High-Resolution Contour Map


This project is an algorithmically produced attempt at producing a high-resolution contour map from the USGS's API.
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Overview

The above map illustrates elevation data from the United States Geological Survey ("USGS") between the longitudes of -98 to -96 and latitudes of 32 to 34, respectively. The greater Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan region is contained in this range. While the resolution is high (by web standards), the zoom level of this particular map makes it topographically impractical for use outdoors. The emphasis is purely artistic and topographic features can be more or less generalized.

The goal is to produce dense and aesthically pleasing contours and countour polygons for use in any applicable field such as meteorology or density maps.

D3's d3-contour library can compute polygons via marching squares. It is more practical for animated or interactive mapping purposes.

Technical

Software & Languages

Python, Grasshopper, XML

Keywords

contour map, contours, USGS, API, Python, Grasshopper, SVG, evenodd, vector, containment logic