Learn2021-04-05T17:35:50-04:00

Blog

Keep up to date with the latest from Equator and the HD mapping world

2301, 2025

Equator Launches Westport LiDAR Data

By |January 23rd, 2025|Categories: Blog, Locations and Data|0 Comments

Equator Launches the Westport LiDAR data set Equator provides unprecedented access to centimeters of accuracy, in a user-friendly online design platform. Last Updated: December 01, 2021 Access LiDAR Data Equator is pleased to announce the launch of the Westport LiDAR dataset in Equator. The Westport LiDAR dataset covers all of Westport, the surrounding coast and mountains. It was collected

2301, 2025

What is Land Surveying?

By |January 23rd, 2025|Categories: Blog|0 Comments

What is land surveying? Land surveying is the practice of measuring and mapping the land surface. Surveying is used to determine the precise boundaries of a piece of land, as well as the location of natural and man-made features on the land. Surveying is typically performed by professional land surveyors, who use specialized equipment, such as total stations and GPS receivers,

2301, 2025

The Top 10 Alternatives to ArcGIS

By |January 23rd, 2025|Categories: Blog, Engineering, GIS Software, QGIS|0 Comments

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

2301, 2025

Equator Launches Hamilton LiDAR Data

By |January 23rd, 2025|Categories: Blog, Locations and Data|0 Comments

Equator Launches the Hamilton, New Zealand LiDAR data set Equator provides unprecedented access to centimeters of accuracy, in a user-friendly online design platform. Last Updated: November 26, 2021 Access LiDAR Data Equator is pleased to announce the launch of the Hamilton LiDAR dataset in Equator. The Hamilton, New Zealand LiDAR data set covers approximately 39,470ha and was collected in

2301, 2025

How to Create Contours in QGIS

By |January 23rd, 2025|Categories: Blog, QGIS, Tutorials|0 Comments

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

2301, 2025

Equator Launches Blenheim LiDAR Data

By |January 23rd, 2025|Categories: Blog, Locations and Data|0 Comments

Equator Launches the Blenheim LiDAR data set Equator provides unprecedented access to centimeters of accuracy, in a user-friendly online design platform. Last Updated: December 01, 2021 Access LiDAR Data Equator is pleased to announce the launch of the Blenheim LiDAR dataset in Equator. The Blenheim LiDAR data set covers approximately 4,000ha and was collected in 2014. This high-resolution elevation data,

2301, 2025

Google Earth Contours vs LiDAR Contours

By |January 23rd, 2025|Categories: Blog, Civil Engineering|0 Comments

Google Earth Contours vs LiDAR Contours This article includes a description of how to generate contours using two different methods, and a comparison of each. Software used includes Google Earth, QGIS, GPS Visualizer, and Equator. Introduction Using contours to represent the topography of a site is one of the easiest ways to understand

2301, 2025

Differences Between TIN vs STL

By |January 23rd, 2025|Categories: Blog, Tutorials|Comments Off on Differences Between TIN vs STL

Design Confidently with the World’s Largest LiDAR Library In this short article you will learn about the differences between TIN vs STL files. What is a TIN File? Triangular irregular networks (TIN) are a popular form of digital geographic data that have been used for many years by the GIS and CAD communities.  TINs are

2301, 2025

What is a LAZ file?

By |January 23rd, 2025|Categories: Blog|Comments Off on What is a LAZ file?

Design Confidently with the World’s Largest LiDAR Library In this short article you will learn what a LAZ file is. What is a LAZ File? A LAZ file is a compressed LIDAR data file used by several point cloud data programs. LIDAR stands for Light Detection And Ranging, and it is a type of remote

2301, 2025

Top 12 Winning Engineering Proposal Tips for 2024

By |January 23rd, 2025|Categories: Blog, Proposals RFPs RFQs, Tutorials|0 Comments

Top 12 Winning Engineering Proposal Tips for 2024 It’s January 2024, and the time has never been better to brush up on your proposal writing skills. Engineering proposal writing is a skill that no matter who you are, there's room for improvement. It requires a healthy balance of technical and sales know-how to really excel. When you figure out how to make this

2301, 2025

GIS – An Overview of Everything GIS

By |January 23rd, 2025|Categories: Blog|0 Comments

What software do I need to create a GIS? There are many different software options available for creating a GIS. Some of the most popular software programs include: Esri ArcGIS: This is a suite of GIS software products that are widely used in the public and private sectors. It includes tools for mapping, analysis, data management, and visualization. QGIS: This is

2301, 2025

Equator Launches Palmerston North LiDAR Data

By |January 23rd, 2025|Categories: Blog, Locations and Data|0 Comments

Equator Launches the Palmerston North LiDAR data set Equator provides unprecedented access to centimeters of accuracy, in a user-friendly online design platform. Last Updated: November 26, 2021 Access LiDAR Data Equator is pleased to announce the launch of the Palmerston North LiDAR dataset in Equator. The Palmerston North LiDAR data set covers approximately 39,470ha and was collected in 2018.

