Map Surface with DEMs

[bwills]

I have imported DEMs using Surfaces and I want to place wind turbines on these surfaces. However, I seem to remember reading somewhere that DEMs, while horizontally are in meters, are vertically in feet. Is this totally false? Because of course it would be important to have the turbines in the correct units, since I am trying to show whether they would be visible from a certain point.
Or am I heading down a path of little returns? This is the first time I have tried this! And before anyone suggests it, there is no way I will be able to use LDD.
Thanks!

[bwills]

Okay, nevermind...I finally found the DEM file properties window on the Prospector toolbar (and where did they come up with that name?)
Has anyone put 3d solids on a surface though? And if so, do you have any handy tips to pass on.
Thanks again!

[JeremiahM]

Create a block of your 3D Wind Generator. Then you can create a style for point objects in the civil menu (assuming you are using Map 3D) using that 3D block. Use the civil ponts for your locations. If you have X,Y,Z coordinates it will be easy to see them on the surface, if you dont have the Z coord I think there is a command to project the points to the surface, but you will have to poke around for it, if I find it I will let you know.

Hope this helps,

Jeremiah

[JeremiahM]

By the way, where are you proposing these Generators if i may ask?

Jeremiah

[bwills]

Thanks for the tips about points, Jeremiah. But I honestly have almost given up on using the Surface tools (and yes, I am using Map 3D). The projections do not come in correctly on the surface when I import DEMs, although if I just import the xy's for the DEMs thru Map's import function, it is correct. Have you run into this problem?

I'm not personally planning on putting turbines anywhere ;>
But I work for an archaeological/biological consulting company and these turbines that the company is doing an assessment on are in Colorado.

[JeremiahM]

Yes, i have run into the same problem with DEMs in Map 3D 2005 and no one was able to help me out, even Autodesk. I have not tried it on 2006 yet but will soon. I have 4000 sq mi of service area that i have DEMs for and would like to use in the very near future...

Just wondering about the generators because i used to work with a firm that did them.

Jeremiah

[bwills]

Interesting that Autodesk wasn't much help with the DEM prob...I only started poking around in Surfaces the last month - changed jobs recently and was hoping I could do a 3d representation with the software I have here. But I felt like the whole Civil toolbar was a last minute addition, the documentation seemed sketchy. It would be nice if 2006 has additional features for DEM. I may have to go to upgrade sooner than I planned! I did read that Raster Design has DEM import in 2006, but of course I no longer have that software...