Wikipedia:Graphics Lab/Resources/Optimizing shaded relief using GIMP (old)

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This tutorial's aim is to optimize relief shadows of previously created shaded reliefs using digital elevation model (DEM) files and the programs 3DEM or GRASS GIS.

Comparison between an original and a composite relief

Composite: In many cases, a single illumination source is inadequate for showing the main forms of a relief, particularly if the relief features are oriented North-West - South-East in the axis of the main light source. In order to improve the result, it is possible to displace the virtual Sun across the map and create three views which will be assembled together to produce a composite shadow image of the map in question.

Comparison between a composite relief and a composite relief optimised for a small scale map

Bumping: This page proposes a second optimization which could be applied to general maps covering a country. Where, on a large scale map such as those resulting from the files of the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) at their native resolution, each detail of the relief is clearly visible and useful. In the other hand, more general map don't need the level of precision of the SRTM, but raher the principal forms which are of more interest.

The tools[edit]

  • Your shaded relief file(s): sunlight from 315⁰ (NW), 275⁰, 355⁰.
  • GIMP (version used: 2.2.13): bitmap editor which allows optimization of relief shadows

Reinforcing density and Composite[edit]

Translator's note: All illustrations from this point onwards are screenshots from the original author's French language version of GIMP


Apply a "Multiply" fusion to a duplicated layer
1. Open the Shadows_315.png (or .bmp) image in GIMP. Create a duplicate layer and select <Multiply> mode to reinforce the density of the shadows resulting from this main illumination.


Apply a "Multiply" fusion to the <Shadows_275> layer
2. Open as a layer (CTRL + ALT + O) the image Shadows_275, change its fusion mode to <Multiply> in the drop down Mode menu in the Layers, Channels, Paths window, and add a black mask (Layers > Mask > Add a layer mask).

3. Zoom to 200% (View > Zoom > 200%). Select the fuzzy circle Paintbrush tool, with a scale of around 7 pixels and, on the mask layer, paint in white along the lines of the shadows of the main relief forms which are oriented North-South, in order to heighten the contrast of these lines.
Tutorial optimization shaded relief map 10.jpg
Tutorial optimization shaded relief map 10b.jpg
Heighten the contrast of the North-South lines of relief Appearance of the mask layer for <Shadows_275>

Repeat the same operation with the layer "Shadows_355"
4. Repeat points 2 and 3 for the image Shadows_355 in order to increase the contrast of the East-West lines. Take care not to reinforce the shadows on two flanks of the same mountain.

5. Save the image in .xcf format to preserve the layers in case it is necessary to modify them later. Export the image as a .png format file in order to be able to use it as a layer above your map. You may need to increase the contrast by using the Curves tool (CTRL + M) - do not use the Luminosity-Contrast tool as this does not allow for a precise control of the operation.
Note: A simpler and more rapid solution is to add the layers with a Multiply fusion without adding a black mask, but this method is not very effective at optimizing the relief forms.

Bumping: Reduction of the level of detail[edit]

Note: This optimization applies to small scale maps covering a large terrestrial and mountainous zone for which the excess of details obscures the reading of the general relief forms.

Reduction of the size of the image
1. In GIMP, open the png shaded relief image previously created. Note its dimensions in pixels. Go to Image ->Scale and size of the image... Specify a new size in <percent> and indicate a value of 20%.

2. Resize the image again, this time with a value of <500%>, and check that the dimension indicated in pixels does correspond to the size of the original image. These operations have the effect of diminishing the details and to make the smallest valleys less visible. Save the image under a different name to the image source. Close the document.
Tutorial optimization shaded relief map 13a.jpg
Tutorial optimization shaded relief map 13b.jpg
Resizing to the original size Appearance of the map after the operation

3. Open the original image of the shaded relief. Open as a layer (CTRL + ALT + O) the modified map which has just been created in point 2 and give it a transparence of around 50%, the aim being to obtain an image of the shadows which does not appear blurred but in which the smallest details will be hardly visible on the final map in order to optimize the general llines of the relief. Increase the contrast if necessary by using the Curves tool (CTRL + M).
Tutorial optimization shaded relief map 14.jpg
Tutorial optimization shaded relief map 02.jpg
Fusion of the two layers Comparison of the original map / optimized map

External links[edit]

Bumping (reducing relief detail)
Relief practices
  • A site presenting the rules for graphics in cartography and which deals with the question of relief shadows.
  • GRASS GIS: A Useful Tool for the Mountain Cartographer includes a grass script which allows one to generate a shaded relief of a lat-long DEM while taking into account the horizontal (E-W) stretching which normally makes lat-long reliefs unusable. What this does is allow the relief image for this tutorial to be produced in a single step rather then 3.



This article incorporates information from the revision as of Optimizing relief of the equivalent article on the French Wikipedia.


