CONTOURS

Contour Line Generation Software from a DEM

STREAM is contour line generation software: it generates contour lines directly from your DEM at the interval you choose, and saves them as clean, editable vectors. Trace a single elevation or produce a full contour set for a topographic map.

Contours generated from the terrain in STREAM and drawn over shaded relief, with interval, thickness and index-contour options.
Contours generated from the terrain in STREAM and drawn over shaded relief, with interval, thickness and index-contour options.

What are contour lines?

Contour lines connect points of equal elevation. They are the classic way to read terrain shape on a topographic map and a standard deliverable for survey and civil projects.

Because they are derived from the DEM, the interval and smoothness can be tuned to suit the map scale.

Contour Line Generation Software in STREAM

Contours at any interval

Generate a full contour set at the interval you choose, computed directly from the DEM.

Follow a single elevation

Trace the contour of one chosen elevation as an area or line with a single action.

Editable vector output

Save contours as vector data and export to DXF for CAD and mapping.

On the real terrain

Contours follow the DEM surface, so they match the ground you loaded.

How to generate contour lines from a DEM

  1. 1

    Set the scope

    Draw or select the area the contours are generated inside, so the calculation runs on the part of the site you care about.

  2. 2

    Set the interval

    Enter the contour interval and the index interval for the heavier labelled lines.

  3. 3

    Preview on the terrain

    The contours are drawn over the surface straight away; change the interval and look again before committing.

  4. 4

    Keep the result

    Add the contours to the project as a vector layer so they persist with the scenario.

  5. 5

    Export

    Send the contour vectors to DXF for CAD, or include them in a map sheet.

Supported formats

DXF
Editable contour vectors for CAD
GeoTIFF
Source DEM contours are generated from

Frequently asked questions

Can I choose the contour interval?

Yes. STREAM generates contours at the interval you set, computed directly from the DEM, and can also trace a single chosen elevation.

What format are contours exported in?

Contours are saved as editable vector data and exported to DXF for CAD and topographic mapping.

Are contours generated from the DEM?

Yes. Contours follow the DEM surface, so they match the real terrain you loaded.

Try Contour Line Generation in STREAM

Free beta for Windows x64. Works fully offline with GeoTIFF, LAS/LAZ and DXF.

Download STREAM free