IS THERE A FREE WAY TO IMPORT TERRAIN DATA?

[w_davis]

Hey,

I have tried using Plex.Earth but it was only a trial, and I was wondering fi there was a free way to import terrain data in AutoCAD C3D 2010?  Thanks Guys.

[mathewkol]

If you can get your hands on DEM information, which is generally pretty easy, there's your terrain data. The ease of obtaining it depends on where it is you need the data.

[w_davis]

Now this may seem like a redundant question but I have never used DEM data before so could you help me understand where I should look for it?

[Neilw_05]

DEM=Digital Elevation Model. There are several sites that offer them free of charge. The best source for free DEM's is the National Map, sponsored by the USGS, since those DEMs are the most current and highest resolution. A web search should get you the links.

Be aware that the DEM's provided via the National Map are in NED (National Elevation Dataset) format. C3D can read those files but it is not a documented process. You'll want to query the forum for topics about importing NED files.

[AllenJessup]

Letting us know where you're looking for data would help. I've found assuming that everyone's in the USA can lead one astray.

[w_davis]

I am in MN, I am also trying the National Map and using NED data, so the next step in my journey is to figure out how to import this into AutoCAD, and I realize that there are some threads that probably relate to this but if you have any advice on doing that that might save me some time....much appriciated.

[brian.strandberg · Accepted solution]

As it happens, I just wrote a tutorial on importing data from the National Map for my company, and will post it here.  I havn't been able to get input from co-workers yet so use at your own risk, and please forward any suggestions.

This covers importing Terrain Data and Orthophotos.

[w_davis]

So I download the data from National Map, open it up and find the w001001.adf file and go to open it in AutoCAD and it says invalid DEM file???  What could I be doing wrong?

[Neilw_05]

Instructions for the process can be found in several posts on the forums. Please don't expect someone to re-write them to save your time doing the research.

[brian.strandberg]

I'm not sure, it could possibly be a problem with the download I have not had that error.  Check the section in the Civil 3d help and see if the information there can help you.

http://docs.autodesk.com/CIV3D/2013/ENU/index.html?url=filesCUG/GUID-FC6B53E9-A7F7-414F-AC3D-CAF0075...

[dasindog]

Give this a shot. https://app.blueridgeanalytics.com/topolite/

[w_davis]

So in my case, Autocad needed access to the Unzipped file that the data came in, not just the .adf file copy and pasted.  This seems to have worked but is currently loading, only time will tell.

[mayottet]

I followed your tutorials to the letter, but have been getting data files that have 1000x the number of points you had with your 1/9 arc second file.  This keeps happening with other sites as well.  I am at a loss as to what the problem may be.  I suspect that my bounding box is not being interpreted for some reason and instead I am getting a file for an entire quadrangle.  Any thoughts?

[BrianHailey]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

As it happens, I just wrote a tutorial on importing data from the National Map for my company, and will post it here.  I havn't been able to get input from co-workers yet so use at your own risk, and please forward any suggestions.

This covers importing Terrain Data and Orthophotos.

---

As an alternative, and if you have it, you can import the DEM into Infraworks and then export out a .imx file and then import that into C3D. No need to set coordinate systems or worry about elevation issues.

HERE is my write up on it using Autodesk Infrastructure Modeler which was rebranded as Infraworks.

[fcernst]

Is there any free data with Breaklines for floodplain modeling?

[BrianHailey]

Almost all of the data I've seen has been in DEM format and not breakline information. Every once in a while I'll find contour data but that's pretty rare.

[mayottet]

Brian:

There was no post of your NED download tutorial, as noted in your message.

Thanks

[fcernst]

Why can't Civil 3D import and convert the LL84 NED datasets to Imperial coordinate systems on its own by now?

Civil 3D seems so neglected.

[neilyj666]

if it ain't 360 or Apple based, then nothing new or improved/enhanced is ever added; at least that is the impression that I get....

[BrianHailey]

---

@mayottet wrote:

Brian:

There was no post of your NED download tutorial, as noted in your message.

Thanks

---

The word "HERE" had a hyperlink to the article.

Here is the link: http://civil3dplus.wordpress.com/2012/11/20/dem-files-in-civil-3d-take-2/