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: Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand
Link: https://data.linz.govt.nz/layer/121859-new-zealand-lidar-1m-dem/
Type of Data: DEM (Digital Elevation Model)
Resolution: 1 meter
Attributes: Elevation data © Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Data Index: https://data.linz.govt.nz/layer/121943-new-zealand-lidar-1m-dem-survey-index/
Data Download
Visit the Data URL → 1 meter DEM: https://data.linz.govt.nz/layer/121859-new-zealand-lidar-1m-dem/
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Select Area and Download data:
Zoom in on the map and select the area of your interest, using the crop option givenThen select Export, make sure the data format is GeoTIFF, and select Create Export.
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.
You can download your data directly, but you will receive a download link at your email address as well.
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 With the help of Plex-Earth, you can further customize the terrain and 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!
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.