Can`t convert a mosaic dataset in TIN!!

[JuliaHauczinger]

I merged several DEMs together in on single DEM with mosaic dataset. Now I wanted to convert this mosaic dataset in Vector with
TIN. But when I use the tool (3D Analyst Tool) Raster to TIN comes an Error:

"In the background processing a fatal error has occurred, so that they can not be continued.
The background events were due to an error can not be completed."

I don`t know waht is the problem...

Have I to convert the mosaic Dataset first to another format? (How?)

Or do you have any other ideas to convert mosaic dataset to vector??

[EricRice]

Julia,

TIN has a physical limit to the size it can be, or more bluntly, the number of nodes it can contain.  It is subject to about 15 million nodes.  There is documentation on this and other suggestions we offer, such as not even exceeding 4-5 million for performance reasons.  TIN's are therefore not what you want when working with a large area, such as several DEM's, or hundreds of DEM's.  You didn't really say how many you have. 

For example, a standard 1/3 arc second DEM from USGS is 10812 x 10812 pixels.  This would equate to 116,899,344 nodes if converted to TIN, which means it's not going to work.

Why do you want a TIN?

Best,
Eric