Modeling existing terrain

[ltravisjr]

As a learning exercise, I am going to model an exterior view of my own house. However, before I even begin, I can tell the first challenge will be the fact that the house sits on a small hill with some varying elevations. Now, since I don't have surveying or gps equipment, how would I approach accurately modeling the terrain? It obviously doesn't have to be exact to the inch, but I would like it to be reasonably accurate. Accurately measuring the house itself is easy: I can just get a tape measure and have at it. But existing terrain...that is another matter. How do you all handle it?

 

Thanks,

Larry

[Ernest Burden III]

USGS topo maps.

 

Get them from the USGS, in various formats, along with a hodge-podge collection of converters to DXF, of heightmap images that can be read in most modelers to generate terrains. Your best bet is is topo data.

 

A general-purpose place to start is:

 

GIS Depot

 

I have a CD with topo maps of the entire US, but its raster, and the contour intervals aren't as tight as I would like, but its a starting point. If all else fails, I can send you a JPEG of your area from that.

[ltravisjr]

I appreciate the advice. I thought about topo maps also, and since I work for an engineering firm I can get access to them fairly easily. The only concern is that the contours wouldn't be close enough enough to describe the simple grade of my the half acre I am interested in. I will explore it though. As I said, it is just a personal project, so a little error won't kill me

 

-Larry