This small contour mapping application is offered for simple contouring needs.
If precise contours are required to represent surfaces with abrupt slope changes (like ridges, streams or faults) perhaps your time is better spent using another application.
The methodology employed here is to collect all (x,y,z) data points on a single data entry screen.
The (x,y,z) data entry area takes all of your data points at once.
Values may be separated by spaces, commas, tab characters, colons or semicolons.
This should make data entry easy if you can copy and paste from a text file.
The x and y values are assumed to be in a cartesian coordinate system.
Longitude and latitude are NOT valid x and y values.
These should be converted to an appropriate projection.
IMPORTANT: Every data point must have values for all three dimensions. NULL values are not permitted.
Once all (x,y,z) data have been entered, you are offered the opportunity to review the data and correct any problems.
A regular grid of surface data is then constructed by extrapolating from the original (x,y,z) data points.
Default gridding parameters are suggested by the application.
You have the ability to override the default parameters with your own.
Computing the grid can take some time and computer resources. Please be patient.
Once you have computed your grid, you are presented with default contour map display parameters derived from your input and grid data.
You can, and likely should, override the suggested display values to provide the optimal display.
You may find that producing the best map will be an iterative process of adjusting the gridding and display parameters to best represent your spatial data distribution.
Be advised that the gridding process is a statistical estimation of the grid cell z-value.
This is not a triangulation contouring process which will absolutely honor all data points.
As such, there will be instances where a contour appears on the wrong side of a data point.
But for data that are statistical in nature, grids are a reasonable option.
Grids also provide great possibilities for further mathematical operations, transformations and display.
TERMS OF USE: Mt. Tam Technologies makes no warranties for precision, accuracy or appropriateness of this application for your use.
You agree to use it "as is" and will not hold Mt. Tam Technologies liable for any damages.
