Export a TIN elevation surface into SDE?

[FionaRenton]

I need to somehow get a TIN elevation surface (generated by someone else) into our SDE geodatabase. 

I realize I have to convert it to a raster, but the TIN to raster command is giving me very different results.  It was generated in unprojected decimal degrees.

Does anyone have any hints or advice?

Thanks

Fiona

[KhalidDuri1]

Hello Fiona,

It would be best to consider creating a terrain dataset from the TIN's data. Source data from the TIN can be extracted using the various conversion tools available for the TIN dataset in ArcToolbox > 3D Analyst Tools > Conversion > From TIN toolset. The terrain dataset presents a highly scalable solution for storing your surface data.

The resulting data will need to be output to a feature dataset in your SDE. This data can then be used to create a terrain dataset. The second sample script for the Create Terrain tool's help documentation gives an example of how this process can be achieved through a Python script. Please see here.

For more information on terrain datasets:

- What is a terrain dataset?

- Benefits of using a terrain dataset

- FAQs for a terrain dataset