Custom 3D Aerial Maps

Custom 3D Aerial Maps

Client:

Hyder Construction, Inc.

Pupose:

Hyder Construction approached DDS to create several display pieces for their Denver main office lobby. The purpose of the maps were to provide oblique views of construction projects Hyder completed in Vail and Beaver Creek, Colorado. .

Processes/Services:

USGS NED and USDA NAIP data were imported into 3D Nature Visual Nature Studio 2 (VNS). Approximately 150% vertical exaggeration was applied and the lighting was moved to an angle that better suited the southerly view in each image. Several low-resolution screen captures of various viewpoints were prepared to present to the client to choose a preferred viewpoint. The client-chosen viewpoints were rendered at 12,000 by 9,000 pixels to TIFF format. The TIFF images were placed in Adobe Illustrator CS for label placement and logo insertion. Proofs of each map were sent to the client to review in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. Upon client approval, the maps were printed on a HP DesignJet 5500 on a 7-mil photo satin paper.

Deliverable to Client:

Hard-copy Map

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USGS Quad Map Vectorization

USGS Quad Map Vectorization

Client:

Penn Virginia Oil & Gas Corporation

Pupose:

Provide Penn Virginia Oil & Gas Corporation with fully vectorized, USGS quads in .dwg format.

Processes/Services:

DDS obtained each quad in the area of interest from the USGS. We then scanned each quad at 400 dpi color to ensure digitizing accuracy. Each quad was georeferenced to the client's specified projection. DDS used a proprietary process to vectorize each entity of the quad in AutoCad, placing each entity on its own layer. These fully editable, vectorized quads are used by field engineers to map out potential areas for well locations.

Deliverable to Client:

ESRI .shp files and AutoCad .dxf files.

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Geologic Maps

Geologic maps and specialty reports
The USGS has published tens of thousands of geologic maps and reports since 1879. These maps are available as single or multiple sheets, many of which are folded and placed in a paper jacket. The majority of these maps are out of print and can only be obtained through borrowing privileges at one of the few USGS libraries across the nation.

The information contained on these maps and in these reports are useful to geologists, oil and gas exploration companies, coal investigators and land use planners.  Geologic maps help delineate fragile habitat and ecosystems, protect against natural hazards, and find needed resources.


Some of the maps/info that DDS has direct access to due to our close proximity to the USGS and special privileges.  

Geologic Quadrangle Maps- The Geologic Quadrangle (GQ) Series has more than 1,700 multicolor maps that show the bedrock, surficial, or engineering geology of selected 7.5- or 15-minute quadrangles in the United States.

Oil and Gas Investigations Maps and Charts- The Oil and Gas Investigations Maps (OM) Series and Charts (OC) Series show the subsurface structure and stratigraphy and surface geology of selected oil and gas fields and of other areas having hydrocarbon potential.

Miscellaneous Investigations Series Maps- The Miscellaneous Investigations (I) Series contains mostly multicolor maps covering diverse topical material such as bedrock and surficial geology, marine geology, mineral and energy resources, and geophysics and geochemistry. The series also includes maps of the Earth's Moon and other planetary bodies, hydrogeology, landforms, earthquake epicenters, map projections, and oblique-view maps.

Coal Investigations Series Maps- The Coal Investigations (C) Series contains multicolor or black-and-white geologic maps that show bedrock geology, stratigraphy, and structural relations of selected coal resource areas of the Nation.

State Geologic Maps- The USGS has compiled multicolor geologic maps in cooperation with about a third of the states. Most other states have prepared and made available their own state geologic maps. Many of these state-published maps are available at the USGS Map Library.

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Topography

Topographic maps are the basis for most Geographic Information Systems (GIS).  The contour information allows for a map user to understand the how the land is layed out.  This can be useful for any number of users.  For individuals this can work to help design trail maps for hiking, biking and backpacking.  For commercial users this can allow to plan developments, mining, and even oil and gas exploration.  Law firms have even ordered these to assist in litigation.

There are many resources available to download these maps that are provided by the United States Geological Survey (USGS).  We provide an online index that allows users to download them for FREE using Google Earth: MapFinder.

We also provide the service of researching older maps directly from the USGS library if a client needs to compare the changes that have occurred in a particular area.  Our Headquarters is conveniently located across the street from the USGS in Denver so this is something we can provide as a convenience for our clients.

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