USGS DEM to TurboCAD 3D Mesh Translator

© 2001 Winston Mitchell

Download an Excel spreadsheet that accepts data from a USGS 7.5 minute (1:24k) 30-meter DEM files in SDTS Format. The macro will not handle other size DEMs.

The built-in macro converts the data to a form suitable for copying into a series of TurboCAD v7, v8, or v9 3D Meshes. Because the meshes share common rows and columns, they will appear in TurboCAD as one continuous mesh. The spreadsheet is complete with instructions for use. The macro is compatible with Excel 97 or later.

USGS DEMs in SDTS (Spatial Data Transfer Standard) format can be found at these sites:

Geo Community

This site is useful if you know the DEM's loacation by State and County and you know the name of the DEM's quadrangle. Downloads are are free but slow; fast downloads are available for a fee.

MapMart

This site (my favorite, for now) offers free, fast downloads. DEMs are located by navigating an interactive map.

ADTI-USGS Downloads

Fast, free downloads. DEMs are located by latitude and longitude.

Files in SDTS format need to be converted to the standard DEM format (a readable text file) before entering the data into the spreadsheet. Download this version of SDTS2DEM.EXE (zipped format) for performing this conversion. Do not use the current version available on the Internet as it produces a format that is not compatible with the Excel macro.

This image of Mount Rainier was rendered in TurboCAD v7 using this tool.

Revisions:

4/24/01

Original post

5/17/01

Updated page to reflect which DEMs the tool can use. Spreadsheet updated with color-coded selection ranges.

3/21/02

Reinstated and updated with compatible SDTS2DEM.EXE download. Updated link to currently available SDTS downloads.

12/31/2002

Fixed incorrect paste instruction in spreadsheet.

1/1/03

Added an option to the macro to remove "skirts". Added new links to SDTS DEM sources and some info about them.