Vannin

User:JaneVannin/translations/topographic 1
User:JaneVannin/translations/topographic
Introductory notes
The aim of this tutorial is to show how to create a vector graphics topographic map from DEMs resulting from
NASA's Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) by using the GIS programs 3DEM [1] andGRASS GIS.
There are several advantages in using
DEMs from the SRTM in that the data
are free (in the public domain), are
freely accessible on NASA's website,
are precise (to a resolution of 31 m at
the equator), cover practically all
inhabited land surfaces (80% of
emerged terrain), and come from a
reliable source. There is also less
chance of making an error in, for
example, a contour line trace than from
one produced from a scanned map;
digitally produced maps are easier to
make than hand-drawn ones, and
above all for the ends of Wikipedia,
the data are instantly accessible to all,
saving a huge amount of time in
documentary research for freely reusable sources. It is also worth noticing that the maps are in "SVG" format,
(except for relief shading images), which can be used at any size without loss of quality.
Those interested in a map produced more simply and in bitmap format can consult the bitmap relief map creation
tutorial.
GRASS GIS does not allow the re-projection of a map "on the fly": each map project is precisely defined from its
creation (geographical localisation, resolution, projection etc) and may not be modified afterwards. On the other
hand it is not possible to import a DEM into a project if the projections are not the same, which obliges us to first
create a project using the native projection of the DEM and then a second in the projection which will be used during
the final map.
The creation of this type of map is comprised of various stages, but the process is quite simple:
• Fusion of the DEMs and filling in of voids[2] in 3DEM;
• Creation of a project using the native projection of the DEMs and importation of the map into GRASS;
• Creation of a second project using a UTM projection and re-projection of the map;
• Extraction of the altitude segments;
• Vectorisation of each segment of altitude in Inkscape;
• Importation of the coastal map;
• Reframing of the map;
• Colorisation of each level;
• Creation and integration of the map of optimized relief shading;
• Creation and integration of the bathymetry map;
• Finalisation of the map with the latitude and longitude grids and scales.
In addition, this page also shows how

to modify the resulting map to produce
a thematic topographical map.
The tools
• 3DEM [1] (version used: 20.3): free
and easy to use GIS editor with
which the SRTM voids will be
filled;
or:
• GRASS GIS official site [3] (version
used: winGRASS 6.3.0RC6): free
powerful multi platform GIS
program used to edit the digital
elevation models (DEMs) and
extract from them the altitude Simulated example of geological topographical map of the Falkland Islands
segments together with the SRTM

Water Body Data (SWBD) which are in "shapefile" vector format. These latter contain the corrected trace of the
coastlines[4] , and the lakes and watercourses of a certain size which will complete the map;
• GIMP (version used: 2.4.5): bitmap editor which allows optimization of relief shading
• Inkscape (version used: 0.46): SVG editor with which the DEM and SWBD data will be vectorised.
Remarks:
• This tutorial presents the most rapid method for creating the initial map by using 3DEM which is not designed
for other than 32 bit Microsoft Windows platforms. Editors using another operating system can load SRTM
files into GRASS GIS and fill the voids using its r.fillnulls module.
• It is possible to use 3DEM to create and directly extract each altitude segment using a UTM projection, but
during tests this program was shown to introduce reasonably large errors into altitudes during the
re-projection which makes it unsuitable for this task.
Additional tools for the bathymetric map

• Demis Mapper[5] (download page [6]): free trial version of the program allowing viewing of the Demis world
map;
• Demis World Map Data (download page [7] - 502 Mb): world map presenting the same data as Map Clip or their
add-on for NASA World Wind with the possibility of choosing visible layers.
Data sources
For other available resources, consult Wikipedia Map resources
• NASA Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) DTMs:
These are the files released into the public domain, compressed into .zip format, which contain the digital
topographic data of the region considered. The zone covered by the DEMs resulting from the SRTM extend
from latitude 56° South to latitude 60° North. These files must be decompressed before being used in 3DEM.
There are three SRTM file types:
• SRTM1 (download here [8]): the most precise data with a resolution of one arcsecond (31 m at the equator),
but which are only available for the United States and its dependencies. Each file represents a rectangle of a
degree of an arc to a side referenced according to the coordinates of the bottom left corner.[9] .
• SRTM3 (download here [10]): a precision of three arcseconds (93 m at the equator) which covers all emerged
land between the latitudes indicated above. Filetypes and references identical to SRTM1. These are the
datasets which will be of most use for the needs of Wikipedia.
• SRTM30 (download here [11]): a precision of 30 arcseconds (926 m at the equator), adapted for maps covering
more than one country or a continent.
Each map covers a region of 50° of latitude by 40° of longitude, referenced according to the coordinates
of the upper left corner. Each map is contained in a specific folder which contains 12 separate files.
Only 10 of these will be of use to us; the remaining files *.jpg.zip and *.gif.zip are just
preview files. These 10 files must each be downloaded and decompressed before being used in 3DEM.
In the program, select the GTOPO30 Tile option, then in the new window representing the map of
the world, centre the frame on the region of interest and specify a Lat/Lon projection. Navigate
through the menu and select the .DEM file.
• NASA SRTM Water Body Data (SWBD) (download page [12]) : complementary files to the SRTM containing the
precise outline of coasts, lakes and watercourses of a certain size
Creation of the map from the Digital Elevation Models
Preparation of the map in 3DEM

