This week's module involved comparing TIN and DEM elevation modules. TINs (Triangulated Irregular Networks) consist of a network of triangles. They can be good at representing areas where the surface is highly variable. A DEM (Digital Elevation Models) is a graduated raster grid where each cell has an elevation value. They can be easier to process than TINs due to their comparative simplicity.
Contour lines can be generated from both of these elevation models. The TIN contour lines were easy to generate as they were found as a check-box in the Symbology pane. The DEM contour lines had to be generated using the Contour tool.
TIN contour lines are shown in red and black, and the blue contour lines were generated from a DEM. These contour line types can have remarkable differences, depending on the study area and type of analysis performed. In this case, the study area had spots of great elevation changes, and the differences between the two elevation types can be seen there. This module highlights the importance of choosing the right elevation model for the data and analyses required.