Surface modeling seeks to represent landform characteristics and attached features both natural and man-made in a digital model where measurements can be made and designs can take shape.

DSM (Digital Surface Model)

A Digital Surface Model captures the natural and man-made features on the Earth’s surface. A DSM is useful in 3D modeling for telecommunications, urban planning and aviation. Because some objects extrude from the Earth, this is particularly useful in these examples:

  • Runway approach zone encroachment. In aviation, DSMs can determine runway obstructions in the approach zone.
  • Vegetation management. Along a transmission line, DSMs can see where and how much vegetation is encroaching.
  • View obstruction. Urban planners use DSM to check how a proposed building would affect the viewshed of residents and businesses.

Arizona Surveying is pleased to offer services related to surface modeling, DEM, digital elevation model, 3D point cloud, remote sensing, DSM, digital surface model, contouring, DTM, digital terrain model, TIN, triangulated irregular network in Flagstaff, Prescott, Sedona, Phoenix, Tempe, Glendale, Scottsdale, Casa Grande, Yuma, Tucson, Kingman, Laughlin, Grand Canyon, Navajo Reservation, Hopi Reservation, Hualapai Reservation, Coconino County, Yavapai County, Maricopa County, Pima County, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada and California.