Creating contours on DEM layers

Contour creation involves several steps that define the way the contours are generated and where the layer is stored. You must specify a name for the contour layer that is generated, the interval for the contours, and the database in which the layer is stored.

Remarque :

You must have the ArcGIS Spatial Analyst extension enabled to perform this task. For information on enabling the ArcGIS Spatial Analyst extension, see Enabling the Spatial Analyst extension.

Remarque :

The smaller the interval, the longer it takes for the contour feature class to be generated, because more contour lines will be created.

Étapes :

1. Start ArcMap.
   Conseil :

   If the ArcMap - Getting Started dialog box appears, you can open a new or existing map document. You can also check the Do not show this dialog box in the future check box and click Open.

2. If necessary, load data in the map.
3. On the main menu, click Customize > Toolbars > Production Contouring.
4. Click the Create Contours button on the Production Contouring toolbar.

   The Create Contours dialog box appears.

   Remarque :

   The Applicable Layers list displays the names of the DEMs that will be used to create contours. A contour feature class is created for each DEM listed. Turn off the visibility of any DEM that you do not want to create contours for using the table of contents.

5. If necessary, type a value in the Base Contour text box.

   The Base Contour value is the height from which all contours are created, both above and below the interval you specify.

6. Type a value in the Contour Interval text box.

The Contour Interval is the frequency in which contours are generated from the DEM.

7. Click the Open button next to the Geodatabase Output field and navigate to the geodatabase you want to use to save your data.
8. Click Open.
9. Click OK.

Conseil :

A new contour layer is generated for each DEM layer. The format of the layer name is root name + parent directory + identification number.