Problems with Topo to Raster DEM

[MargaretSneeringer]

Hi all,

I have a question about using the DEM created by Topo to Raster in ArcScene (10.2). When I try to set the base heights so that the DEM displays as a 3D surface, I don't have the option to "Use elevation values in the layer's feature." Any suggestions on how to fix this, or what I may have done wrong? I generated the DEM from a georeferenced contour line file.

I should mention that I have only recently started getting back into GIS after several years away, and it's entirely possible that I have forgotten a crucial step.

Thanks,
Meg

[ATTACH=CONFIG]27817[/ATTACH]

[XanderBakker · Accepted solution]

Hi all,

I have a question about using the DEM created by Topo to Raster in ArcScene (10.2). When I try to set the base heights so that the DEM displays as a 3D surface, I don't have the option to "Use elevation values in the layer's feature." Any suggestions on how to fix this, or what I may have done wrong? I generated the DEM from a georeferenced contour line file.

I should mention that I have only recently started getting back into GIS after several years away, and it's entirely possible that I have forgotten a crucial step.

Thanks,
Meg

[ATTACH=CONFIG]27817[/ATTACH]

Hi Meg,

In the top of the dialog you'll see "Elevation from surface" you should change the option to "Floating on a custom surface".
Then your raster demtest3 will be used for elevation.

The option "Use elevation values in the layer's feature" is only for vector data and your DEM is raster.

Kind regards,

Xander

[MargaretSneeringer]

Dear Xander,

Thank you for your feedback. I tried what you suggested, but when I did, the layer completely disappeared. I tried "zoom to layer," and the scene is still blank. Any further suggestions?

Thanks,
Meg

[NeilAyres]

Meg,
what's the coordinate system of your dem?
Please post the coord sys tab & extents tab of the properties page here.
Thanks,
Neil

[MargaretSneeringer]

Dear Neil and Xander,

You know, I just figured out what the problem was a moment ago. The DEM is lat/long, but the elevation values are in meters. So I was able to change the conversion to scene units from 1.0 to 0.000015, and everything looks right now. When I was doing this a few years ago, my prof insisted on UTM, so there was never a conversion issue.

Thanks again for your help!
Meg