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Keep up to date with the latest from Equator and the HD mapping world
How to import laz file to Civil 3D
How to import a laz file to Civil 3D Currently, there is no way to import laz files directly into AutoDesk Civil 3D. Instead, laz files must be converted into a format that Civil 3D can read, such as RCP/RCS (from AutoDesk Recap), DWG, GeoTIFF, or SHP. This article explains how to convert laz data into Civil 3D supported formats, using industry-standard software.
How to download LiDAR data from the USGS earth explorer
How to download LiDAR data from the USGS Earth Explorer? To download LiDAR data from the USGS Earth Explorer, first, check "show where LiDAR is available." Second, define your area of interest by following the instructions on-screen (hold down the Ctrl key). Third, in the right menu panel, open the "Lidar within AOI" drop-down and click on the "LiDAR Point Cloud (LPC)" folder. Finally, select
How to Calculate Slope in QGIS
How to Calculate the Slope of a DEM in 3 Steps: Open the DEM in QGIS Fill Sinks Run The Slope Tool Step 1 Open the DEM in QGIS In this example, we use a DEM shapefile exported from the Equator Site Builder. Open your DEM shapefile in QGIS by simply dragging and dropping it into the map space:
Satellite Imagery
Satellite Imagery A Product of The 'Data Revolution' Satellite Imagery are images of the Earth captured using satellites and other similar aircraft-based sensor technologies. These images are an asset in obtaining crucial information, with constant updates that track the ever changing human footprint across the Earth. It is likely you have come to harness the capabilities of Satellite imagery at one point or another – whether
LiDAR Quality Levels
LiDAR Quality Levels What is LiDAR data? LiDAR is a radar technology that uses light to measure distances. It is often used in conjunction with other remote sensing technologies, such as GPS and aerial photography. There are a number of commercial LiDAR devices available on the market, and the technology is becoming more and more popular among engineers and students. LiDAR data is
The Top 10 Alternatives to ArcGIS
The Top 10 Alternatives to ArcGIS Find the best GIS platform for your project GIS software is a powerful tool that enables for the presentation, collection, manipulation, management, and analysis of spatial data. It is therefore no surprise that it is used in such a variety of industries ranging from transportation and infrastructure, to environmental planning and disaster response. Currently, ArcGIS is one of the
Working with units and projections in Equator
User Guide / Working with units and projections Working with units and coordinate systems in Equator View and export elevation data in the right format for your job This article explains how to work with elevation data (contours, LiDAR point clouds, DEMs) in different units and coordinate systems. Tutorial
How to Create a 3D Map in QGIS
How to Create a 3D Map in QGIS in 5 Steps: Upload Data Generate 3D Map View Set Type Adjust Vertical Scale Customize Symbology Step 1 Upload Data We begin by uploading our DEM (Digital Elevation Model) from the Equator Site Builder. You may extract your DEM from any source you find appropriate, however, for our purposes we use
How to Clip a Shapefile in QGIS
How to Clip a Shapefile in 3 Steps: Open Shapefile in QGIS Generate a Clip Boundary Clip Input Layer Step 1 Open the shapefile in QGIS In this example, we use a contour line shapefile exported from the Equator Site Builder. Working with large contour data sets in other applications, like desktop CAD software, can be challenging due to
Create Roblox maps from real-world topographical data!
Create Roblox maps from real-world topographical data! How can we create life-like Roblox levels? Use real-world LiDAR scans in your Roblox map to create realistic terrain for an added extra level of detail in your custom game experience. Which Location do we want to export? Click 'Search', then type in the name of the place you're looking
Raster vs Vector Data Formats in GIS
Raster vs Vector EquatorStudios | Feb 1, 2022 494 words | 2 min read The Great Debate Ah yes... Raster vs Vector? A question that has divided the GIS community for years, with one side proclaiming Raster as “the master” and the other insisting Vector as “more corrector”. Ultimately, the answer to this question may never be indefinite. Depending on
How to Calculate Zonal Statistics in QGIS
How to Calculate Zonal Statistics in 2 Steps: Gather Data Calculate Zonal Statistics Step 1 Gather Your Data There is more than one way to acquire zonal statistics, with each method differing in some of the data required to execute the necessary processing tools. In our case, we will be using the Zonal Statistics tool which will require a
Open STL Files using Windows Paint 3D
Open an STL Terrain File in Paint 3D: Find an STL file Open the file in Paint 3D Change the model colour Adjust lighting Capture a screenshot Step 1 Find or create an STL File In this example, we thought it would be cool to see how Paint 3D could handle a high-resolution STL terrain file extracted from Equator.
