Video Tutorials

OpenTopography Usage Tutorials

Creating a digital elevation model and topographic hillshade:
We show how to make a digital elevation model (DEM) and how to create create a KMZ to display the hillshade on Google Earth or other GIS programs.

Accessing USGS 3DEP data on OpenTopography:
Learn how to access the USGS 3DEP dataset on OpenTopography. Currently, this service is limited to US academics and OT+ subscribers.

Accessing global topography data:
In this video, we show how to access global and regional topographic data, including SRTM and ALOS, and download DEMs and derived visualizations.

Using API Keys to Access OpenTopography’s Global Datasets API:
This video demonstrates how to request and use an API Key for OpenTopography's global datasets API.

Canopy Height Model:
We demonstrate how to produce a canopy height model (CHM), also known as a normalized digital surface model, on-demand on OpenTopography. CHMs are calculated by subtracting the digital terrain model (DTM) from the digital surface model (DSM).

TauDEM Hydrology Tools:
In this video tutorial, we demonstrate how to use the TauDEM (Terrain Analysis Using Digital Elevation Models) tools on the OpenTopography website for hydrology analyses.

Vertical Differencing:
Watch this video tutorial to learn how to perform vertical change detection on OpenTopography's web interface. As of late 2020, vertical differencing is enabled on over 60 dataset pairs that capture a number of processes including urban growth, vegetation change, river processes, earthquakes and landslides.

3D Differencing:
Learn how to perform 3D differencing on OpenTopography's web interface. The 3D differencing tool uses the Iterative Closest Point algorithm to compute the best rigid deformation to register point clouds. This algorithm is best applied when the landscape shifts laterally such as in earthquakes, creeping landslides, and sand dune migration.

3D Printing:
We discuss how to make a 3D print file (STL) from topography data using free and open source software including the DEMto3D plugin in QGIS and 3D Builder. We demonstrate how to select the size and resolution of the 3D print, how to apply a vertical exaggeration, and add a base to the 3D model.

Using the Potree point cloud viewer:
We demonstrate how to use the Potree point cloud viewer as part of our treasure hunt activity. Use the Potree viewer to visualize datasets by attribute such as classification, intensity or color, and to make measurements on the point cloud.

ESRI ArcGIS Pro, ArcMap and ArcScene Tutorials

Playlist: Geologic mapping with high resolution lidar topography in ArcGIS Pro:
This suite of tutorials demonstrates how to use ArcGIS Pro software to construct geologic maps from start to finish. Viewers can download the SP_Mountain dataset and follow along step by step here.

Load DEM on ArcMap:
We show to 'connect to folder', load a DEM, and compute the statistics for the DEM.

Mosaic a DEM to a new raster in ArcMap:
We show how to mosaic several DEM tiles into an individual dataset which facilitates subsequent raster computations.

Add a color gradient to a hillshade in ArcMap:
We show how to improve our ability to visualize a digital elevation model by using a stretched color map for the DEM and adding a topographic hillshade.

Add a map layout, explanation, and export in ArcMap:
We show how to export a printable map as a PDF. We use the layout view to choose the area of the dataset that is being displayed and add a north arrow and a legend for the elevation.

Create DEM contours in ArcMap:
Learn how to make contour lines for a DEM.

Create a slope map and hillshade in ArcMap:
This video demonstrates how to make a slope map and slope shade which are powerful options for visualizing a landscape.

Use ArcMap's raster calculator for a Canopy Height Model:
We make a Canopy Height Model which computes the elevation of trees and buildings above the ground. This video describes how to use raster algebra and conditional statements to compute raster differences.

Compute watershed grids in ArcMap:
We use the hydrology tool box to compute watershed grids. We show how to perform fill, flow direction, and flow accumulation calculations in ArcMap.

Topography and drainage networks in ArcScene:
Use ArcScene to visualize topography in 3D and add a pre-calculated drainage network.

Playlist: Geologic mapping with high resolution lidar topography in ArcPro:
This suite of 22 short tutorials demonstrates how to use ArcGIS Pro software to construct geologic maps from start to finish.

QGIS Tutorials

TauDEM Hydrology Tools:
In this video tutorial, we demonstrate how to use the TauDEM (Terrain Analysis Using Digital Elevation Models) tools on the OpenTopography website for hydrology analyses and visualization in QGIS.

Open a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) in QGIS :
We demonstrate how to open a digital elevation model (DEM) in QGIS.

Make a Topographic Hillshade in QGIS :
We demonstrate how create a topographic hillshade in QGIS.

Make a Slopeshade Map in QGIS :
We demonstrate how create a slopeshade of a digital elevation model (DEM) in QGIS.

CloudCompare Tutorials

Measuring Strike and Dip:
We demonstrate how to measure geologic orientation from a point cloud using the Compass tool in CloudCompare. This video was developed for this structural geology exercise where students conduct a virtual structural analysis of the point cloud dataset at Painted Canyon adjacent to the Southern San Andreas Fault.

3D Differencing:
This tutorial demonstrates how to perform 3D differencing using CloudCompare. We apply this tool to synthetically offset datasets that represent a make-believe but realistic earthquake along the Wasatch fault in Salt Lake City. This video was developed as part of the Wasatch differencing exercise available here on OpenTopography and from NAGT/SERC .

Vertical differencing:
In this video, we show how to visualize the snow-on and snow-off datasets at Reynolds Creek Critical Zone Observatory. We manually measure the difference in height between the two acquisitions. We perform a distance computation to measure the snow height over the entire dataset area.

Matlab Tutorials

Visualize DEMs and Raster Topography in Matlab:
Watch this video to learn how to load and visualize raster datasets such as digital elevation models. The Matlab script is available from OpenTopography’s GitHub page.

Visualize Point Cloud Topography in Matlab:
Watch this video to learn how to load and visualize lidar point cloud topography using Matlab’s lasdata function. The Matlab script is available from OpenTopography’s GitHub page.

Visualize Point Cloud Topography with Matlab’s Lidar Toolbox:
Watch this video to learn how to load and visualize lidar point cloud topography using Matlab’s Lidar Toolbox. The Matlab script is available from OpenTopography’s GitHub page.

Matlab 3D Topographic Differencing Demonstration:
Learn how to measure 3D displacements from high resolution topography in Matlab. The Matlab script is available from GitHub.

Category: