mavs00 said:
Mike,
That's pretty interesting stuff, I'd be interesting in doing some 3D rendering. What software are you using and what is the process for rendering the terrain. Thanks [/B]
Thanks,
Right now I'm using a couple of different applications.
The first is a great program called Global Mapper. I use this application to load and convert the DEM quadrangles. Global mapper reads the new SDTS format as well as a host of other USGS formats. GM allows you to load multiple quadrangles at once. The program even lines them up for you and allows you to select and export only the areas on a quad (or quads) you need which is handy if you need an area that stradles two or more quads.
The program can export to many popular 3D and 2D formats. It can also handle many of the other USGS formats. I'm using an older version of the application which sells for less than the current version. They also have a free version you can download to try out, but you can't export anything with it.
After I lay out the quads I export the data to the stereolithograph (STL) format. I also export the DRG topo data that corresponds to the DEM data. This I export as a BMP image file.
From there I import the data into a second program called 3D Studio Max. Using the BMP image generated with Global Mapper I texture map the 3D mesh and render it using the program's built in rendering engine. 3D Studio is a great program but it's a bit expensive and a bit of overkill for something like this. I just use it because I have it for other work I do.
Any 3D design program should be able to perform the same task though, even some of the freeware ones available. Some may even be better suited for this type of work. There is one out there called MircoDEM (I think) that can render 3D LOS views from any point on the mesh.
That's the quick explaination, I wasn't sure how much detail you wanted. I can elaborate if necessary.
^MtnMike^