Quickstart with the ETOPO30 Files for VistaPro 4

These files were created from USGS ETOPO30 files so that VistaPro 4 
(Window 95) users can access them.  In summary the files are in the 
following format:

1) Twenty Seven directories cover the world, the name of which 
specifies the upper left corner Latitude/Longitude of the data in the 
directory. Each directory covers 40 degrees latitude and 50 degrees 
longitude. These are divided over 2 CD-R's.
2) Each directory contains individual files divided into 5 columns and 6 
rows, each containing 1026 x 1026 elements, a HUGE VistaPro 
landscape.  Each file is a binary elevation file (DEMxx.bin) readable by 
VistaPro and is 2 MB in size. (They are not in the proprietary VistaPro format however.)
3) Each file represents 8.55 degrees Latitude and 8.55 degrees 
Longitude (as a result of dividing the original 57 MB DEM file into 30 
pieces)
4) Column 5 and Row 6 of each Directory are 1026 x 1026 elements 
in size but contain less data.  (The orginal files do not divide evenly 
into 1026)
5) There is NO overlapping data in the files.
6) Files that contain no data (as in the ocean) are missing from the disk
but the file numbering includes these files. This saves CD-ROM space.
7)The entire global dataset has been reformated onto 2 discs as follows (the political designations are only 
approximate, see the graphics file CDS.PCX for the actual assignment of files to each CD-R.):

CD 1W - Americas , including Alaska,Eastern Asia, Eastern Russia,Middle East, Indonesia, Pacific

CD 2W - Europe and Africa, Western Russia and western Asia, Antarctica polar projection

The W in the CD name refers to Windows compatiblity (as opposed to the Macintosh).

The Directorys on this CD are:

DOCS - information on the creation and format of these files.
IMAGES - Index maps, and a sample image
INDEXES - Text indexes specifying the starting LAT/Long of each file
RMDP - Rocky Mountain Digital Peeks product descriptions and license

Data Directorys in binary elevation format containing each of the
data files for each tile, and the index maps in .PCX format.

To use these files in VistaPro 4:

-- Getting Started with VistaPro 4

1) Load VistaPro 4
2) Select OPEN Region, then select HUGE, then cancel file dialog.
3) Select the option to IMPORT  binary elevation data.
4) Select the Directory containing your desired file.
5) Import the DEMxx.bin file that contains the desired area. (consult the 
Lat/Long INDEXn or .PCX map for the correct number (xx). The map is in the
directory for the appropriate tile. )
6) Assign the height as 1026 and the length as 1026, no header (0) 
and select don't eliminate steps.
7) You must adjust the grid spacing parameter to a reasonable value 
(see note below)
8) adjust camera and other parameters and then render!

The default grid spacing for VistaPro 4 is 30 meters.  The elements in these 
files are spaced  928 meters (~1 km) at the equator (in the east-west 
direction) and 921 meters in the north/south direction.  Use this 
chart and your own taste to adjust the VistaPro Sample Spacing 
(under Landscape Manipulations). 

Latitude      Ground distance (meters) (degrees)         
                  E/W        N/S 

Equator         928        921   
10              914        922   
20              872        923   
30              804        924   
40              712        925   
50              598        927   
60              465        929   
70              318        930   
73              272        930   
78              193        930   
82              130        931

You may find that the best way to view these
files is from a high elevation looking down on them from above.

Additional information about these files can be found in the 
GTOP30.DOC or GTOP30.TXT files. You may also view the distribution 
of these files by viewing the .GIF file CDS..GIF and GT30DEM.GIF.

Although the data in these files are in the public domain, you must 
not copy this CD-ROM without permission from Rocky Mountain 
Digital Peeks (purchasing them implies permission), as we worked 
hard to prepare the data in the format required for VistaPro 4.   

Note 1: W140S10 directory is not included because all of its tiles are
over ocean. 

Note 2: the files Network Trash folder, AppleShare PDS, Desktop DB and Desktop DF are to be
ignored. They are system files used by the Macintosh side of this CD.

Rocky Mountain Digital Peeks http://www.sni.net/malls/rmdp

Documentation Revision 2.0