topic Re: Visualizing DEM data in ArcGIS in Data Management Questions

Visualizing DEM data in ArcGIS

SantonuGoswami — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 12:10:34 GMT

Hi All,
I am trying to visualize Global Multi-resolution Terrain Elevation Data 2010 (GMTED2010) data in ArcMap and unable to do so. I downloaded the mn30_grid of the GMTED2010 and after I extract the zip file, I can see the data files with .adf extension.
My skill in ArcGIS is pretty basic and if someone could help me out here by providing suggestions on how to import these files to ArcGIS, it would be quite helpful.

Thanks,

SG

Re: Visualizing DEM data in ArcGIS

MelitaKennedy — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 15:53:50 GMT

Hi,

If you didn't, you need to unzip the file with 'use folder names' or something similar. Except for a .xml file, the other files are in two folders:

mn30_grd
info

The grid file folder is mn30_grd but it also requires the info folder. The info folder contains files that have the attribute information. Always use ArcCatalog to move grids and coverages (and file geodatabases, etc) if you haven't use the formats before, as it's easy to miss a required file or folder. In ArcMap or ArcCatalog if you browse it the folder that contains the mn30_grd and info folders, you should see mn30_grd as an available raster.

Hope this helps!
Melita

Re: Visualizing DEM data in ArcGIS

SantonuGoswami — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 18:26:32 GMT

Hi,

If you didn't, you need to unzip the file with 'use folder names' or something similar. Except for a .xml file, the other files are in two folders:

mn30_grd
info

The grid file folder is mn30_grd but it also requires the info folder. The info folder contains files that have the attribute information. Always use ArcCatalog to move grids and coverages (and file geodatabases, etc) if you haven't use the formats before, as it's easy to miss a required file or folder. In ArcMap or ArcCatalog if you browse it the folder that contains the mn30_grd and info folders, you should see mn30_grd as an available raster.

Hope this helps!
Melita

Thank you Melita, This worked! Thanks a lot again.

Re: Visualizing DEM data in ArcGIS

SantonuGoswami — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 18:30:47 GMT

I am also trying to figure out how to open another DEM. I am trying to open the North America dem (na_dem) of the HYDRO1k product from USGS in ArcGIS.
Once I unzip the folder I can see that the ne_dem data file is in .bil extension, which I think is in a binary format, am I right? But I cannot seem to figure out how to convert this into ESRI grid. Any suggestion about how to work with this is going to be extremely helpful as well.

Thanks,

SG

Re: Visualizing DEM data in ArcGIS

MelitaKennedy — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 19:34:41 GMT

You should be able to read it directly. bil (band interleaved by line) is supported. The other files (.hdr, .blw) include info like the georeferencing. USGS readme is a little outdated. The section that says you may need to convert to GRID assumes that you're using ArcInfo Workstation. In ArcGIS Desktop, you can use the Raster to Other Format tool.

You might need to use the Define Projection tool to set the coordinate system. You should check the individual data file's readme to see what it says. There's some information in readme that I included a link for above, but I seem to remember that it's out of date too.

Melita

Re: Visualizing DEM data in ArcGIS

SantonuGoswami — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 18:22:52 GMT

You should be able to read it directly. bil (band interleaved by line) is supported. The other files (.hdr, .blw) include info like the georeferencing. USGS readme is a little outdated. The section that says you may need to convert to GRID assumes that you're using ArcInfo Workstation. In ArcGIS Desktop, you can use the Raster to Other Format tool.

You might need to use the Define Projection tool to set the coordinate system. You should check the individual data file's readme to see what it says. There's some information in readme that I included a link for above, but I seem to remember that it's out of date too.

Melita

Thank you Melita,
I can import the .bil file to ArcMap now following what you suggested. Now seems like I need to figure out aboout how to transform the projections correctly. I tried couple of times but it is still not showing any data, just a black screen. Any suggestions on that?