1. Download the necessary SRTM files, and uncompress them.
2. Open 3DEM. Click on File -> Load Terrain Model (1).
Select the SRTM Data option (2) and then in the new
window all of the < .hgt > files. Confirm with Open.
3. As the DEM contains pixels without information[2] , it is

necessary to fill them. GRASS GIS which will be used later
can cope with this operation, but it seems to be tricky to
handle and takes a lot of time to complete. For reasons of
rapidity we will thus carry out this function in 3DEM which
produces a rapid and satisfactory result for the needs of
Wikipedia, except for cases where the zones without data
are very large. Press F7 and select the whole map with the
mouse (1). Confirm with the ENTER key. 3DEM fills in
these pixels by interpolating the values from adjacent pixels
(2). If the map is very large and 3DEM takes too long to
carry out these calculations, close the program and start again by selecting a smaller area.
4. Export the map in Geotiff format, which is a standard Tiff

format but georeferenced: File -> Save GeoTiff DEM. Click
on the OK button of the pop up box which appears, and save
the file in the root folder for GRASS projects:
C:\GRASS\GIS DataBase. This means that you have to
import and handle only one map in GRASS, which
simplifies the operation.
5. Re-project the map as a UTM: Operation -> Change

Projection -> Convert to UTM projection. Select the WGS84
option, which is the geodesic system of the SRTM, then
click on OK. This operation is only designed to recover the
information on the edges of the map in metric UTM format,
which are a little tricky to find, not for using the map with
this projection, which contains errors in 3DEM as
mentioned above.
6. Check the UTM coordinates of the map which will then

be used in the creation of the project in GRASS: Operation
-> Show DEM Specs. In the dialogue window which then
opens, note the UTM zone of the map ((< 21S > – South –
in our example) and the values of the East and North limits.
• A world map of UTM zones is available on Commons;
• You can also convert geographic coordinates to UTM by
using an online tool such as that offered by Digital Mapping
Solutions [13] ;
• Our example (the Falkland Islands) is special because the
map is on the cusp of the 20 and 21 South UTM zones.
3DEM in this precise case permits the re-projection as a UTM even though in general that would not be the
case when the map covers several zones. Here this facilitates enormously the determination of the map limits
which will be necessary during the creation of the project as a UTM in GRASS.
7. Press F6 and move the cursor so that the map size in

pixels is the same as that of the final map. Confirm with OK.
8. Save a preview of this map which will act as a reference

to trace the coordinate grid: File -> Save Map Image and
select jpeg format. Once this is done, you can close 3DEM.
9. If your map covers more than one UTM zone and 3DEM
cannot re-project it as a UTM, reopen your map and, only
selecting the DEM of the central zone or which contains the
most data, proceed with the re-projection. Check the UTM
coordinates of this portion of the map, note them, then close
3DEM.
• Important note regarding UTM coordinates: UTM

coordinates are not linear from one zone to another: the
coordinates of the eastern limit of one zone do not
correspond to those of the western limit of the next zone to
the right because the point of reference of each map is
unique to itself (for more detail, see Universal Transverse Mercator). If the map covers several UTM zones one
cannot therefore directly use the Digital Mapping Solutions coordinate transformation tool as it will give a
result only for the zone in which the considered point is to be found.
• A very simple and rapid method for working out approximately the coordinates of the whole map consists of
adding (if it overlaps the main zone to the east) to the largest value or subtracting (if the overlap of the main
zone is to the west) to the smallest value the length on the ground of a degree of an arc at the Equator, for each
degree (and thus each SRTM file) which overlaps.
• Knowing that a nautical mile which has a length of 1,852 m effectively corresponds to the length of an arc
minute at the Equator, a degree of this grand circle will have a length near to 1,852 x 60 = 111,120 m. It is this
value that we will add or subtract to the coordinates of the part of the map covering more than one UTM zone
for each degree which overlaps.
• Example: Let us suppose that we have a map extending from 17°E to 26°E (regardless of latitude), thus 1° in
the 33 zone, 6° in the 34 zone (all of its width) and 2° in the 35 zone.
By only selecting in 3DEM the SRTM of zone 34 (which is our main zone) and by re-projecting this
part of the map as a UTM, we can see in Operation -> Show DEM Specs the coordinates East:
< 240120 > and< 759690 >.
The map completely overlapping by a degree to the West, we can subtract 111,120 m from 240120,
which gives 129000. To the East, the map overlaps by two degrees, so we add
2 x 111,120 m =222,240 m to 759690 which gives 981930. These are the two values which will be
specified for the westerly and easterly limits during the creation of the project of this map as a UTM in
GRASS.
The zone for the map in GRASS will certainly be too wide because the more one increases in latitude,
the shorter is the length on the ground of a degree of an arc, but this is not important.
Creation of the Lat/Lon project for the map in GRASS GIS

10. Start GRASS GIS in Old TclTk GUI and click on the
Projection values button to create a new project in the native
projection of the map (Lat/Lon).
11. In the new DOS window, enter a name (without accents

or special characters) for your project (=map) in the
LOCATION: field (in our example, the Falkland
Islands). The MAPSET: will be PERMANENT and the
DATABASE: the root file containing all of the projects
(C:\GRASS\GIS DataBase by default for GRASS
version 6.3RC6). Press the ENTER button, then ESC and
ENTER again to continue.
12. Confirm the creation of the project (location) with

ENTER.
13. Various data will be necessary for GRASS to parameter

your project (cartographic projection, geographical limits of
the map, etc). Collect or check this information then press
ENTER.
14. Projection of the map. For a map resulting from the

