Topo to Raster with Barriers?

[JeffPickles]

I have a subsurface geologic structure map (polyline contours with polyline faults) and I need to create a raster from the contour values. Usually I would just use Topo to Raster to accomplish the task, but the problem is those pesky faults. The drop is too abrupt for an interpolated slope. I need a clean break.

I've used the Raster Interpolation > Spline With Barriers tool on many occasions with point data and similar polyline faults. It works swimmingly, but unfortunately my input data this time is a polyline contour layer. Is there a way to get that "Barrier" functionality with the Topo to Raster tool?

Alternatively, is there another way to create this raster that I'm thus far oblivious to?

[KieranBlacker]

Hi Jeff

I'm aware that its been 2 years since this post... but did you manage to solve this problem? I've got a similar situation, and I'm pretty stumped as to how to get a grid from the contours!

[EricRice]

In ArcGIS 10.1 the Topo to Raster tool was enhanced and you can now use the 'Cliff' option when setting the type of layer for input.  It should work like a 'barrier' or 'fault'.

Kieran,
If you have contour data you can use Topo to Raster, or if it is very large (since Topo has some limits) you could build a TIN/Terrain dataset, then convert to raster using one of the conversion tools.

What problems are you encountering, if any?

Best,
Eric

[KieranBlacker]

In ArcGIS 10.1 the Topo to Raster tool was enhanced and you can now use the 'Cliff' option when setting the type of layer for input.  It should work like a 'barrier' or 'fault'.

Kieran,
If you have contour data you can use Topo to Raster, or if it is very large (since Topo has some limits) you could build a TIN/Terrain dataset, then convert to raster using one of the conversion tools.

What problems are you encountering, if any?

Best,
Eric

Eric,

Sorry this has been a year since a reply was given. I indeed solved the issue using your reply, but I figured it out in the software. Thanks for the reply all the same.

I had no problem gridding the contours afterwards, and have since used this method a fair bit in gridding faulted reservoirs and structure maps for geology.

Thanks once again, and sorry for the super late reply.

Kieran