Displays the relation between formulas and forms by creating algebraic surfaces through equations. Input simple equations to produce images based on their interpretation. Rotate a surface, zoom in or out, change its parameters, assign colors to its exterior or interior side.
Surfer is a powerful 3D modeling tool that embeds various features and which can be used in extensive fields, from bathymetric modeling, surface analysis, contour mapping, to 3D surface mapping or terrain modeling.
The application's GUI can be described as modern, simple and high responsive. It embeds plenty of useful customizations, it provides users a few themes to choose from and has a nicely shaped toolbar menu. However, it does require some time to accommodate and it's not designed to be used by users that are unfamiliarized with this work field.
This utility provides the tools to visualize all types of data and comes with a wide variety of maps customizations. Users can edit all axis parameters, combine or stack multiple maps, or add text, polylines, symbols, and polygons.
Its interpolation engine is able to transform XYZ data into quality maps, and it offers multiple gridding methods over gridding parameters or customized variograms.
Furthermore, users are being allowed to transmute the lighting or exhibit angle and tilt with just a mouse click. Besides, the program automatically blends colors between percentage values.
All in all, Surfer is a good choice for users who seek a comprehensive program to perform 3D surface mapping operations, though the navigation sometimes becomes laggy and the price seems expensive.
v16.2 [Feb 15, 2019]
-New Features/Improvements:
Attribute Table: Added the Query Objects command in the toolbar
Attribute Table: Copy the entire table without having to hold down select button
Attribute Table: Export to data/database file (e.g. CSV, DAT, DBF, TXT, XLSX)
Attribute Table: Find/Replace
Attribute Table: Make it easier to select and copy non-adjacent cells/rows
Base Layer: Added the Query Objects and Open Attribute Table commands to the right-click context menu when in Edit mode
Add the Duplicate and Move/Copy commands to the right-click context menu
Export: Automatically use map scaling source for export when base layer is in edit mode
Increase the size of the text in Digitized Coordinates dialog when using a high resolution monitor
Map Wizard: Make Browse its own button
Query dialog: Make modeless so you can access other commands/dialogs (e.g. the Attribute Table) when it is open
-Fixes:
Map Wizard: Choosing text columns for data files leaves you stuck on second dialog with no indication of what's wrong
Internal Error when create 3D view (geometryconverter.cpp)
Color Relief: Reflectance color data min/max goes to grid min/max when reload grid
Internal Error when exporting to .raw file with the header size set to a non-zero number (bufferedfile.cpp)
Watershed: Changing the grid and then Undo doesn't revert the Threshold value
Watershed: Properties doesn't clear the Pour point file field if selected file is invalid
Grid Editor: Improper Argument error when saving in ADF format
Options: Rectangle must fully surround: Unchecked doesn't have any effect
Internal Error in the worksheet when attempting to import data past its end
