CompuServe Messages

John, I have accomplished this task using AutoCAD and third party software from Schreiber Instruments, Inc (800.252.1024). The difficult task is converting the paper topo data into a drawing file. I am assuming that the topo data is contours, or spot elevations, or something like that. If there is minimal data, the contours can be digitized into the drawing as Plines by tracing over the paper data on a digitizing tablet. If there is alot of data or large drawing sheets, you can have the entire drawing scanned and formatted as an Autocad drawing file. There are service bureaus around that provide this service for appox. $15/drawing. Once you have the data in the drawing file you will have to adjust the z-value of the plines to be represent the contour elevation. Using either QuickSurf (AutoCAD ADS application) or 3DSurf (IPAS application), both avail from Schreiber, you can extract the topo data into a 3D Surface mesh that is perfectly suited for 3DS. Very simple to accomplish in a short time (most of the time will be converting the data to an AutoCAD drawing file). Hope this helps…Let me know if you need more info. Good Luck… CT.