Free Download sdts2dem: a Translator for SDTS DEM Files
Sponsors
<-- Free GIS Software & Resources
sdts2dem: a Translator for SDTS DEM Files
The sdts2dem program translates USGS DEM files from SDTS format to "native" format. It is in the public domain and may be freely redistributed. You may:
- Browse the program source code, which includes the revision history: sdts2dem.c
- Download a self-contained executable file for Windows: sdts2dem.exe
- Download the source package for Unix or Windows, including the f123 library: f123.tar.gz or f123.zip
History
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) produces digitally-encoded terrain data in the form of regular grids called "digital elevation models", or DEM files. Several different file formats have been used, culminating in the incredibly complex Spatial Data Transfer Standard, or SDTS.
Sponsors
The adoption of SDTS was a giant step backwards. While previous DEM files could be read by relatively simple programs, SDTS file are difficult to read even with the help of a large external library (which may or may not be available in the language of choice). The late Sol Katz, of the Bureau of Land Management, wrote the sdts2dem program to read SDTS DEM files and produce files in the simpler "native" format. This translation program was a great boon to those who just wanted to read the data without fighting a complex encoding.
In the summer of 2001, changes in the use of SDTS format by the USGS improved the data quality but rendered the sdts2dem program nearly useless. Having a need to convert the new files, I modified the program to handle the format changes and published the new version on the web. There turned out to be a great demand for it and I seem to have become its ongoing caretaker.
Visit the sdts2dem Website.
Sponsors
<-- Free GIS Software & Resources
See Also:
Free ArcGIS Shapefiles, Free Maps, Google Earth & Maps, Free GPS, Satellite and Aerial, GIS Tutorials.
Didn't find what you are looking for? We've been online since 1996 and have created 1000's of pages. Search below and you may find just what you are looking for.
Michael R. Meuser
Data Research & GIS Specialist
MapCruzin.com is an independent firm
specializing in GIS project development and data research.
We created the first U.S. based
interactive toxic chemical facility
maps on the internet in 1996 and we
have been online ever since. Learn more about us and our services.
Have a project in mind? If you have data, GIS project or custom shapefile needs contact Mike.
Contact Us
Report Broken Links
Subscribe for Updates