SRTM as in our example, it is Latitude-Longitude which is
their native projection. If you use these DEMs, press B then
ENTER and confirm again with ENTER.
15. Give a short description of the subject of your map then

press ENTER and confirm again with ENTER.
16. GRASS will ask if you would like to specify a geodesic

system for your project. If you use the DEMs from the
SRTM, press ENTER, enter wgs84 and press ENTER
again.
NOTE: you can also see a list of all available systems by
entering list and then pressing the ENTER key.
17. GRASS asks you to select the transformation parameters

for the geodesic system. Enter list and press ENTER. For
WGS84, the only option available is < 1 >. Enter this figure
and press ENTER.
18. Enter the values in degrees of the North, South, East and
West limits of the zone covered by your map. Press ENTER
to change field.
Opposite, the fields filled in for the example of the Falkland
Islands which extend from 53°S to 50°S and from 062°W to
057°W.
19. GRID RESOLUTION: the two fields represent the
desired resolution in pixels for the map. In the case of SRTM3, the native resolution is 3 arc seconds (1 arc
second for the SRTM1 data covering the United States). These values can be entered in decimal form
(0.00XX) or sexagesimal (0:00:XX) which is the most practical in our case. For a map using the DEMS of
SRTM3 at their native resolution, enter the value 00:00:03 (corresponding to 0 deg. 0 min. 03 sec.) for
each field. Confirm all of the values with ESC then ENTER. GRASS reconfirms the values you have entered.
If you are happy with these, press ENTER.
In the example on the right below one can check that the native resolution of the SRTM3 DEMs has been
specified: the map extending over 5° of width and 3° of height, its size in pixels is, as it should be, 5 x 1,200 by
3 x 1,200 (1,200px x 1,200px being the native size of an SRTM3[14]
Entering the resolution Confirmation of the information
20. GRASS confirms that it has created LOCATION

(Falkland_Islands in our example). Press ENTER,
which will take you back to the initial state of the DOS
window. Press ESC then ENTER to confirm all and close
this DOS window.
21. You will now see again the graphic interface window
with, in the field Project Location the folder you have just
created (Falkland_Islands in our example). By
clicking on this name, you will see in the Accessible
Mapsets field the subfolder PERMANENT which has been
created. Select it. The grey button Enter GRASS on the
left at the bottom of the window will then become green and
active. Click on it to enter GRASS.
Importing the map into GRASS GIS

22. Import the GeoTiff map in GRASS format: select File ->
Import raster map -> Multiple formats using GDAL. A
window r.in.gdal specific to the module opens.
23. Select the Required tab(1). Click on the folder button (2)
and navigate through the menu to select the GeoTiff map
created in 3DEM which can be found in the
C:\GRASS\GIS DataBase folder. Enter a name for the
map in the field Name for output raster map (3).
24. Click on the Run button to start the import which is

detailed in the Output - GIS.m window. When the import
process is finished, close the module window and exit
GRASS.
Creation of the UTM project for the map in GRASS GIS

25. Open GRASS again and click on the Projection values
button to create a new project using a UTM projection.
26. Enter a specific name for the project (LOCATION). The

most practical is to reuse the name of the Lat/Lon project
created previously and to add _UTM at the end. Press
ENTER then ESC and again ENTER.
27. Confirm the creation of the project with ENTER.

28. Continue by pressing ENTER.
29. For the projection, press C (UTM) then ENTER twice.
30. Give a short description of the project and press ENTER

three times.
31. For the geodesic system, enter wgs84 once again and
then press ENTER.
32. For the transformation parameters, press 1 and press

ENTER.
33. Select the hemisphere in which the map is situated by

typing y or n and then ENTER.
34. Enter the number of the UTM zone of the map and then
press ENTER.
35. Enter the metric UTM coordinates of the map indicated

by 3DEM in step <6;> or calculated in step <9> if the map
covers more than one UTM zone. Press ENTER to change
field.
36. GRID RESOLUTION: enter the resolution in metres by

pixel required for the map. For a native SRTM3 resolution,
enter 93. Enter 186 for a resolution and thus a map twice
as small. Confirm your choices with ENTER then ESC and
again with ENTER.
37. On the following page, check the confirmation of the

data, in particular the size in pixels (number of rows and
cols) of the map, then enter y and ENTER to confirm the
choices.
38. The project (LOCATION) has now been created. Press

ENTER to return to the initial DOS screen then ESC and
ENTER again to close this window.
39. You will see the startup window of GRASS again with,
in the field Project Location, the name of the folder which
has just been created (Falkland_Islands_UTM in our
example). Click on this then on PERMANENT in the field
Accessible Mapsets and finally on the Enter GRASS button
to enter the program.
Re-projection of the map

40. In the GIS manager window of GRASS, go into Raster
-> Develop map -> Re-project. In the new window of the
r.proj module, enter into the Name of input raster map to
re-project field, the name of the map previously treated in
step < 23 >. In Location of input raster map:, enter the name
of the project using the projection Lat/Lon which is the
place where the source map is to be found. In Name for
output raster map, enter the name of the map, adding _UTM
to differentiate it from the first. When the process is finished
(indicated by « r.proj complete » in the Output - GIS.m
window) close the r.proj module window.
41. In the main window, create a bitmap layer (click the

button Add raster layer) then click on the button to the right
of Base map: and select the map which has just been
re-projected.
42. In the Map Display 1 window, click on the first button,

