Using USGS Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) in ArcView and ArcGIS

Author:

Joseph J. Kerski
Geographer
USGS
Box 25046 - MS 507
Denver CO 80225-0046 USA
303-202-4315  Tel
303-202-4137  Fax
jjkerski@usgs.gov

Using DEM Files in ArcView 3.x:

	Visit http://software.geocomm.com/translators/sdts/   and download the SDTS DEM extension.

	Visit http://data.geocomm.com/dem/demdownload.html and download USGS DEMs.  

	Unzip the DEMs.

	In ArcView, turn on the Spatial Analyst extension.

	Use the DEM extension that you downloaded above to convert the DEMs.

	In ArcView, use FILE --> Import USGS DEM to create a lattice.

Using DEM Files in ArcGIS:

	Visit http://data.geocomm.com/dem/demdownload.html and download USGS DEMs.  
	
	These will be in SDTS (Spatial Data Transfer Standard) format.

	Unzip the DEMs.

	In ArcToolbox, use SDTS Raster to Grid conversion to convert the SDTS DEMs.

	In ArcMap, add layer and use the DEMs. 

Using DEM Files in ArcInfo 7:

	Visit http://data.geocomm.com/dem/demdownload.html and download USGS DEMs.  

	Unzip the DEMs.
	Create a grid with DEMLATTICE

	Create a shaded relief with HILLSHADE
     	Create an image from the shaded relief with GRIDIMAGE

	This grid can also be used in ArcView.