Special Topics- Lab 4- TINS and DEMS

 This week we explored utilizing ArcGIS Pro to create elevation models. Additionally we converted a DEM to a TIN in order to create a ski run suitability map that weighted aspect, slope and elevation and presented ideal locations for a ski slope.

TINs and DEMs are terrain models used to analyze topographic features. TIN data uses a type of vector data to model a 3D surface by linking a series of triangles of different sizes based on elevation point data. These data points vary in density in proportion to the terrain the terrain. More complex terrain contains more data points, while simpler terrain contains fewer data points. A DEM consists of raster data consisting of a regular grid pattern that models elevation. 

We used our TIN and DEM models to depict the contour lines and slope of our data. Although DEM contour lines are smoother and more reminiscent of a typical map, TIN contour lines are more accurate due to the ability of the data to represent various surface features, notably peaks and ridges.

The first image displays my TIN while the second image contrasts my DEM layer of the same data.

The biggest difference I noticed between the two layers was that the DEM seemed to over estimate the uppermost regions of the data, adding contour lines where they were absent from the TIN data.