How Can I Improve the Reproducibility of DTMs in Surpac?
Saving
Digital Terrain Models (DTMs) in a “binary” format rather than a “text” format can significantly improve their reproducibility later.
Why?
- Binary format allows greater data precision by storing up to six decimal places. Text format only stores up to three decimal places.
- Data precision is important when your DTM is partly comprised of very small triangles. When your DTM is saved as text, very small triangles can be misrepresented which results in an invalid DTM. Saving as binary ensures DTMs remain valid.
- Binary format also saves the information in a format that is identical across all hardware platforms.
You will be able to save in a binary format after executing one of the graphical solids intersection functions such as:
- Union solids
- Outersect solids
- Intersect solids
- Clip solid above a DTM
- Clip solid below a DTM
- Intersect two DTMs to form a solid
To learn more about Surpac, visit www.gemcomsoftware.com/surpac.
