Terrain Image and Elevation solutions?

mozzie

I'm starting this topic hoping it can be the repository for replacement or alternative solutions to importing terrain data and images. and comments on suitability or "how-to".

Background
I've been a long term user of the Geo-location function and use the satellite imagery and terrain elevations in all my work. To complicate matters, most of my work is Aust/NZ based and I've stayed with SU8 (I don't need more than it provides).

I know that Trimble offer a one-off update with access to their new imagery and data. I'd be happy to do that, but the new imagery seems to have some limitations (https://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=15%26amp;t=67815) and I expect that AU/NZ will not be a priority.

Alternatives suggested in other threads
That thread also contains some references;

Topofusion http://topofusion.com
Google Earth Pro https://forums.sketchup.com/t/google-earth-pro-is-now-free/6601 with the extension DanielTal_GEmaker to help ease the pain of scaling/lining things up.
CAD-Earth http://www.cad-earth.com/ This uses Google earth data and costs $249 for a permanent licence that includes terrain data. The description sounds good; does anyone have direct experience?
Archicad (?)
SUPlacemaker https://www.suplacemaker.com/ This uses Digitalglobe data annual subscription license for $199 US.

Areas for investigation
GIS with available DEM data.
I plan to look at this as 5m DEM data is freely available in AU. ArcGIS is the standard GIS but expensive so I'm looking at the alternatives - QGIS or qvSIG seem well supported.

Any suggestions?

valerostudio

As of right now, I am not sure there is a very good solution. I spoke with Bryce directly and he told me, "It seems that something is going on with how terrain data is served and how the resolution of the grid is determined. We're going to try to make some improvements but I don't know when you'll see them."

Thats the best they can offer right now.