2301, 2025

Equator Launches Canterbury LiDAR Data

By |January 23rd, 2025|Categories: Blog, Locations and Data|0 Comments

Equator Launches the Canterbury LiDAR data set Equator provides unprecedented access to centimeters of accuracy, in a user-friendly online design platform. Last Updated: November 12, 2021 Access LiDAR Data Equator is pleased to announce the launch of the Canterbury LiDAR dataset in Equator. The Canterbury LiDAR data set covers approximately 25,000 ha and was collected in 2018. This high-resolution

2301, 2025

The Importance of a Single Narrative

By |January 23rd, 2025|Categories: Blog, Civil Engineering, Proposals RFPs RFQs|0 Comments

The Importance of a Single Narrative Use a Unified Narrative to Write a Stronger Civil Engineering Proposal By: Lindsay Mooradian, P.Eng. | Written: July 2024 As civil engineers, who worked in the consulting industry for a number of years, we know that it is a very competitive world. We also know that when it comes to proposals or responding

2301, 2025

What is LiDAR? Where can I download it? (and other answers)

By |January 23rd, 2025|Categories: Blog, Civil Engineering|0 Comments

LIDAR What is LiDAR: Getting Started Guide 10 Minute Read This article provides answers to commonly asked questions about LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging technology), and highlights examples of how it is used in various applications. Jump to Section What is LiDAR? How does LiDAR work? What are airborne LiDAR surveys?

2301, 2025

How to Make 3D Printed Topographic Maps and Terrains

By |January 23rd, 2025|Categories: 3D Printing, Blog, Digital Elevation Model, LiDAR, Topography, Uncategorized|0 Comments

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

2301, 2025

Discover the HIDDEN Accuracy of Your LiDAR Data

By |January 23rd, 2025|Categories: Blog, Civil Engineering, Equator Blog, Files, Definitions, Concepts, LiDAR, Tutorials|0 Comments

Discover the HIDDEN Accuracy of Your LiDAR Data Mastering LiDAR Quality: A Quick Guide to Understanding Metadata and Accuracy It all starts with the USGS LiDAR Quality Levels This legend appears on Equator's interface when you turn on the Elevation Products. But what does it mean? The varying quality levels (QL) are defined by the

2301, 2025

Equator Launches Surrey LiDAR Data

By |January 23rd, 2025|Categories: Blog, Locations and Data|0 Comments

Equator Launches the Surrey LiDAR data set Equator provides unprecedented access to centimeters of accuracy, in a user-friendly online design platform. Last Updated: November 12, 2021 Access LiDAR Data Equator is pleased to announce the launch of the Surrey LiDAR dataset in Equator. The Surrey LiDAR data set covers approximately 2,400 ha and was collected in 2016. This high-resolution

2301, 2025

ArcGIS Create DEM and Profile from LAS

By |January 23rd, 2025|Categories: Blog, Civil Engineering, GIS Data and Analysis, Tutorials|0 Comments

Tutorial: Create a DEM and Profile from an LAS File in ESRI ArcGIS Map In this tutorial, you will learn how to use Equator to source a LiDAR point cloud, or LAZ file, then use ArcGIS Map to convert the LAZ file to an LAS file, create a digital elevation model (DEM) from the LAS file, and create a profile from the DEM. Step

2301, 2025

Equator Launches Abbotsford LiDAR Data

By |January 23rd, 2025|Categories: Blog, Locations and Data|0 Comments

Equator Launches the Abbotsford LiDAR data set Equator provides unprecedented access to centimeters of accuracy, in a user-friendly online design platform. Last Updated: November 12, 2021 Access LiDAR Data Equator is pleased to announce the launch of the Abbotsford LiDAR dataset in Equator. The Abbotsford LiDAR data set covers approximately 27,400 ha and was collected in 2016. This high-resolution

2301, 2025

Equator Launches Vancouver LiDAR Data

By |January 23rd, 2025|Categories: Blog, Locations and Data|0 Comments

Equator Launches the Vancouver LiDAR data set Equator provides unprecedented access to centimeters of accuracy, in a user-friendly online design platform. Last Updated: November 12, 2021 Access LiDAR Data Equator is pleased to announce the launch of the Vancouver LiDAR dataset in Equator. The Vancouver LiDAR data set covers approximately 11,500 ha and was collected in 2016. This high-resolution

2301, 2025

Topographic Survey

By |January 23rd, 2025|Categories: Blog, Uncategorized|0 Comments

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

2301, 2025

Equator Launches Washington DC LiDAR Data

By |January 23rd, 2025|Categories: Blog, Locations and Data|0 Comments

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

2301, 2025

Google Earth Contours vs LiDAR

By |January 23rd, 2025|Categories: Blog, Tutorials|Tags: , , , |0 Comments

Google Earth Contours vs LiDAR Contours In this article you will learn how to extract contours from Google Earth and from Equator. Then, we will see how they compare to each other. To follow along you will need to use: Google Earth Pro, QGIS and Equator. Video: Watch the video tutorial below, or follow along with the written

2301, 2025

Equator Launches Christchurch LiDAR Data

By |January 23rd, 2025|Categories: Blog, Locations and Data|0 Comments

Equator Launches the Christchurch LiDAR data set Equator provides unprecedented access to centimeters of accuracy, in a user-friendly online design platform. Last Updated: November 26, 2021 Access LiDAR Data Equator is pleased to announce the launch of the Christchurch LiDAR dataset in Equator. The Christchurch LiDAR data set covers approximately 142,000ha and was collected in 2019. This high-resolution elevation