Display active layers to preview the map.
43. You can change the default colours by going in the main
window into the menu Raster -> Manage map colors ->
Color tables which opens the r.colors module window. Go
into the Required tab, and click on the coloured button then
select your map.
44. On the Colors tab, select, for example, < srtm > from the
Type of color table: drop down menu. Click on the Run
button then close this module window.
45. To view these modifications, click on the second button,

Redraw all layers in the Map Display 1 window.
46. Add a linear scale by clicking on the Scalebar and north

arrow button in the main window: this permits the creation
of the scale in the final map. Refresh the map. Save a
preview of this map with the scale (the scale is not
integrated into the map when exported with the
r.out.png module) by clicking in the Map Display 1
window on the button representing a diskette, then on JPG
-> very high resolution. Save the image, for example, under
the name View_topo_GRASS_scale (saved by default
in the C:\GRASS folder).
47. Export the bitmap map: go into File -> Export raster
map -> PNG. In the exportation module window, click on
the button in the field Raster file to be converted: and select
your map. In the field Name for new PNG file, replace
<rasterfilename> with < View_topo_GRASS > then click
Run. Your image will be stored by default in the root folder
of the program: C:\GRASS. Keep the module open.
Extraction of the altitude segments

This section explains how to extract the altitude segments which
will be vectorised in Inkscape in order to create a vectorial
topographic map. If you want to create a map with the same appearance but as a bitmap, consult the last part of this
section.
1. Determination of the number of contour lines which will
be represented on the map. For this, you will need the
altitude information from the DEM: in the main window,
click on the button with a large blue < i > to the right of the
name of the map. In the < Output - GIS.m > window,
various information appears regarding the DEM, in
particular its maximum and minimum altitudes. In our
example of an island, only the maximum altitude is relevant
(here: 701 m)[15] .
• Choose, if possible, an interval with a round figure (50, 100,

200 or 250 m, etc). In our example with a relief composed of
hills, an interval of 100 m is the most suitable, necessitating eight altitude segments (0 to 100 m ; 100 to 200 m
; … ; 700 to 800 m)[16] , a reasonable value to clearly represent relief: too few segments will not permit for
correct visualisation of the structure of the relief whilst a number higher than 11 will probably make difficult
their visual separation on the final map.
• For a map showing a coastline, the first altitude segment is the most important because it permits the ready
differentiation of the coastal plains from the first hills. This value is generally around 50 m, or 100 m if the
terrain is particularly accidented. In the example opposite, we will choose 50 m, the following segments being
at 100m, 200m, 300m, etc, which will give us in total nine segments (colours).
2. Open Windows Explorer, go into the folder
C:\GRASS\etc\colors, select the file srtm and edit it
with a text editor, for example OpenOffice.org Writer (avoid
Windows Notepad which does not handle UTF-8 well).
Immediately save this file in .txt format under another
name, for example < Black&White > to avoid modifying the
original file by mistake.
2. Delete the existing text and paste in the following.
-500 white
50 white
50 black
10000 black
Save. This file is a table of colours which can be used for a map. As it is here presented, the table specifies that
for the altitudes from -500 m to +50 m the map will be white and from 50 m to 10 000 m black. The line
< 50 white > produces a distinct colour transition. If this line was not present, the transition would be made
with a gradient of grey like that which may be observed by previewing a map using the srtm colour table. The
value < 50 > indicates that this table will be used to extract the altitude segment from 50 m. Keep the file open.
3. Modify the colorimetric table applied to the map: open
once again the module r.colors (Raster -> Manage map
colors -> Color tables). On the Required tab, select your
map and on the Colors tab, the table < Black&White.txt >
which you have just created. Click on Run to launch the
operation. In the Map Display 1 window, click on the
Redraw all layers button to refresh the display.
4. Export (File -> Export raster map -> PNG) this altitude
segment: specify as PNG the filename < 50_m > then click
on Run.
5. Activate the text file < Black&White > again and replace

the two < 50 > values with < 100 > to extract this altitude
segment. Save the changes.
6. Click on the Run button again in the r.colors module to

apply these modifications, then refresh the view of the map.
Export it with the name < 100_m .png >.
7. Repeat these operations for the remaining altitude
segments. Close GRASS.
Note for the creation of a topographic bitmap map:
Instead of extracting each altitude segment, if we specify for each

of them the colours of the French Wikipedia topographic map
colour convention [17] we get a map with the same appearance as
the final version with clearly distinct colours but in bitmap format
which can then be exported as a whole. To do this, edit the srtm
colour table contained in the C:\GRASS\etc\colors folder
as described above, and replace the original contents with the
following text (example for the Falkland Islands - you can adapt
the altimetric values and the colours to your own map):
-500 172 208 165

0 172 208 165
0.1 172 208 165
50 172 208 165
50 148 191 139
100 148 191 139
100 168 198 143
200 168 198 143

200 189 204 150
300 189 204 150
300 209 215 171
400 209 215 171
400 239 235 192
500 239 235 192
500 222 214 163
600 222 214 163
600 202 185 130
700 202 185 130
700 192 154 83
Save the file in .txt format under a specific name. Apply this new colour table to your map and export it in png
format. The colour of the sea is here the same as that of the first altitude segment to correct the imprecisions of the
line of the coast of the SRTM[4] . The definitive coastline will be realised from the SWBD.
Creation of the SWBD map

