EasyPlan Hi-Resolution Data

Introduction

In February 2000 the Space Shuttle Endeavour scanned about 80% of the Earths total landmass, using radar, to develop an accurate Digital Elevation Model (DEM). This data has recently been published and is available to download. EasyPlan has been updated to read these DEM files, and show the ground elevation in stunning detail. Even the mine dumps around Johannesburg can be identified.

Comparison

The following pictures show Hartbeespoort Dam rendered using the hi-resolution data, and using the existing data.

Obtaining the high resolution Digital Elevation Data

The DEM data can be obtained in two ways. In both cases your EasyPlan subscription must be up-to-date. See Downloads for more info.

Option 1 : Downloading the data yourself

1.      Download EasyPlan version 3.030 or later.

2.      Downloaded the DEM data for Southern Africa from the NASA site ftp://e0srp01u.ecs.nasa.gov/srtm/ and unzip, and put it into the c:\Program Files\EasyPlan\EasyPlan3\Dem folder. EasyPlan will automatically look for data in this folder. Note that the “Read only” flag must be clear.
[Note: It has come to my attention that the link has changed or the data is not available at the moment. Will let you know when I have more info]

Option 2 : Ordering from EasyPlan

Alternatively a CD is available for R200 (including VAT and postage to an address in SA) with the latest Version of EasyPlan and the Hi Resolution digital elevation data. The area covered is the whole of Southern Africa below 5 deg south.

PC Requirements for Hi-res data

The following PC specifications are recommended as a minimum:

  • 2 GHz Pentium
  • 2 GB free disk space
  • 256 Meg RAM
  • Display 1024x768 16 bit colour
  • Windows 98, NT, ME, 2000 or XP

Hi-Res data not displaying?

*      The files should be in c:\Program Files\EasyPlan\EasyPlan3\Dem

*      They must be unzipped and have a “.hgt” extension

*      Files must have the "Read Only" flag cleared.

*      You must be using EasyPlan version 3.030 or later

*      Enable "Hi Definition Elevation" in "Units & Preferences" "Map"

*      Move the slider on the map page to about the middle

*      The file name refers to the bottom left corner of the block

*      You need only download and unzip the tiles covering the area of interest