Create your own 3D Topo Maps and Aerial Views

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Although I am still working on this, I wanted to add this page. You can create your own

3D Topo maps for free. Everything you need is available on the internet.

A 3D topo map can help you visualize the terrain you will be up against in the search for a possible treasure site. It can help you narrow down the search as you fly over the

the terrain and realize that the hills are to steep in the area you thought the site was located. Locate hidden valleys and stretches of flat land along the river.

Follow the route of the Union army to and then the retreat from the battle site you are investigating. I think it is easier to view anything in three dimensions, and maps are no exception.

1:24000 USGS DEM DEM file with 1:24000 GEOTIFF overlay Vandergrift PA Vandergrift PA

Note: The above images are compressed to improved download times

Creating a 3D Topo map using the USGS DLGviewer

1) Download and Install the USGS DLGviewer

2) Download the DEM file you want. Shown is Vandergrift PA Get it here

A DEM (Digital Elevation model) file is a collection of elevation points for an area.

3) Download the DRG (GEOTIFF) file you want. Shown is Vandergrift PA Get it here

A DRG is a scanned image of a USGS topographical quadrangle in TIFF 6.0 format

with GEOTIFF extensions

Sources for DRG's http://mcmcweb.er.usgs.gov/drg/free_drg.html

4) Open the DEM File with the DLGviewer first. "File" "Open as New" menu

Select the DEM file you want.

5) Open the DRG (GEOTIFF) next. "File" "Open into Current" menu

Select the GEOTIFF (DRG) file. filename.tif

6) Select the "Tools" menu and then "Control Center"

Click on the Tif image you just loaded and select the "Options" button. Check the

"Texture Map" and then click the "Apply" button. Click "OK"

Click on the DEM file you loaded in the dialog box and select the "Options" button.

Click the "Vertical Options" tab and play with the settings.

The DLGviewer is limited in that you cannot save your map to a file. I have also had

problems printing, as the Print Preview feature does not always work. I created the

images shown above by using the Print Screen key and pasting in Paint Shop Pro and saving the image as a .jpg file.

Using 3DEM to create 3D Topo and Aerial Views

Below are examples of a aerial and a 1:24,000 scale topo map overlayed on a DEM file that were created with 3DEM to create a 3D view. Doing this can help you visualize the terrain better than a flat 2D map or aerial photo. The 2 images are just a small part of the overall map. Once again the images have been compressed for quicker download.

The same view direction was used for both.

OTHER SAMPLE 3D TOPO

This image of Gettysburg Pennsylvania was created with a 1:24,000 scale DEM overlayed with the Gettysburg Aerial photo and then overlayed with the Gettysburg 1:24,000 scale topo map file. The topo .TIF file layer was made slightly transparent to allow the aerial photo to show thru. The black and white areas are from the aerial photo. Doing this allows you to view topo map contours and text details on a black and white aerial photo. This is just a small area of the overall map. Note: make sure your datums match. (NAD27, WGS84 etc) on the aerial photo and the topo map image. This image has been compressed to allow faster downloads. The orginal file was much better.

Sources for DEM Files:

http://edcwww.cr.usgs.gov/doc/edchome/ndcdb/ndcdb.html

http://edcwww.cr.usgs.gov/glis/hyper/guide/1_dgr_demfig/index1m.html

I have for sale Pennsylvania Topo maps on CDROM.

I am investigating Microdem software. Here are some images so far:

The image on the left is a still from a fly thru. The image on the right shows the position.

on the topo map.

This is a oblique map created with the 1:24000 DEM file overlayed with the 1:24000 Tiff

How to Digitize Topographic Maps using Microdem

I am also looking into using OziExplorer with Topo maps and my GPS. Stay tuned.

Comments All contents Copyright © 2000 Randy Steele My web site