Aquatic surface vector mapping tutorial
Vectorisation of the altitude levels

1. In Inkscape, open (CTRL + O) the
View_topo_GRASS.png map: the document
automatically adapts itself to the size of the map.
2. Create new layers, one for each altitude segment, not

forgetting the < Coast > layer, which will contain the map of
emerged terrain (the coastline) resulting from the SWBD.
Move the GRASS map to its layer. At the top of the pile,
create a layer < Legend >.
3. Import the image View_topo_GRASS_scale.jpg
(the one with the scale) into the same layer as the map from
GRASS. Resize the preview to make it coincide with the
main map then move it beneath the latter.
4. Draw in the < Legend > layer an empty rectangle with a

black border of around 2 pixels in line with the frame of the
final map: this will allow both visualisation of the limits of
the map and also the reframing of the DEMs. Lock this layer
and « hide » the layer View topo GRASS.
5. Activate the 50 m layer and import (CTRL + I) the map

50_m.png. Align it on the page (X = 0 - Y = 0).
6. Zoom to 140 % and go into Path -> Trace bitmap In the

new window, select Brightness cutoff (the value of the
cutoff is not important). On the Options tab, for the value of
Suppress speckles, indicate a size of < 5 >[18] ; for Smooth
corners, specify the maximal value of < 1,34 >; for Optimise
paths, a tolerance of < 5,00 >.
7. Click on OK to begin vectorisation of the image.

8. Open Fill and Stroke (SHIFT + CTRL + F) and delete the

fill. On the "Fill" tab', click on the "Flat color" icon and
specify a value for the red of < 255 > for example in order to
obtain a good contrast in comparison to the black and white
image.
9. Open the Inkscape Preferences menu (SHIFT +CTRL +

P). On the "Misc" tab, specify a simplification threshold of
< 0,0001 >[19] . Close this window.
10. Look at the bottom of the window to see the number of
nodes that the path contains and carry out an initial
simplification by pressing < CTRL + L >. Check the path: if
the line becomes distorted and takes on an unnatural
appearance, it is because the threshold of simplification is
too large. In this case, cancel the simplification, reduce the
simplification threshold in Inkscape's preferences, select the
path again and carry out the simplification again. Press <
CTRL + L > again and check the line of the path: continue with the simplification if the contour remains valid
and cancel the simplification if not. An optimal simplification permits a significant reduction in the number of
nodes to the point of producing a file small enough for the Internet whilst at the same time preserving a path
that follows most faithfully the original course of the coast. When a satisfactory result is achieved, select the
bitmap image and delete it. Save the SVG file with a working name.
Scale of a map and simplification of the paths: The native resolution of an SRTM3 is 93 m per pixel at the
equator. By taking as a standard of precision 0,25 mm when the map is printed, the native scale of this type of
DEM is 1:372 000e (see the tutorial Calculation of the scale of a map). If during the simplification of the paths
these do not become distanced from the original trace by more than a pixel, the spatial precision will then be to
two pixels (+/- 1 pixel), or 186 m which equates to a scale of 1:744 000e. It is thus necessary to adapt the
threshold of simplification of the paths as a function of the precision required for the map.
Simplification threshold too high producing a distorted outline Acceptable simplification with a valid outline
11. Activate the < 100 m > layer, import (CTRL + I) the

bitmap image < 100_m.png > and align it on the document
(X = 0 ; Y = 0). Proceed in the same manner to vectorise
this image.
12. Carry out the vectorisation of the other levels, not

forgetting to align the images in the document first because
there is no way of aligning just the path later. Save the
document.
13. Remark relating to the < 700 m > level for the example

opposite: GRASS having found in the DEM a maximal
altitude of 701 m, this level contains very little information.
With the threshold of parasite suppression during
vectorisation set to < 5 >, the operation will not capture any
path. To avoid this, set this parameter to < 0 > before
carrying out the vectorisation.
Integration of the SWBD map

1. Activate the < 700 m > layer and create a < Lakes > layer
above it. « Hide » all of the layers except
< View topo GRASS >, < Coast > and < Legend >.
2. Activate the < Coast > layer and import the SWBD map
created using the Aquatic surface vector mapping tutorial.
This layer usually contains a group of two paths, one for the
coastline and one for the lakes and large rivers. Align it perfectly
above the preview of 3DEM. Increase the zoom to 300 % to verify
this as this stage is extremely important to avoid any discrepancy
between the SWBD map and the different relief levels which
might cause, for example, a lake to appear to be on the slope of a
hill. Save.
3. Ungroup (CTRL + SHIFT + G) the two paths of the
SWBD map (coastline/lakes and rivers). Select only that for
the lakes and rivers and move it to the < Lakes > layer.
Creation of the map with relief shading

