Improved Elevation Interpolation/Elevation Point Import

Users can now import elevation data (ground survey data points or lidar-collected data points) and plot these as text nodes within the Map Area. The program can then interpolate the elevations of regular-model nodes using these surveyed data points. Elevation data is imported from a tab-delimited text file.

Text nodes can be plotted in the Map Area for reference, or these can be deleted by the user as part of the elevation update routine. Regular-model node elevation updates can then be saved before exiting the program.

This feature allows users to update all node elevations, or only elevations for nodes within a user-defined proximity to survey points. In this manner, a partial elevation update can be implemented if and when additional survey data become available.

To import elevation data from a tab-delimited .txt file, follow the numbered steps within the menu, shown in the image below, which are labeled in blue-green font:

  1. Browse to the file location.
  2. Click the Load File button.
  3. Set the data location (rows and columns to use) and type (X,Y or decimal lat-long) within the.txt file.
  4. Process the file.
  5. Advanced Menu:
    a. Set the extent to which elevation data will be processed (e.g., nodes with nearby elevation data points only, all nodes, etc).
    b. Set the tolerance in map units which defines whether or not an elevation point is near enough to be used for interpolation, if needed.
    c. Decide if elevation data points (imported as text nodes) will be cleared after import.
    d. Click the Interpolate Elevations button.

At any time after step 4, Process File, the user can elect to Show Points on Map or Hide Points on Map. This allows a preview of the survey data points that will be used to interpolate regular-model node elevations.