Digital terrain model vs. contours
![digital terrain model vs. contours digital terrain model vs. contours](https://images.ctfassets.net/qfhr9fiom9gi/6mCRmo5qPrD2BTludhVXtV/e4bd79544f99fdc27a547660e42cd4bc/image19.png)
Terrain datasets and the data used to define them are stored and maintained in a feature dataset in a geodatabase.
![digital terrain model vs. contours digital terrain model vs. contours](https://dsy5mvbgl2i1x.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/contour1.png)
The terrain dataset supports point, multipoint, polyline, and polygon-based features and is seamless, fast, and scalable.īecause source measurements are stored, not a derivative surface, they can be edited and replaced with more current or accurate data at anytime. This is achieved through the use of an updated and efficient TIN-based data structure that generates a multiresolution surface that is created on the fly for a given area of interest and level of detail. These surface storage and representation methods are not well suited to large collections of mass point data from sources such as lidar, photogrammetric, and multibeam sonar data.Īn ArcGIS terrain dataset offers a database-oriented solution for managing these vector-based source measurements. Traditionally, ArcGIS uses feature data, like 3D points, lines, and contours, to make TINs and grids. Terrain datasets scale to handle vector-based source measurement data such as lidar, photogrammetric, and sonar data. Support for 3D ASCII source data formats.Extensive collection of geoprocessing tools.Support of industry-standard LAS format.Improved efficiency with point clustering.Vector-based pyramids for rapid display.Simple workflow for creating a terrain dataset.While there are many reasons for using terrain datasets to manage surface data, here are 10 of the most compelling ones: Using the TIN, any surface value can be interpolated within a face or along an edge.Īdditional rules are defined to generate TIN pyramids representing elevation change.
![digital terrain model vs. contours digital terrain model vs. contours](https://img.yumpu.com/27987466/1/500x640/digital-elevation-models-dem-pdf-397kb.jpg)
The nodes of each triangle have an x,y coordinate and a z-value representing the elevation or surface value at that location.
#DIGITAL TERRAIN MODEL VS. CONTOURS SERIES#
TINs are assembled from a series of data points with x-, y-, and z-values and partition geographic space into contiguous, nonoverlapping triangles (called faces). This multiresolution, triangulated irregular network (TIN)-based surface is generated using measurements stored as features in geodatabase feature classes. With ArcGIS 9.2, Esri introduced the terrain dataset to better handle surface data. It generally includes a series of points representing the high and low extremes in the terrain that define topographic features such as streams, levees, ridges, and other phenomena. Terrain data is usually expressed as a series or collection of points with x-, y-, and associated z-values. Terrain datasets, which live inside geodatabases, offer many advantages for managing surface data.