You can use the Plex-Earth features to create terrain models from free, quality data you can find online.
About the Data
Data Provider: Geospatial Data from the Canadian Government
Link: https://maps.canada.ca/czs/index-en.html
Data Type: High Resolution Digital Elevation Model Mosaic (HRDEM)
Resolution: 1-2 meters
Terms of Use: Elevation data from the Government of Canada, used under the Open Government Licence – Canada (OGL-CA)
Data Download
Visit the following URL: https://maps.canada.ca/czs/index-en.html
Check Data availability: HRDEM data are not available all over Canada, so check if your area of interest is covered. Expand Overlay reference layers and check High Resolution Elevation Model Mosaic - Terrain (or Surface) so the coverage appears on the map. If your area is covered, you can proceed.
For areas not covered with the high-resolution models, you can select the CDEM or CSEM (Canadian Digital Elevation/Surface Model) option, which might have lower resolutions, and select Elevation for the next step. Here you can find a very detailed data extraction guide.Select Area and Download Options
a. Select HRDEM Mosaic
b. Select Clipping Area. Maximum allowed area (km²): 500
c. Adjust options and order data: Put the final options to proceed with the data order. Make sure that the Elevation Product Type is the preferred one (here HRDEM - Terrain), and the output format is GeoTIFF. Put a correct email address at the end and receive your data.
The link sent is valid for 5 days.
Use Data for Terrain Model creation
After downloading the data, you can now proceed with creating a terrain model in CAD.
In AutoCAD or BricsCAD, go to the Plex-Earth ribbon → click on the Create Terrain dropdown box → Terrain from GeoTIFF → load the GeoTIFF downloaded.
In the Import GeoTIFF palette, specify the area by clicking on the Select Area button, then use your mouse cursor to draw a rectangle, and select the desired resolution using the slider.
Click on the Import Terrain button
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Select the Surface Type from the options available:
Contour Polylines
Points
TIN Mesh
Civil 3D Surface
Create Terrain Model
For the first four options, CAD objects are directly imported, ready to be used in CAD or other software.
The last option creates a Plex-Earth terrain model, which can be saved in your DWG, and with the help of Plex-you can Earth, you can customize the terrain further and can also insert the data as CAD objects later on.
Check out the full guide here: Create Terrain from GeoTIFF
ℹ️ NOTE: For this tutorial process, it is not mandatory to apply a coordinate system before working with the GeoTIFF, as Plex-Earth will automatically detect the proper X, Y coordinates to place the terrain model.
Here is the result!
Do you know any source of terrain data that you are interested in using?
Click Here and send us the following details:
Link to the Data provider, Data provider, or any other info you might find relevant.