco’s proactive approach to integrating Central into their operations has not only benefited their internal processes but also contributed to advancements that support the broader industry.
5. Key Takeaways & Lessons Learned
- Bringing 3D to the cloud is possible, but UX is the key to making it usable.
- Multi-user collaboration drives better decision-making in geological workflows.
- Cloud-based rendering optimisations were essential to overcoming technical barriers.
Closing & Discussion
Central’s 3D Viewer was more than just a technical achievement—it represented a fundamental shift in how geoscientists interact with their data, collaborate, and make critical decisions without relying on local installations. This project reinforced my passion for solving complex UX problems in high-stakes industries.