Optimizing relief
Reframing the map

Attention - Before turning and reframing the map, it may be useful to import the bathymetry and the different paths
(rivers, frontiers etc) if they were created and re-projected with GRASS. The images are easier to import and align
before the rotation and reframing process!
1. Create a < Shading > layer between the two layers
< 700 m > and < Lakes > and import into it the optimized
image of the shading. Align it in the page then « hide » this
layer.
2. Create a < Preview 3DEM > layer above the < Lakes >

layer and import into it this image (the one with the UTM
projection and the coordinate grid). Align it on the page and
check that it is correctly positioned with regard to the
GRASS map by making it partly transparent. Return the
opacity to < 100% >.
3. Unlock the < Legend > layer. Select the SHIFT + F6

tool and draw a horizontal and/or vertical line by keeping
the CTRL key down so that the line is close to one of the
coordinate lines. This or these line(s) will act as a reference
during the rotation of the layers to make the map aligned (so
that North is vertical at the centre of the map). Lock the
layer again.
4. Check that all of the layers are visible and unlocked. With
the F1 tool activated, select all of the objects contained
within the map (CTRL + ALT + A). Click on the map to
go into Rotation mode.
5. Click on one of the arrows in a corner and turn the map:

the coordinate line and the straight line previously drawn
should merge at the edge of the frame contained in the
< Legend > layer (which stays still because it is locked)
which marks the edges of the final map.
6. When the result is satisfactory, activate the < Legend >
layer, unlock it and delete the straight line which it contains.
Modify the position and/or the dimensions of the frame if
necessary to centre it on the subject. Lock the
< Preview 3DEM > layer and make it invisible.
7. Make the < Lakes > layer invisible: all that remains

visible are the image of the shading and the black frame.
Select the frame and call up the document properties
window. Click on the Fit page to the selection button to
resize the page to the size of the frame. Close the dialogue
window and make the < Legend > layer invisible.
8. Export the reframed image of the shading: press

CTRL + SHIFT + E, check that the Page option is
selected, enter a name for the image (for example
Shading_crop.png and launch the exportation.
9. Close all the layers except for < Coast > layer and fill it
with black. Delete its contour. Export this map, which
represents emerged land surfaces, in PNG format, for
example as < Coast_black.png > and which will be used to
delimit the shaded relief. After the exportation, close the
dialogue window then delete the fill of the path and apply a
contour.
10. If the altitude segment which covers the DEMs overlaps

the frame of the map which you have fixed (as is generally
the case for a continental map), delete the nodes outside this
frame which will otherwise unnecessarily increase the size
of the final file. Carry out this operation for each segment of altitude, and also for the two paths resulting from
the SWBD (the < Coasts > et< Lakes > layers).
The path after vectorisation Deletion of surplus nodes
Colorisation of the map

1. Fill the path of the < Coast > layer with the first green of
the French Wikipedia topographic map colour convention
[17]
(#ACD0A5). Check that the contour is in fact blue
#0978AB and adapt its thickness as a function of the map.
2. « Show » the < 50 m > layer, select the path and fill it with
green according to the colour convention (#94BF8B).
Delete its contour which will otherwise visually overload
the map. Proceed in the same fashion for the other levels.
3. Export a preview of the vectorised and coloured

topographic map (Page option) which will be used to
visualise the effect produced by the shaded relief map.
Integration of the relief shading
Preparation of the map

'1. In GIMP open the preview of the vectorised map which
has just been created. Open the optimized and reframed
shaded relief map (Shading_crop.png) then
Coast_black.png as a layer (CTRL + ALT + O).
2. Activate the shading layer (1) and select the pipette tool
(2). Click on the sea, a lake or a flat zone (3) representing a
plain (extend the Coast_noir.png layer if necessary) to
sample this grey value for the foreground colour.
3. With the Coast_black.png layer active (1), choose

the "Select regions by color" tool (2). Untick the "Feather
edges" option and set the threshold at < 0 >. Select the
transparent zone corresponding to the sea.
4. « Hide » the Coast_black.png layer, activate the

shadow layer and choose Edit -> Clear: this operation
removes all relief features except those of emerged land
because the shading, as with other data from the SRTM
DEMs is affected by imprecisions along coastlines.
Deselect.
5. Go into Colors -> Color to Alpha... [20] (1). Click on the

white rectangle (2). In the new window, click on the button
to the right of the HTML Notation field (3) then on the zone
representing the foreground colour previously defined (4).
Confirm the selection of this grey colour then confirm again
to send this colour to an alpha channel: all the flat zones of
the shadow layer, without relief, become transparent.
6. Once again select the Color to Alpha… tool (1) and this
time specify the colour white (2). Confirm: the whites (ie
illuminated zones) become transparent and all that remains
is the shading which is applied as a "Multiply" fusion.
Proceed in this order: grey then white to alpha channel,
which gives the best results.
7. The shading being too pronounced and Inkscape not

handling the transparency of bitmap images included in a
SVG file, it is necessary to prepare the shading layer before
integrating it into the topographic map. Modify the
transparency of the layer to < 30 % > so that the shading is
both sufficiently visible and emphasizes the relief forms,
whilst at the same time it does not interfere with the
interpretation of different altitude segments.
8. When the result is satisfactory, « Hide » the layer of the

topographic map resulting from Inkscape then go into Image
-> Mode -> Grayscale: the removal of colour information
will save kilobytes in the final map. Save the shading in
PNG format (to retain the transparency), for example under
the name of Shaded_relief_image.png. Quit GIMP.
Integration of the shading into the SVG file

9. Start Inkscape again. Make the < Shading > layer visible,
select the image which it contains and delete it. Import the
semi-transparent Shaded_relief_image.png image,
which has just been created and align it in the document.
10. Incorporate this bitmap image into the document, which

will permit it to be displayed correctly in Wikipedia: go into
Effects -> Images -> Embed all images'. In the new window,
tick the Embed only the selected images' option (in order to
avoid incorporating the previews of GRASS and 3DEM
which are currently hidden), then confirm. Save.
Creation of the bathymetric map

For the detailed article, see the Topographic map bathymetry
tutorial
Completion of the map

