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Tutorial:
DTM from Scratch

Start

• Start SimuTerra, or choose File > New so as to have an empty, untitled, 2D window.

Create data

• Select the Point Tool (a red tool in the shape of a plus sign).

• Click in four spots in the window, forming an approximate square.

• Click in the middle of the square; this will be the apex of a pyramid.

• Select the Selection Tool (the topmost tool, depicted as an arrow).

This is to avoid adding more points inadvertently later on.

Create DTM

• Choose Edit > Select All.

All contents of the document will be selected.

• Choose DTM > Create DTM.

A DTM will be created and displayed, representing the existing terrain. Only one contour line will appear, representing elevation zero, since all data is by default at elevation 0.0.

Create 3D view

• Choose Window > New Window.

A new window will be created; it will look identical to the window which you had just been working in.

• While the new window is frontmost, choose View > Display in 3D.

The contents will be displayed in 3D. Since the terrain is still all horizontal, this won’t be very impressive looking.

• Drag the new window to the right.

This is so that you can see the contents of both windows simultaneously.

Edit data

• Click the first window.

The original window (with the 2D view) will come to the front.

• Click in white space.

This is so as to deselect all objects. If the Point Tool were still active at this time, you would end up with an additional point. You could then choose Edit > Undo, then click on the Selection Tool in the Tool Palette.

• Select the Raise Tool (the green tool which is depicted as a vertical double-headed arrow).

• Drag the middle point (the apex of the pyramid) up and down.

This tool causes vertical mouse movements to raise and lower the selected point. Only the z value changes; the point will not move within the x-y (horizontal) plane. You can see contour lines appearing and changing in the 2D view, and the pyramid inflating and deflating in the 3D view.

• Select the Drag Tool (the green tool which as depicted as a horizontal double-headed arrow).

• Drag a point around.

You will see both views of the DTM change as the point moves horizontally.

• Choose Edit > Select All.

All contents of the document will be selected.

• Select the Rotate Tool (the green tool which as depicted as a curved double-headed arrow).

• Press anywhere in the 2D window and drag up and down.

The entire DTM will rotate about the point where you first pressed. It actually doesn't matter if the DTM is selected. Rather, since the points are selected, their movement causes the DTM to be recalculated.

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