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

  1. 06-18-2012, 01:11 AM #1
    Chashio
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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
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  2. 06-18-2012, 04:11 AM #2
    waldronate
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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).
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  3. 06-18-2012, 01:18 PM #3
    Chashio
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    Thank you!
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  4. 06-18-2012, 04:19 PM #4
    Bhoritz
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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.
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  5. 06-18-2012, 08:06 PM #5
    Chashio
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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. =)
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  6. 06-19-2012, 11:41 AM #6
    Chashio
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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.
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