errors importing DEM

Old, archived SketchUp forum thread, with a some DEM import tips.

Hi. I have followed the advice of many who have posted here already and converted my DEM to .dem format with 3dem. When I try to import it into SU though, I get an error message. It just says Errors: however; it doesn't list any. I can't upload the DEM because it is too big--121 MB. Is this maybe the reason for the failure? Any other ideas?

nathan.mosurinjohn

TaffGoch

8/26/08

Nathan,

It is indeed likely that the size is the problem. I use DEMs quite frequently...

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/search.html?q=taff+goch+dem&rsi=sbis&backendClass=entity

...but I find that I have to reduce the DEM size by using TerraGen. A SketchUp model covering the expanse of a topographic map is extremely large and taxing. Either 'crop' your data to the portion of the map you need, or sub-sample the DEM data (both can be done with TerraGen.)

I also recommend that the data from TerraGen be exported as a DXF, as it provides a more-orderly TIN mesh. (You need TerrraGen plugins to export DXF.) TerraGen and plugins are free to download. The resulting DXF imports into SketchUp nicely.

http://www.planetside.co.uk/terragen/

http://www.planetside.co.uk/terragen/resources.shtml

("For Export Only")

Regards,

Taff