Digital Terrain Models, DEMs & Contour Mapping

Accurate Terrain Information for Engineering and Development

Every successful engineering project begins with a clear understanding of existing site conditions. Whether planning a commercial development, roadway project, utility installation, drainage improvement, or environmental study, accurate terrain information is essential.

Tex-Air Drone generates high-resolution terrain products derived from survey-grade LiDAR data collected throughout Texas. These deliverables provide engineers, planners, surveyors, and developers with reliable elevation information that supports informed decision-making.

What is a Digital Terrain Model (DTM)?

A Digital Terrain Model represents the bare-earth surface after vegetation, buildings, and above-ground features have been removed from the dataset.

DTMs are commonly used for:

Engineering design
Drainage studies
Roadway planning
Site grading
Land development
Utility design
Flood analysis

Because the model represents the actual terrain, DTMs are often one of the most valuable deliverables produced from a LiDAR project.

What is a Digital Elevation Model (DEM)?

A Digital Elevation Model provides elevation information that can be used within GIS and engineering software.

DEM applications include:

This capability is particularly valuable in:

Site analysis
Watershed modeling
Environmental studies
Infrastructure planning
Resource management
Terrain visualization

DEM products provide a simplified representation of elevation across a project area while maintaining the accuracy necessary for planning and analysis.

What is a Digital Surface Model (DSM)?

Unlike a DTM, a DSM represents everything visible on the surface.

This includes:

Buildings
Trees
Structures
Infrastructure
Ground elevations

DSM datasets are frequently used for visualization, planning, and asset documentation projects.

LiDAR-Derived Contour Mapping

Contour maps remain one of the most widely requested deliverables in surveying, engineering, and land development projects.

Contours provide visual representation of terrain and elevation changes across a site.

Tex-Air Drone can provide:

0.5-foot contours
1-foot contours
2-foot contours
Custom contour intervals

Contour maps may be delivered in formats compatible with CAD and GIS workflows.

Applications for Terrain Models and Contours

LiDAR-derived terrain products support:

Land development
Commercial construction
Transportation projects
Utility design
Watershed studies
Floodplain analysis
Environmental projects
Site grading plans
Existing conditions mapping

Terrain Model Deliverables

Deliverables generated through Rock Pro Services may include:

Digital Terrain Models (DTM)
Digital Elevation Models (DEM)
Digital Surface Models (DSM)
Topographic Contours
Classified Point Clouds
Orthomosaic Imagery

Cross Sections
Terrain Profiles
Colorized Point Clouds
CAD Compatible Deliverables
GIS Compatible Deliverables

FAQ

What is the difference between a DTM and DEM?

Because we utilize high-speed, RTK-stabilized enterprise flight platforms, we can map hundreds of acres of solar arrays in a single day, eliminating the weeks of manual labor required for handheld ground inspections.

What is the difference between a DTM and DSM?

While the cloud portal allows full interactive measurement and annotation, you can export geotagged defect maps.
You can also export CSV files with anomaly coordinates and complete PDF inspection reports.
These files can plug directly into your existing CMMS or O&M workflows.

How are contour maps created from LiDAR?