DEM to contours

Question

Hi everyone,

I think this is a pretty basic questions, but does anyone know if it is possible to create contours from a DEM?  I want to create contours from it, in order to get existing conditions for this area.  These contours will then be converted to CAD.  I just want to make sure I can create contours from these DEM's.

Thanks for the help,
Ryan

myname · Answer

This clip help you create contours from DEM  create contours from DEM - YouTube

RyanBerner · Answer

Thanks everyone.  Much appreciated.

EricRice · Answer

Hi Ryan,

There are multiple ways to create contours in ArcGIS depending on the version you are using.  The screenshot in the post above shows the Contour tool available on the 3D Analyst toolbar.  There is also a geoprocessing version of the tool (for scripting, building models, or single executions) available in ArcToolbox > 3D Analyst tools > Raster Surface > Contour.

If you don't have 3D, you have to have the Spatial Analyst extension.  Pre 10, the Contour tool is available on the Spatial Analyst toolbar (similar place as the 3d toolbar) and also in ArcToolbox.  In ArcGIS 10, Contour is only available from the Geoprocessing Environment.  For Spatial go to ArcToolbox > Spatial Analyst tools > Surface > Contour. For access to Contour from 3D Analyst, the location in ArcToolbox is unchanged from 9.3 to 10.

Regards,
Eric