Due - several years ago i put together a database of all the ortho-rectified quads covering Rhode Island - did some basic 'color matching' of the quads - keeping everything in a geotiff format.
Then I combined the public elevation datasets (different resolution) with that dataset - into one database.
Using "Global Mapper" (an EXCELLENT map tool - was around $200 at the time), it was possible to go to any location in Rhode Island at fairly high res (think it was all 1' res - may have been 2') - and display them in a '3-D' manner. It was a pretty neat little project - and went to some muckety-muck (friend of client) in the RI state government.
This was about the time that google was getting into 'mapping' in a big way - and slightly before 'google earth' came out - so, not quite cutting edge, but certainly on the 'leading implementation slope' for that type of tech.
Current Google result on Global Mapper - I can, and do, recommend this as a cost effective, and professional, tool. Much easier to use than ESRI - and a hell of a lot less expensive. The projection/coordinate transformation portions of the program alone cost over $1,000 from other vendors - and are not only robust, but also quick, efficient, and correctly done. (eg. UTM to State Plane Coordinate systems - or, datum transforms such as from NAD27 to WGS83 and such.) The incorporation of 3-D visualization was a neat addition to this fine little program. I am dated on it - about 4 years or so - but the basics of mapping do not change.
GPS Map Software - GIS Coordinator - 3D Mapping Program [Global ...
www.globalmapper.com/product/features.htm
GPS Map Software - Global Mapper is a comprehensive GIS coordinator and 3D ... accurate conversions between a large list of projection systems and datums. ... KML/KMZ (Google Earth) formats; InRoads ASCII format; Landmark Graphics .... Supports the easy creation of geological features, like strike-and-dip points, with ...
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good ...
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