Is there somewhere that I can download elevation data of a region to then use as a Surface? I have downloaded elevation data from USGS but it is not in a file format that is easily used as a Surface in Autodesk Civil 3D 2019.
i often use more local GIS data like the town or state, and subsequently use the create surface from GIS command under the home tab/create ground data panel/ surface drop down! However chances are the data you have from from USGS is a .las or .laz file, essentially these are Lidar scan point clouds. If you have civil 3d 2018 or later you first are required to process the point cloud in ReCap and then proceed to creating a surface from point cloud back in civil 3d.
Thanks for that link. I found the location I need and downloaded the file (.tif). I then imported the data into ArcMap and cropped the file and exported a smaller .tif file. I then went to Civil 3D and tried the Surfaces --> Create Surface from DEM --> selected my file. However, it says it can't read the file?
I only need a tiny section of elevation data right around Lenhartsville, Pennsylvania. (40.576366, -75.887110)
Looks like you are close. It may be how you cropped. I use the original file, zoom to the area limits I want on my screen and then "Project to Raster". In my environments - Processing Extent - I select same as display. Then Conversion Tools Raster to ASCII to make a txt file. (Sorry for the edit- forgot the last part!)
