DEM (Digital Grid-Point Elevation Models) Synthesis from Three-Dimensional Cartographic Data,
Abstract
Currently, topographic products such as contour, slope, and aspect are commonly derived from computer processing of digital grid-point elevation models (DEM). DEM's can be laboriously created by a user from an analytical plotter equipped with profiling capability. Alternatively, a user can acquire a DEM produced by an external source, but then be constrained by the production resolution or accuracy which might not be suitable for the user's application. Recently, the integration of stereoplotters with geographic information systems has resulted in limited terrain data production in X, Y, Z coordinates (3-dimensional digital cartographic data). In those cases where detailed 3-dimensional data exists, building a DEM from this database can save labor and preserve user-defined resolution and accuracy criteria. In this study, previously digitized 3-dimensional terrain data are combined and converted to a 3 arc second (user-defined) cell matrix. Multiple elevation data points falling into the same cell were averaged to provide a single elevation value and those cells without an elevational value were flagged. The existing elevation data could then be displayed via stereo superposition over a photographic model established on an analytical plotter and those flagged cells could be profiled. This paper presents the method involved in building a DEM from 3-dimensional cartographic data and weighs the benefits and shortfalls of this method.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1984
- Accession Number
- ADA140211
Entities
People
- Dujon Edwards
- R. Carroll
Organizations
- Geospatial Research Laboratory