Exercise 2: Add a surface to view elevation data

Exercise 1: Prepare your map file

Lesson 1: Analyzing Data Visually, Using Surfaces

Exercise 3: Add a layer on top of the surface

 

AutoCAD Map 3D Tutorials > Tutorial: Analyzing Data Using Styles, Joins, and Buffers > Lesson 1: Analyzing Data Visually, Using Surfaces  > 

Exercise 2: Add a surface to view elevation data

A surface is a raster file that contains elevation information. Use theming to make the surface reflect its elevation.

To add a surface to the map

1. Switch the Task Pane to the Display Manager.
2. In the Display Manager, click Data Connect To Data.
3. In the Data Connect dialog box, under Data Connections By Provider, click Add Raster Image Or Surface Connection and click next to Source File Or Folder.
4. In the Open dialog box, browse to the ENTERPRISE.dem file, select it, and click Open.

   This file should be in the location where you copied the sample data.

   

   Connect to the surface file in the Data Connect dialog box.

5. In the Data Connect dialog box, click Connect.
   NoteThe coordinate system for the DEM file is UTM27-10. AutoCAD Map 3D automatically converts the data from that coordinate system to the one specified for your map.
6. Select the box for the DEM under Add Data To Map and click Add To Map.
7. Close the Data Connect dialog box to see the surface in your map.

To style the surface

1. In Display Manager, select the ENTERPRISE layer, which contains the surface.
2. Click .
3. Create a palette for the theme.
   • In the Style Editor, under Raster Style For 0 - Infinity Scale Range, click the down arrow in the Style entry and select Theme (even if it is already selected).

     

     Click the first Style entry and select Theme.

   • In the Theme dialog box, under Specify A Theme, click Palette and select USGS National Map Palette.

     

     Select the USGS National Map palette as the theme for the surface.

   • Click OK and then click Apply. Close the Style Editor.
4. Add exaggeration to show the differences in elevation more dramatically.
   • In the status bar below your map, click the down arrow next to Vertical Exaggeration.
   • Select 25x from the list.

     

     Set the Vertical Exaggeration to 25x.

5. Add contour lines to create a topographic map.

   Each contour line connects points of equal elevation on the surface. The lines identify the elevation at a specific location on the surface, which can help the viewer clarify and analyze the 3D surface terrain.

   • In Display Manager, right-click the surface layer and click Create Contour Layer.

     

     In Display Manager, right-click the surface layer to create contours.

   • In the Generate Contour dialog box, in the Contour Elevation Interval list, select 20.
   • Leave the Units set to Meters.
   • In the Major Contour Every list, select 4. This makes every fourth contour line bold.
   • Select Label The Elevation. This labels the major (bold) contour lines only.
   • For Create Contour As, select polyline.

     

     The Generate Contour dialog box should look like this.

   • Click OK.

To continue this tutorial, go to Exercise 3: Add a layer on top of the surface.