Build 2.5D and 3D immersive map experiences in a browser - Paweł Krzywicki - NDC Oslo 2026

Build 2.5D and 3D immersive map experiences in a browser - Paweł Krzywicki - NDC Oslo 2026

Title history
  • Build 2.5D and 3D immersive map experiences in a browser - Paweł Krzywicki - NDC Oslo 2026 — observed on 20261028-1050 UTC (YouTube)

by Paweł Krzywicki · View the channel on PSI

Applied Sciences & Engineering Computing & Cybersecurity UMComputer programmingUMWWeb programming
🎙 Paweł Krzywicki 👥 230K 📅 October 28, 2026 ⏱ 33 min 👁 4 📄 tutorial 🧭 2026-10-28
Available in: English (current) Français

Keywords

map3DtilesCesiumGPX

Summary

Paweł Krzywicki, a security engineer at G Research, presents his experiments with web-based mapping. He demonstrates how to create immersive 2D and 3D map experiences using browser technologies. Starting with 2D maps, he explains the tile-based system that allows smooth zooming and loading of only necessary data. He shows how to use libraries like Leaflet to quickly create maps and load GPX files for trajectory data. He then introduces the concept of 2.5D maps, which add elevation to latitude/longitude, using TIF files and triangular irregular networks (TIN) to create 3D meshes. With CesiumJS, he adds terrain providers and building overlays, and even integrates Google Photorealistic 3D tiles for urban areas. He discusses challenges such as camera control, anti-meridian issues, and the asynchronous loading of tiles causing misalignment. He also mentions the limitations of polar regions and his attempts to overcome them with AI assistance. The talk concludes with a live demo where viewers can load their own GPX files on his site.

162 words

Critical Evaluation

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The talk provides valuable practical insights into combining various mapping libraries and techniques. The speaker’s hands-on examples and live demos make the content actionable. He clearly explains the trade-offs between different approaches, such as the simplicity of Leaflet versus the advanced features of Cesium. He addresses real-world issues like data synchronization and browser compatibility. The argumentation is based on personal experience, which is credible for a practitioner talk, though it lacks formal comparisons or benchmarks.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The talk does not cite academic sources, but it references well-known open-source libraries and data formats. The speaker mentions using open data from AWS and reference elevation models, but does not provide specific URLs. The title accurately reflects the content: building 2.5D and 3D immersive map experiences in a browser. The talk is well-structured and follows a logical progression from 2D to 3D, ending with practical challenges. The description includes links to NDC conferences, which are relevant for the context. No comments were provided for analysis.

176 words

Title / Content Match

The title precisely describes the content; the talk covers both 2.5D and 3D map experiences with practical examples.

Quality & Reliability

7/10

The talk is technically informative and based on the speaker's direct experience. However, it is a conference talk without peer review, and some claims (like the Google API cut for EEA) are unverified. The practical demos are compelling, but the lack of citations and the low view count suggest limited external validation.

Key Moments

Markers derived by PSI from the transcript: the creator did not define chapters.

Cited Sources

Contribution & Novelties

The talk contributes practical examples of combining mapping libraries and techniques to create immersive browser-based experiences. It showcases how to leverage tile-based systems, GPX data, and 2.5D elevation with CesiumJS, including integration with Google Photorealistic 3D tiles. The speaker highlights common pitfalls such as coordinate system discontinuities and asynchronous tile loading issues, offering useful troubleshooting advice. The discussion of using AI tools to overcome development challenges adds a contemporary perspective.

Pour aller plus loin :

  • CesiumJS — A library for 3D globes and maps, used in the talk.
  • Leaflet — A lightweight open-source library for 2D maps.
  • GPX format — The standard XML format for GPS data, compatible with many mapping libraries.
  • Triangulated irregular network (TIN) — Concept used to create 3D meshes from elevation data.

126 words

Radar Profile

The radar profile shows strong scores in technical level and information quantity, with slightly lower but still solid scores in quality and reliability, reflecting the practical but non-peer-reviewed nature of the talk.

Reliability 7/10