ELEVATION TOOLKIT  (elevation.tar)
                            09/02/97
                   ==================================

PURPOSE:
========
 The elevation toolkit is used to convert a DEM file to an ARC elevation grid,
 create a shaded relief (hillshade) representation of the elevation grid,
 create screen- or paper-customized ARC plotfile combining the hillshading
 with user-prepared coverage data, and optionally to create 3-Dimensional
 perspective draped views of the shaded relief and selected vector digital
 data on the elevation grid.


USAGE:
======
  1. First, unpack the toolkit:
           tar -xvf elevation.tar

  2. If you plan to clip all output elevation grids and plotfiles to a 
     rectangular, quadrangle-based neatline, then do:
     Arc:  &r neatline       -- to show usage. Re-run with appropriate arguments
                                to create a neatline clipping coverage.

  3. If you need to customize your elevation source(s) (i.e. resample from the
     original DEM x,y cell resolution, convert Z units from feet to meters or 
     vice-versa, apply a Yshift to the Y coordinates, etc.), then:
           &r dem2grid       -- run without arguments to show usage, then
                                run with desired options to create elevation
                                grid from DEM.  Output is elevation grid
                                ready to be processed by the next step below.

  4. After performing the previous 2 optional steps, then run the toolkit:
           &r elevation      -- menu will be displayed, enter desired options.


TOOLKIT FILES:
==============
  The following are called by the elevation toolkit (most can also be run 
  stand-alone from the Arc: command line):
    dem2hillsh.aml        -- converts DEM file to ARC elevation Grid, and then
                             creates a separate hillshade grid 
    elev2hillsh.aml       -- makes hillshade grid from existing elevation grid
    elevation.aml         -- main toolkit driver
    elevation.menu        -- menu allowing user to set up elevation processing
    elevation_plot.aml    -- plots 2D or 3D drape of vector data on hillshade.

  The following are not called by the elevation toolkit, but may be useful
  before or after running the toolkit:
    README_ELEVATION      -- This readme file
    dem2grid.aml          -- converts DEM file to ARC elevation Grid.  Options
                             exist for resampling, INT/FLOAT, FT/METERS, Yshift.
    elevation_skipgrids.aml -- stand-alone extra program to be used if both an
                               elevation grid and hillshade grid already exist.
    gridmosaic.aml        -- mosaics multiple adjoining grids together.
    neatline.aml          -- creates a geometrically correct neatline Arc
                             coverage for use in clipping to the proper extent.
                             This must be run stand-alone before attempting to
                             use the built-in clipping of the elevation tool.

OUTPUTS:
========
  The outputs of this elevation toolkit are (if all options are chosen):
    1. ARC/INFO elevation Grid from input DEM
    2. ARC/INFO hillshade Grid of whatever resolution the user chooses
    3. Optional quadrangle neatline clipping/extent coverage
    4. ARC/INFO graphics plotfile of hillshade, with any user-created vector
       data overlaid on the hillshading.  Either 2-D (orthographic map) or 
       3-D (perspective view) output is possible.  Plotfiles can be customized 
       for computer-screen or paper output.


John Kosovich
(303) 202-4301
jjkosovich@usgs.gov