What is a Slope Map?

A slope map is a visual representation showing how steep the terrain is across a given area. Generated from elevation data, it transforms complex topographic information into an easy-to-read color-coded visualization where each color represents a different degree of steepness.

How Does It Work?

Slope maps are created by analyzing Digital Terrain Models (DTM) — precise 3D representations of the ground surface. The system calculates the rate of change in elevation between neighboring points and expresses this as either:

• Degrees (0° = flat, 90° = vertical cliff)
• Percentage (0% = flat, 100% = 45° angle)

The result is typically displayed using a gradient color scale: green for flat areas, yellow for moderate slopes, and red or purple for steep terrain.

Why Are Slope Maps Useful?

Slope maps are invaluable across many industries:

Construction & Civil Engineering

• Identify suitable building sites
• Plan drainage systems and road alignments
• Calculate earthwork volumes

Forestry & Environmental Management

• Assess erosion risk in sensitive areas
• Plan sustainable harvesting routes
• Evaluate land stability for reforestation

Power Line & Infrastructure

• Determine optimal tower placement
• Plan safe access routes for maintenance
• Identify potential landslide risks near infrastructure

How LidarVisor Generates Slope Maps

LidarVisor creates slope maps from LiDAR point cloud data with precision. The platform first classifies ground points to build an accurate DTM, then automatically calculates slope values across the entire surveyed area.

The result is an interactive layer you can overlay on your 3D visualization, helping you quickly identify terrain challenges and make informed decisions — all without needing specialized GIS software.