Top 12 Winning Engineering Proposal Tips for 2022
Top 12 Winning Engineering Proposal Tips for 2022 It’s January 2022, and the time has never been better to brush up on your proposal writing skills. Engineering proposal writing is a skill that anyone can improve at. It requires a healthy balance of technical and sales know-how to really excel. When you figure out how to make this balance work for you, your proposals will
How to Create a Hillshade in QGIS
How to Create a Hillshade in 3 Steps: Upload DEM Data Generate a Hillshade Change the Symbology Step 1 Upload DEM Data Before you can create a hillshade, you will need data. We begin with uploading our DEM (Digital Elevation Model) from the Equator Site Builder. We use Equator’s Site Builder as it provides us with a plethora of
How to Create Contours in QGIS
How to Create Contours in 3 Steps: Upload DEM Data Fill Sinks Generate Contours Step 1 Upload DEM Data Before we can create contours, we need data! We begin by uploading our DEM (Digital Elevation Model) from the Equator Site Builder. We use Equator’s Site Builder as it provides us with a plethora of high-resolution elevation data, with advanced features
How to Extract Surface Flow Directions in QGIS
How to Extract Surface Flow Directions in 7 Steps Upload DEM Data Fill Sinks Generate the Stream Network Change the Symbology Identify a Threshold Generate the Flow Direction Change the Symbology of Flow Direction Step 1 Upload DEM Data Before we can extract any surface flow directions, we will need to upload our DEM (Digital Elevation Model) from the Equator
How to Delineate a Watershed in QGIS
How to Delineate a Watershed in 8 Steps Find DEM data Fill Sinks Generate the Stream Network Generate a Polyline of the Stream Network Project Outlet Point Extract Coordinates of Outlet Point Generate Watershed of the Stream Network Raster to Vector Step 1 Find DEM Data Image of our uploaded DEM from the Equator Site Builder Before
Topographic Survey
Topographic Surveying EquatorStudios | January 11, 2022 1,721 words | 10 min read Navigating Earth Our planet is a fascinating place—full of peaks, valleys, natural habitats, and man-made features. When navigating Earth’s diverse terrain, topographic maps and their data provides a plethora of information. Presenting us with a detailed overview of a landscape, topographic data outlines elements such as contours
How to Make 3D Printed Topographic Maps and Terrains
MAKE ANYTHING Making your own 3D printed topographic maps is easy with Equator! Want to learn how to make your own 3D printed Christmas gifts? Follow this tutorial to learn how! How to download and 3d print really detailed maps Step 1: Open the online Equator platform
Equator Launches Washington DC LiDAR Data
Equator Launches the Washington DC LiDAR data set Equator provides unprecedented access to centimeters of accuracy, in a user-friendly online design platform. Last Updated: December 09, 2021 Access LiDAR Data Equator is pleased to announce the launch of the Washington DC LiDAR dataset in Equator. The Washington DC LiDAR data set covers approximately 17,700 ha and was collected in
How to Make a LiDAR Map
How to Make a LiDAR Map How to Make a LiDAR Map using Equator Visit Equator Studios Search for a location that you would like to create a LiDAR map Zoom in using the scroll wheel to focus in on a specific area When the button on-screen turns green and reads, "Add a New Site Here", click the button to
Equator Launches Albuquerque LiDAR Data
Equator Launches the Albuquerque LiDAR data set Equator provides unprecedented access to centimeters of accuracy, in a user-friendly online design platform. Last Updated: December 08, 2021 Access LiDAR Data Equator is pleased to announce the launch of the Albuquerque LiDAR dataset in Equator. The Albuquerque LiDAR data set covers approximately 48,000 ha and was collected in 2016. This high-resolution elevation
View Contourlines Online
How to View Contourlines In less than 5 minutes you can use Equator to create accurate contourlines. What are contourlines? Contourlines curve and join along points that are the same elevation. They are used by surveyors, civil engineers and other professionals to prepare for construction projects and natural disaster analysis. How
Equator Launches Salt Lake City LiDAR Data
Equator Launches the Salt Lake City LiDAR data set Equator provides unprecedented access to centimeters of accuracy, in a user-friendly online design platform. Last Updated: December 08, 2021 Access LiDAR Data Equator is pleased to announce the launch of the Salt Lake City LiDAR dataset in Equator. The Salt Lake City LiDAR data set covers approximately 28,000 ha and was collected