[Freegis-list] typical elevation data format

[Frank Warmerdam]

On Sat, 19 Feb 2005 11:40:33 -0500, Reed Hedges <reed at interreality.org> wrote:
> 
> Hello. I'm pretty new to GIS but want to start experimenting with rough
> maps and 3D visualizations.
> 
> What are some of the most common DEM data formats? I want to write
> scripts to import them into a 3D modeling and animation program
> (Blender).
> 
> Looking at some of the free data linked from freegis.org, I see that:
> 
> 1. NOAA "GLOBE" and USGS "GTOPO" files contain binary signed 16 bit
> sequences, with new rows starting after X values (but no row
> seperator).
> 2. The "GTOPO" .HDR file specifies byte order, #rows, lat/lon
> registration, etc.  (Looks like ARC View format?)
> 3. The "GLOBE" .hdr file has similar info, but with a different syntax.
> (For the GeoVu sofware)

Reed,

GeoTIFF, USGS ASCII DEM (same as Canadian CDED) 
and DTED ( US Military) are also pretty common formats.

SDTS, UK NTF and many others also exist.

You might consider using the GDAL library to read these
formats as it supports most already. 

http://www.gdal.org/

Best regards,
-- 
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