You can use the Plex-Earth features to create terrain models from free, quality data you can find online.
Use Data for Terrain Model creation
About the Data
Data Provider: Danish Climate Data Agency
Link: https://dataforsyningen.dk/data/930
Type of Data: DHM/Point Cloud that only points classified as located on terrain are included. Points classified as buildings, vegetation, and other objects are removed from the model.
Grid Size: 0.4 meters
Accuracy: 0.15 meters horizontal and 0.06 meters vertical
Terms of Use: Vilkår (CC BY 4.0)
Data Information: https://dataforsyningen.dk/data/930#description
https://www.klimadatastyrelsen.dk/groen-omstilling-og-klimasikring/klimasikring/danmarks-hoejdemodel
ℹ️ Translation Notice: The source material for this workflow is in Danish. A machine translation was used for the English version, and minor terminology differences may occur.
Data Download
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Visit the Data URL → https://dataforsyningen.dk/data/930
- On the Download part of the screen, find the GeoTIFF terrain data. Note that these data are offered at 10 km blocks.
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Click on the Select Area button of Step 3 and select the tile including your area by navigating on the map provided.
After selecting the tile on the screen, click Order.
Download the selected data as a zip.
ℹ️ NOTE: You will need to have an account to create the export. If you already have an account, sign in; if not, you will need to create one.
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-Earth, customize the terrain further and 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 it from the file. The coordinate system applied can be changed using the Change Coordinate System button, if needed.
Here is the result!
ℹ️ NOTE: Each file includes multiple TIFFs; you will need to locate the proper one for your area of interest.
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.