Query Elevation Tiff

Queries the elevation of a location using the local geoTIFF file stored at the following location:

Your Rhino Plugin Folder/Fenix/UnitedStates100m/elev48i0100a.tif

The geoTIFF must be at this location for this component to work. The geoTIFF comprises the lower 48 contiguous United States. Other locations are not currently supported.

The goeTiff can be downloaded from HERE.

The geoTIFF has a 100m resolution, meaning that each pixel represents a 100m x 100m square area. Thus, the elevation accuracy depends on the elevation variation within the 100m grid that the location lies within. Note that, for the purpose of determining wind loads, snow loads, etc., elevations from this geoTIFF should be more than adequate.

This component provides an alternative to the Query Elevation component, which utilizes opentopodata.org to return an elevation.

Benefits of using the geoTIFF are:

Faster queries - the Query Elevation component sends an API request to opentopodata.org and must wait for a response. The time it takes for the request to be sent and received is significantly longer than the time it takes to query the geoTIFF.
Supports unlimited querying - opentopodata.org provides free queries, and as such, places a limit on the number of queries per user. Currently, the limit is fairly high, but is subject to change at any time. If you are querying many locations often, it is best to use the local geoTIFF, provided your locations are within the lower 48 contiguous United States.

Disadvantages of using the geoTIFF are:

Less accuracy - the geoTIFF provides 100m x 100m resolution, which is generally sufficient for structural design purposes. However, the Query Elevation component queries the NED10m dataset on opentopodata.org, which provides a 10m x 10m resolution of the lower 48 contiguous United States, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and portions of Alaska. This increase in resolution will provide better accuracy.
Fewer locations - the geoTIFF only covers the lower 48 contiguous United States. The NED10m queried using opentopodata.org provides the same coverage plus Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and portions of Alaska.

Inputs

Number	Name	Object Type	Description	Optional
1	Latitude	System.Double	Latitude of location.	No
2	Longitude	System.Double	Longitude of location.	No

Outputs

Number	Name	Object Type	Description
1	Elevation	System.Double	The elevation of the location in the model unit system.
2	Units	System.String	Descriptor of the output units.