M3 - Terrain Visualization

This week's topic is about terrain visualization using the Digital Elevation Model (data) in which can be visualized into contour lines, slope, hillshade that can then be used for different analysis like hydrological, flood, landslide and watershed delineation. In this exercise we just focused on contours, proper contour label placement and hillshading in different times of the day. 

For Part 1, we were taught how to properly create a variable depth masking on contour labels which was quite cool. I have just used the contour label type and halo whenever I create agricultural maps. Good thing this exercise taught us how to label them clearly so the viewer can easily read the labels. I have always used constant intervals for contours as it defines terrain changes easily (Brewer,   2016). I initially used the same color of blue-yellow-red to show elevation but switched to green-brown-white which can better represent elevation change color in real life.

For Part 3, I combined landcover and hillshade to showcase the Yellowstone National Park. I grouped the similar trees together to avoid too many color symbology unless for a certain purpose where it is needed then we can add the additional landcover types and ungroup them. Then I used the traditional  hillshade to give more definition to the mountain ridges/cliffs/peaks. The multidirectional is best use if we are to focus on waterway lines or stream lines. And with the azimuth and altitude given for afternoon time at default, it gives a more profound look rather than the multidirectional illuminating from all directions.