1. If the bathymetry has been created in a separate
document, activate the < Coast > layer and create new
layers, one for each segment of depth, to place above each
other (the deepest segment on top of the pile). Import the
bathymetric map created with the tutorial above, align it on
the page, degroup the paths and move each segment within
its layer.
2. Make the < Legend > layer visible in order to see the
frame that it contains. Make the < Preview 3DEM > layer
visible, then create a new layer < Coordinates > above. With
the straight line tool (SHIFT + F6), draw using two points
the segments above the grid of the preview of 3DEM. For
the curved latitude lines, activate the F2 tool, select the two
nodes of the segment and add a new node in the middle (1).
Select only this last node, and then click on the Make
selected nodes symmetric button (2) and move it upwards or
downwards to superimpose it on the grid of the map from
3DEM (3). Add the numerical values of the coordinates at
the borders of the map.
3. Create a distance scale: make the < View topo GRASS >

layer visible and move it just below the < Legend > layer.
Select the main displayed map and move it to the bottom of
the pile to see the preview
View_topo_GRASS_scale.jpg (with the kilometric
scale) which was placed below. Activate the < Legend >
layer and draw straight lines (SHIFT + F6) to copy this
scale. Also add an equivalence in miles to facilitate
international use. Combine (CTRL + K) all of the segments
to transform the scale into a single path. Add the numerical
values corresponding to each index.
To produce a scale in miles reasonably easily, move the kilometric scale so that it is aligned with the edge of
the page (X = 0). With the F1 tool, select, for example, the 100 km point and from the Position X field, read
the value of its position in pixels.
Knowing that 1 mile = 1,609 km (approximate value), if the 100 km point is placed at 200px, you can
say that you need to position the 100 mile point at 200 x 1,609 = 321,8px.
4. Finally, create an altimetric scale by filling in the
different boxes with the colours used in your map. Save.
Remember to delete the < View topo GRASS > and
< Preview 3DEM > layers before importing the map into
Wikipedia.
The map is now ready to receive additional data (rivers, frontiers,
towns, roads, geodesic points etc). For these operations, see the
relevant tutorial.
Thematic topographic maps

Another use for the topographic vector graphics map which has just been created, and which requires very little
modification to produce, is a "thematic topographic map".
In cases where the topography is not the main subject but where the determination of the levels of altitude is
essential, a map showing altitude levels with a colour code is unuseable because any further coloured layer
representing the thematic zone, even one which is partially transparent, would render the map unreadable. To
produce this type of map, we will employ the flexibility of the SVG format and keep only the contour lines, reserving
colours for the thematic zones.

The domains which may require thematic topographic maps are diverse: climatology, geology, hydrography,
vegetation distribution, human geography, etc.
1. Open the topographic vector graphics map in Inkscape.
Select the path of the < Coast > layer, and fill it with white.
For each of the other levels, delete the fill colour and choose
a black contour. The contours having by default a thickness
of one pixel, reduce this value to around < 0,500 >
depending on your map in order that the paths are visible but
do not take over the map.
2. « Hide » all of the altitude level layers except for that of

the emerged terrain. Create above this a < Thematic > layer.
Duplicate the path of the coast and place it in this layer.
Delete its fill colour.
3. Import the thematic bitmap map which you are going to
use as a reference. Reduce its opacity and resize it to
position it correctly above the path of emerged terrain.
4. Draw the paths delimiting the thematic zones. For those
adjacent to the coastline, duplicate the path < Coast >,
combine it with that of the zone, then delete the unused
coastline nodes.
For the detailed article, see the map coloration by zones tutorial
5. Finish the map by deleting the contours and by filling the
thematic zones with colour. If required, add along each
contour line the corresponding altitude value.
Digital cartography tutorials
Geographic vector mapping - Bitmap relief mapping - Topographic vector mapping
Aquatic surface vector mapping - Optimizing relief - Integration of complementary data
Wikipedia map creation resources - Standard cartographic conventions

Graphic Lab (request map creation)
Notes
[1] http:/ / www. visualizationsoftware. com/ 3dem. html
[2] One of the problems with SRTM files is that, in spite of the fact that practically all emerged terrain has been overflown at least twice, certain
zones have remained hidden from the oblique radar ray due to the sharply accidented relief, giving rise to voids in the map information.
[3] http:/ / grass. itc. it
[4] A defect of SRTM files is their lack of precision in coastal areas, particularly as a result of wave action which can produce a false radar
reading. The SRTM Water Body Data (SWBD) files provided by NASA are intended to resolve this problem.
[5] Demis Mapper only works on Windows 95 or higher (Windows NT 4.0 or higher recommended).
[6] http:/ / support. demis. nl/ files/ folders/ demiswms/ entry2081. aspx
[7] http:/ / support. demis. nl/ files/ folders/ demiswms/ entry1333. aspx
[8] http:/ / dds. cr. usgs. gov/ srtm/ version2_1/ SRTM1/
[9] Example: the file N48E001.hgt.zip, (decompressed: N48E001.hgt), covers the zone between the 48° and 49° North and 001° and 002° East.
[12] http:/ / dds. cr. usgs. gov/ srtm/ version2_1/ SWBD/
[13] http:/ / www. digitalmappingsolutions. com/ utm-geographic-coordinate-conversion-tool
[14] In reality 1,201px x 1,201px, but the reference of SRTMs being placed at the centre of each pixel, a half-pixel each side is lost.
[15] The DEMs are not exact to the nearest metre. Therefore the highest value found may differ from that which you may already know from
topographic reference maps. In the example shown by the screen capture, GRASS has found in the DEM a maximum altitude of 701 m. In
reality, the highest summit of the Falkland Islands is Mount Usborne at 705 m.
[16] This example is a special case with its maximum altitude established at 701 m in the DEM, a level which will carry very little information.
[17] http:/ / fr. wikipedia. org/ wiki/ Aide:Cartographie#Carte_topographique|
[18] Variable figure depending on your map.
[19] Variable figure depending on the number of nodes on the path. Try different values to see which is the most suitable.
[20] For older versions of GIMP, go into Filters -> Colors -> Color to Alpha....
Sources
This article incorporates information from the equivalent article on the French Wikipedia.
Article Sources and Contributors 34
Article Sources and Contributors

