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Thread: Converting topographic contour lines into elevation and/or 3d ?

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  1. #1
    Guild Master Chashio's Avatar
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    Question Converting topographic contour lines into elevation and/or 3d ?

    Is there a lightweight program (laptop w/2gb ram) - free, or very cheap - that a visually-inclined / math-blind artist like myself can use for this? I'm working on a regional/city map, non-digital at the moment. But I really need a computer to help me out. My brain is twisting into impossible configurations and it's sorta painful. =\ And I haven't gotten to the city part yet. Never done that either. =P
    Kaitlin Gray - Art, Maps, Etc | Patreon | Instagram

  2. #2
    Administrator waldronate's Avatar
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    For converting topographic maps into DEMs, the BLACKART program worked fairly well (see http://www.terrainmap.com/rm33.html for information).

  3. #3
    Guild Master Chashio's Avatar
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    Thank you!
    Kaitlin Gray - Art, Maps, Etc | Patreon | Instagram

  4. #4

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    You can do this in Sketchup. It turns your topographical contours into 3D. You can export the result as an image. Or, you can export the shadow to use as an overlay on your map.

  5. #5
    Guild Master Chashio's Avatar
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    Thanks Bhoritz! I just downloaded sketchup and the artisan plugin trial. We'll see how well it works on my little laptop. =)
    Kaitlin Gray - Art, Maps, Etc | Patreon | Instagram

  6. #6
    Guild Master Chashio's Avatar
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    Hmm. Looks like you need SketchUp Pro with the sandbox tools, unless I'm missing something. The artisan plugin, well, some of it, is beyond my computer's abilities. Brain freeze. Oh well. I shall continue saving up for a new magic box.
    Kaitlin Gray - Art, Maps, Etc | Patreon | Instagram

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