The Elevation API is an open source C#/.NET API for processing digital elevation models (DEMs) that fills a gap where no existing C# API could be found. It is used to power a site that allows live 3D terrain generation from DEM data and in other applications like cave modeling. The API downloads DEM and imagery tiles, produces elevation data and 3D models, and can output in formats like glTF. It sources DEM and imagery data from providers like OpenTopography, NASA, MapBox, and OpenStreetMap.

1. GeoBerlin
Meetup
December 2020

2. What is Elevation API ?
• A C#/.Net OpenSource API for Digital Elevation Model
(DEM) processing
• Fills a gap where no existing C# API could be found on
GitHub
• Started from passion and my enthusiasm to explore
the field
• Full story here :
https://sketchfab.com/blogs/community/api-
spotlight-elevation-api
• Adheres to glTF3D standards : can output 3D textured
model in glTF binary format

3. Where is it used ?
• Powering https://elevationapi.com, a playground site
that allows live 3D terrain model generation from
DEM data
• Sketchfab gallery of models :
https://sketchfab.com/xfischer/collections/elevationa
pi-community
• Multimapas : elevation profiles
(http://javier.jimenezshaw.com/mapas/mapas.html)
• Used by The Mycenaean Atlas Project for viewshed and 3D
models : https://helladic.info
• Used by speleologists for cave modeling and analysis

4. How does it work ?
• Generates standardized metadata for each DEM file (bounding box, pixel size, …)
• Downloads automatically required files from OpenTopography / NASA
• Loads all metadata into RAM for fast indexing
• Retrieves tiles from AOI, location, Gpx file, …
• Produces height map, elevation calculations
• Can download OSM data via Overpass API and compute elevations / extrude buildings
• Download tiled imagery from well known providers
• Exports data as 3D models or anything else

5. Comparison : Pripyat, Ukraine

6. Comparison : Brazil

7. Datasources
• Supported formats :
• Input: GeoTIFF, netCDF, ASC, HGT, GPX, GeoJSON
• Output: STL, glTF, Image
• DEM data sources
• OpenTopography (https://opentopography.org/) : global datasets
• NASA Earth Data : (https://lpdaac.usgs.gov/products/nasadem_hgtv001/)
• Imagery data sources :
• MapBox
• ThunderForest
• MapTiler
• Data
• OpenStreetMap and contributors

8. Contact
• Mail : xavier@elevationapi.com
• Twitter : https://twitter.com/ElevationApi
• Sketchfab : https://sketchfab.com/xfischer