Mapping Hacks

Visualize Your Tracks in Three Dimensions #53

Chapter 5, Mapping with Gadgets

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HACK

labeled “Ground Trail to DEM Elevation,” and then click OK. That is all

you need to do. Assuming you have loaded the proper DEMs, the program

will add elevation to your tracklog. You can now select File

➝ Save to save

this tracklog with elevation data included and use that tracklog in other pro-

grams that use elevation.

Hacking the Maps

Since DRGs are images in TIFF or JPEG format, you can edit the images and

create your own views of the data. Download a DRG that covers your area,

make a copy of it, and then load it into an image editor, such as Photoshop

or the GIMP. If you save your customized image in a PNG file, you can

retain the original DRG as the TIFF image. Alternatively, create a new layer,

set the opacity to 50%, and use the base layer as a guide to your own cre-

ation!

Three-Dimensional Terrain Models in 3DEM

While Wissenbach Map3D is great at combining tracklogs and elevation

models, it can be a bit of a challenge to work with if all you want to do is

render 3-D scenery. For that, try 3DEM, a fantastic piece of free software for

Windows.

3DEM has some features in common with Wissenbach Map3D, but Wissen-

bach assumes that you know where you want to explore and that you have

already downloaded the relevant elevation data. This makes Wissenbach

more “transparent” at letting you follow a tracklog, while