You can download topo maps >>HERE<<.
Zoom in to your site using the map on the right. Then on left, under Map, check box for US Topo. Click Find Products to view available products.
Chicagolooper
Hello @ddevitt
I recommend you forget about topo lines as AutoCAD entities. In today's world you're better off searching for and acquiring shapefile format. Viable alternatives to shapefile include, but are not limited to are, kmz, kml and gdb, which can be converted using know-how of course, from their native format to AutoCAD linework.
AutoCAD formatted topo lines, which may have been popluar with your Mom or Dad, is medival. The sooner you buy into the new technology the better off you'll be! and your coworkers and your boss will be. and your clients will be. Searching for AutoCAD-ish topo lines will lead you down the proverbial Rabbit Hole. Please don't go down there.
- To find Topo lines in shapefile format, go to the TNM Download v2 site. The downloads are free. See image-1.
- Search here to FIND your specific site location. Next, insert a POINT to mark your site. See image-2.
- Check box named Topo Map Data and Topo Stylesheet=>Shapefile=>Search Products. See image-3
- Your search will yield results. Click Download Link (ZIP). It's free and don't even need an account. See image-4.
Notes:
- The Zip file contains much more than Contour Data. Just go with it. You can’t control the amount of data you receive when you download these ZIP files.
- The area or ‘coverage’ you download is identical to the area of a 7.5 X 7.5 minute USGS Quadrangle.
- Depending on your site’s location, your site may be near the edge or corner of a 7.5 X 7.5 minute Quad, you may need to download multiple Zip Files. You can consider a Quad a 'map tile.' If you're at or near a corner, you'll need four tiles to 'fill up' your viewport so when you print, your map looks good.
- When browsing the Zip file, Contour lines are typically in a shapefile named Elev_Contour.
- Don't separate or delete any part(s) of the shapefile. If you do, they may not scale or insert accurately.
- To add the Contour shapefile you can use MAPIMPORT command. It converts shapefile lines to vanilla polylines.
- You should (highly recommended) Create Object Data during MapImport. Grab ALL Contour data availble.
- Alternatively, you may forego AutoCAD polylines and add the contours as a Feature Data Object (FDO) using a Data Connection.
Chicagolooper