DEM

A DEM (Digital Elevation Model) contains points with elevation data. DEM Data are based on LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology measurement, also known as Airborne Laser Scanning. There are DEM with point data arranged in a regular grid with a constant distance between the points. This distance is called cell size. Other DEM contain data points arranged irregularly (cloud-model).

Read more about this topic: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_elevation_model

Import

The OCAD DEM Module is able to import files with regular and irregular DEM data. Supported DEM dataformats are: ESRI ASCII Grid and xyz file. Binary files are not supported.

1. Open a new map in the File menu and select scale and symbols for your basemap.
2. Select the DEM menu and Import a Raw data ASCII XYZ file, an ASCII Grid XYZ file (*.xyz), a SRTM file (*.hgt), a LAS file (*.las) or an ESRI ASCII Grid file (*.asc) to OCAD. First use Add button to add a DEM to the DEM Import dialog.
3. Select Analyze the DEM to get some information about the DEM like extent, cell size etc.
4. If the source file is a regular grid (Data type of import files = Grid), the Cell size box is set to read only. OCAD sets the same cell size for the imported DEM. For irregular source DEM data (Data type of import files = Raw) the cell size can be set in the 'cell size' box. For these DEM OCAD interpolates a regular grid with the specified cell size during the import.
5. At the end of the import procedure the imported DEM must be saved in OCAD DEM file format (*.ocdDem) and it is loaded to the OCAD map.
6. To see the extent of the loaded DEM activate the Show Frame menu item.

The Cell size has to be an integer value. The minimum cell size is 1m.

DEM import is limited to approximately 25 mio. data points, resp. 20 mio. data points for LAS files.

In Summary, for example import of LAS data:

File:DEMImport.PNG

1. Choose Import from DEM menu. The dialog box DEM Import appears.
2. Add a DEM data file.
3. Analyze the DEM and click Save.

• Save
• Open: Open an OCAD DEM file (*.ocdDem).
• Show Frame: Shows blue rectangle with the extent of loaded DEM.
• Resize:Resize OCAD DEM file (make a subset) and save it as a new OCAD DEM file.
• Info: Shows information about OCAD DEM file.
• Close: Close OCAD DEM file.

Open

Open an OCAD DEM file (*ocdDem).

Show Frame

Shows blue rectangle with the extent of the loaded DEM.

Resize

Resize OCAD DEM file (make a subset) and save it as a new OCAD DEM file.

Info

Shows information about OCAD DEM file.

Close

Close OCAD DEM file.

Merge DEM

To merge two different DEM, choose Merge from DEM menu.

• DEM 1: Choose the first DEM.
• DEM 2: Choose the second DEM.

The two DEMs must have the same data format, cell size and image clipping.

Calculate DEM Difference

1. Choose Calculate DEM Difference from DEM menu.
2. The Calculate DEM Difference dialog box appears.
3. Add Upper DEM = DSM data file
4. Add Lower DEM = DEM data file
5. Click OK.

To see the DEM difference choose [Classify Vegetation Height]

• No difference between the elevation models appears black.
• The greater the difference, the whiter it appears.

Same data format, cell size and clipping of DSM and DEM.

Create Contour Lines

This function calculates contour lines based on the loaded DEM.

1-3 contour intervals (for example 1m, 5m, 25m) and a pre-selected line symbol (according to the first three line symbols in the settings) for each type appears (can be changed).

Specify the minimum (lowest) and maximum (highest)contour for the calculation.

Create Hypsometric Map

This function calculates a grayscale or colored hypsometric map as GeoTIFF file.

Optionally it is directly loaded as background map.

Two different types of hypsometric maps can be edited:

• Grayscale hypsometric map
• Colored hypsometric map

Create Hill Shading

This function calculates a shaded relief picture (hill shading).

There are two calculation methods available:

• Slope shading is optimized to see outlines of features like paths in a slope.
• Slope shading combined with oblique light shading is the recommended method if the hill shading should be used as a background relief of a map. Optionally the calculated hill shading is directly loaded as background map.

Aside from the chosen method an Azimuth and a Declination of the light source has to be set. Standard settings are 315° (north-west) and 45°. An Exaggeration factor of 4 is pre-selected and can be altered.

Calculate Slope Gradient

Choose Calculate Slope Gradient from DEM menu.

The Calculate Slope Gradient dialog box appears.

Select one of two different methods:

• Continous (<x° = grayscale / >x° = black)
• Black/White (<x° = white / >x° = black)

Classify Vegetation Height

miniatur

Choose Classify Vegetation Height from DEM menu.

There are two different options to show vegetation height classification:

• gray scale classification
• Color classification

Legend for color classification:

Meter statement refers to the difference between the two DEMs.

Create Profile

Create Profile command is only activated if 1 line object in the map is selected. The command calculates a profile for the selected line object.

In the DEM Profile dialog box choose between Auto scale option and a manually set Scale. Turn on/off Grid.

The Elevation factor is the scale factor between the vertical and horizontal profile axis. The Elevation resolution and the Length resolution are filters that influence the calculation of the total ascent and total descent. These resolution values should not be more accurate than the elevation resolution and cell size of the DEM.

It is possible to Add the profile to the actual OCAD map, to Export it as *.ocd, *.bmp or *.gif file or to Print it.

DEM Profile dialog is a non-modal dialog. The user can switch between it and the OCAD map window. It is possible to edit the selected line object in the OCAD map. Click the Update button in the DEM Profile dialog to see the profile for the edited object.

Export

Export OCAD DEM file as ESRI ASCII Grid or as ASCII Grid XYZ. Select Create tiles for large DEMs.

Previous Chapter: Printing Maps

Next Chapter: GPS

Back to Main Page