Use contour data to create or modify a surface.
Surface contour data are created from polylines whose points are all at the same elevation.
You can add contour data only to TIN surfaces.
Recommendations For Creating a Surface From Contours
When you create a surface from contour data, especially if you want to add other data to the surface, you can generate a better surface model whose contours will match the contour data if you follow recommended guidelines.
First, create the surface and add all your contour data. For best results, add the contour data in a single operation. Do not add additional data such as spot elevations or breaklines at this time.
You can specify Minimize Flat Areas By options when adding the contour data, or you can add the contour data without the options and then use Check for Contour Problems to locate contour problems and repair them. For information on repairing contour problems, see To Check a Surface for Contour Problems and To Minimize Flat Areas in a Surface.
After you have added your contour data and repaired problems, verify the contours visually. Add additional contours where needed, and add spot elevation data or breaklines only where they are required to correct a specific problem. For more information on repair, see About Supplementing Missing Contour Information and To Minimize Flat Areas in a Surface. Repair all problems.
After you have identified and repaired contour problems, add additional surface data such as additional spot elevation points. Add surface boundaries last. Add boundaries starting at the outside of the surface and working toward the inside.