User:JaneVannin/translations/topographic Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=325160270 Contributors: Alan Liefting, JaneVannin, Matthewedwards, Mdzafri, Yug, 2
anonymous edits
Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors

Image:Tutorial_vector_topo_map_90.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Tutorial_vector_topo_map_90.jpg License: GNU General Public License Contributors:
User:Sting
User:Sting
Image:Tutorial_vector_topo_map_01.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Tutorial_vector_topo_map_01.jpg License: unknown Contributors: User:Sting
Image:Tutorial_raster_topo_map_08.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Tutorial_raster_topo_map_08.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2.5
Contributors: User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
Image:Tutorial_vector_topo_map_17a.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Tutorial_vector_topo_map_17a.jpg License: GNU General Public License Contributors:
User:Sting
Image:Tutorial_vector_topo_map_17b.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Tutorial_vector_topo_map_17b.jpg License: GNU General Public License Contributors:
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors 35

User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
Image:Tutorial_vector_topo_map_46.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Tutorial_vector_topo_map_46.jpg License: GNU Lesser General Public License
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
Image:Gtk-dialog-info.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Gtk-dialog-info.svg License: GNU Lesser General Public License Contributors: David Vignoni
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors 36

User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
User:Sting
Image:Noia 64 apps emacs.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Noia_64_apps_emacs.svg License: GNU Lesser General Public License Contributors: AVRS,
Cerveaugenie, Liquid 2003, Rocket000, Sven, TFCforever, XcepticZP, Yug
Image:Gnome-globe.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Gnome-globe.svg License: GNU Lesser General Public License Contributors: David Vignoni
License
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
http:/ / creativecommons. org/ licenses/ by-sa/ 3. 0/

Vannin

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Vannin

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

User:JaneVannin/translations/topographic 1

In addition, this page also shows how

segments together with the SRTM

Additional tools for the bathymetric map

Creation of the map from the Digital Elevation Models

Preparation of the map in 3DEM

3. As the DEM contains pixels without information[2] , it is

4. Export the map in Geotiff format, which is a standard Tiff

5. Re-project the map as a UTM: Operation -> Change

6. Check the UTM coordinates of the map which will then

7. Press F6 and move the cursor so that the map size in

8. Save a preview of this map which will act as a reference

• Important note regarding UTM coordinates: UTM

Creation of the Lat/Lon project for the map in GRASS GIS

11. In the new DOS window, enter a name (without accents

12. Confirm the creation of the project (location) with

13. Various data will be necessary for GRASS to parameter

14. Projection of the map. For a map resulting from the

15. Give a short description of the subject of your map then

16. GRASS will ask if you would like to specify a geodesic

17. GRASS asks you to select the transformation parameters

Entering the resolution Confirmation of the information

20. GRASS confirms that it has created LOCATION

Importing the map into GRASS GIS

24. Click on the Run button to start the import which is

Creation of the UTM project for the map in GRASS GIS

26. Enter a specific name for the project (LOCATION). The

27. Confirm the creation of the project with ENTER.

28. Continue by pressing ENTER.

29. For the projection, press C (UTM) then ENTER twice.

30. Give a short description of the project and press ENTER

32. For the transformation parameters, press 1 and press

33. Select the hemisphere in which the map is situated by

35. Enter the metric UTM coordinates of the map indicated

36. GRID RESOLUTION: enter the resolution in metres by

37. On the following page, check the confirmation of the

38. The project (LOCATION) has now been created. Press

Re-projection of the map

41. In the main window, create a bitmap layer (click the

42. In the Map Display 1 window, click on the first button,

45. To view these modifications, click on the second button,

46. Add a linear scale by clicking on the Scalebar and north

Extraction of the altitude segments

• Choose, if possible, an interval with a round figure (50, 100,

2. Delete the existing text and paste in the following.

5. Activate the text file < Black&White > again and replace

6. Click on the Run button again in the r.colors module to

Note for the creation of a topographic bitmap map:

Instead of extracting each altitude segment, if we specify for each

-500 172 208 165

200 168 198 143

Creation of the SWBD map

Vectorisation of the altitude levels

2. Create new layers, one for each altitude segment, not

4. Draw in the < Legend > layer an empty rectangle with a

5. Activate the 50 m layer and import (CTRL + I) the map

6. Zoom to 140 % and go into Path -> Trace bitmap In the

7. Click on OK to begin vectorisation of the image.

8. Open Fill and Stroke (SHIFT + CTRL + F) and delete the

9. Open the Inkscape Preferences menu (SHIFT +CTRL +

11. Activate the < 100 m > layer, import (CTRL + I) the

12. Carry out the vectorisation of the other levels, not

13. Remark relating to the < 700 m > level for the example