Lake map conversion

[tonyjor]

Okay, here's a good one for you guys. Does anyone know of any software that will turn a 2D contour map(of a lake)into a 3D image. I can do it in my head by looking at the map, but it would be a lot cooler if I could look at a 3D image and figure out a spot that I think may hold fish.

[Random guy]

Now that would be cool! Kinda like the old hummingbird 3-D graphs. Come on you techies help a guy out.

[DEADhead]

The only 3D contour maps I have seen were on a GIS program.

[schweady]

I was going to direct you to topozone's web site and take a look at their Topozone Pro demo, but it seems that their shaded relief only applies to the land forms. Now, if the shading looked the same for the hydro lines, THAT would almost be worth the price of a Pro subscription.

[smallie_hawgin]

Tony,

Actually doing what seems like such a simple thing is relatively complex. ESRI (makes one of the most common GIS apps Arcview-Arcgis-Arcinfo etc.) has a portion of some of their software (like an add-in) that does exactly what you are asking about..... costs about 2Gs !!! So, the long and short of it is.... it aint easy or cheap. Hope this helps.

[eyehunter]

It can also be done with AutoCAD with a Land Desktop overlay. I do it everyday at work.

[Bobb-o]

yeah the ESRI ArcGIS 9 software is pretty amazing. i got a sample with a school book i bought, it came with a year subscription so that i could use the software for the class. you could get the book online it come with the software and the book has pretty easy insturctions, but make sure you have a fast computer cuz it is a big program. you can even overlay a picture onto the depth maps (one thing i found really cool) the book was something like $40 on amazon but make sure you get a new one with a cd, cuz if the cd has been used it will not work again.

[bassman222]

You can get Arcview 3.x for $250 as a student(da full version), which is what I did. With extensions for $100 a pop, 3D Analyst for doing the 3D stuff.