Does anyone have any knowledge or opinion as to the accuracy of the topographical info available through the geolocation feature? Source? (Does Digital Globe use USGS?)
I ask because often the contour lines on a prepared civil plan often don’t match the contour lines that can be generated from the geolocated terrain map that Sketchup downloads.
Just curious…
Bob
If the civil plan was created from a local on-the-ground survey, I would expect it to be different from the other sources. It would be normal to expect the local on-the-ground survey to be more accurate although I’ve had experience with surveys that weren’t correct, too.
Yea, I have found, about often as not, that the retaining wall design height criteria to be a little short of actual site conditions. Which is what prompted the question. I’m doing a “proof of concept” portion of a project for a builder and, using the in sketchup geo data, the wall designs are a couple feet short. Their survey data may be more accurate, but modeling their civil plan wasn’t part of the work scope.
Thanks for weighing in, Dave!
I have found that in my area the terrain data, while OK, seems to be a bit averaged out.
The only resource to give you accurate topography of a site currently is to get a surveyor on the property. Many of those USGS maps available are +/- 10’-0" which is completely inadequate for accurately designing a structure.
+/- 10’! Holy smokes, that’s not too useful now, is it?
Thanks Nick!
Those satellites are a fair way up in the sky after all. 