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Surfer 8.04
The most common application of Surfer is to create a grid-based map from an XYZ data file. The
Grid | Data command uses an XYZ data file to produce a grid file. The grid file is then used by most
of the Map menu commands to produce maps. Post maps and base maps do not use grid files.
The flow chart to the right illustrates the relationship between XYZ data files, grid files, contour
maps, and wireframes.

Lesson 1 - Creating an XYZ Data File

An XYZ data file is a file containing at least three columns of data values. The first two columns are
the X and Y coordinates for the data points. The third column is the Z value assigned to the XY
point. Although it is not required, entering the X coordinate in Column A, the Y coordinate in
Column B, and the Z value in Column C is a good idea. Surfer looks for these coordinates in these
columns by default.

Opening an Existing Data File

To look at an example of an XYZ data file, you can open TUTORWS2.DAT into a worksheet
window:
1. Choose the File | Open command, or click the

button to select the XYZ data file.

2. Double-click on the SAMPLES folder. In the list of files, click TUTORWS2.DAT and then click the
Open button to display the file in the worksheet window.
3. Notice that the X coordinate (Easting) is in Column A, the Y coordinate (Northing) is in Column
B, and the Z value (Elevation) is in Column C. Although it is not required, the header text (the text
in row 1) is helpful in identifying the type of data in the column, and this information is used in
dialog boxes when selecting worksheet columns.

Creating a New Data File

The Surfer worksheet can also be used to create a data file. To open a worksheet window and
begin entering data:
1. Choose the File | New command or click the

button.

2. Click the Worksheet option in the New dialog and then click OK to display a new empty
worksheet window.

3. The active cell is selected by clicking on the cell or by using the arrow keys to move between
cells. The active cell is indicated by a heavy border and the contents of the active cell are
displayed in the active cell edit box.
4. When a cell is active, enter a value or text, and the information is displayed in both the active cell
and the active cell edit box.
5. The BACKSPACE and DELETE keys can be used to edit data as you type.
6. Press the ENTER key and the data are entered into the cell.
7. To preserve the typed data in the active cell, move to a new cell. Move to a new cell by clicking a
new cell with the pointer, pressing one of the arrow keys, or pressing ENTER.

Saving the Data File

When you have completed entering all of the data:
1. Choose the File | Save command, or click the
you have not previously saved the data file.

button. The Save As dialog is displayed if

2. In the Save as type list, choose the Golden Software Data (*.DAT) option.
3. Type the name of the file into the File name box.
4. Click Save and a GSI Data Export Options dialog opens.
5. Accept the defaults in the GSI Data Export Options dialog by clicking the OK button.
The file is saved in the Golden Software Data [.DAT] format with the file name you specified. The
name of the data file appears at the top of the worksheet window.

Lesson 2 - Creating a Grid File

Grid files are required to produce a grid-based map. Grid-based maps include contour maps,
image maps, shaded relief maps, 1-grid vector maps, 2-grid vector maps, wireframes, and
surfaces. Grid files are created using the Grid | Data command. The Data command requires data
in three columns, one column containing X data, one column containing Y data, and one column
containing Z data. We have included a sample XYZ data file (TUTORWS.DAT) with Surfer for you
to see how to produce a grid file. After completing the tutorial, if you need to produce an XYZ data
file of your data for your work, see Lesson 1 - Creating an XYZ Data File.
To produce a grid file from TUTORWS.DAT:
1. If you have the worksheet window open, click on the Window menu and choose Plot1.
Alternatively, you can create a new plot window with File | New (select Plot Document and then
click OK).

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2. Choose the Grid | Data command.
3. In the Open dialog, click the file TUTORWS.DAT (located in Surfer's SAMPLES folder). The
name appears in the File name box below the list of data files.
4. Click Open and the Grid Data dialog is displayed. Alternatively, you can double-click the data file
name to display the Grid Data dialog.
5. The Grid Data dialog allows you to control the gridding parameters. Take a moment to look over
the various options in the dialog. Do not make changes at this time, as the default parameters
create an acceptable grid file.
o
o
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The Data Columns group is used to specify the columns containing the X and Y
coordinates, and the Z values in the data file.
The Grid Line Geometry group is used to specify the XY grid limits, grid spacing, and
number of grid lines (also referred to as rows and columns) in the grid file.
The Gridding Method group is used to specify the interpolation method and
interpolation options.
The Output Grid File group is used to specify the path and file name for the grid file.
The Grid Report option is used to specify whether to create a statistical report for the
data.

6. Click OK. In the status bar at the bottom of the window, a display indicates the progress of the
gridding procedure. By accepting the defaults, the grid file uses the same path and file name as
the data file, but the grid file has a [.GRD] extension.

7. By default, a message appears after gridding the data. Click OK in the grid file has been created
message box.
8. If Grid Report is checked, a report is displayed. You can minimize or close this report.

Lesson 3 - Creating a Contour Map

The Map | Contour Map command creates a contour map based on a grid file.
To create a contour map of the TUTORWS.GRD file created in the previous lesson:
1. Choose the Map | Contour Map | New Contour Map command, or click the

button.

2. The Open Grid dialog is displayed. The grid file you just created (TUTORWS.GRD) is
automatically entered in the File name box. If the file does not appear in the File name box,
select it from the file list.
3. Click the Open button to create a contour map.
4. The map is created using the default contour map properties.

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5. If you want the contour map to fill the window, choose the View | Fit to Window command.

Opening Map Properties

After creating a map, you can change the map properties. There are several ways to open an
object's properties. The most common method is to double-click on the object. Refer to Properties
for alternative methods of opening properties.

Changing Contour Levels

After you create a contour map, you can easily modify any of the map features. For example, you
might want to change the contour levels displayed on the map.
To change the contour levels of the map you just created:
1. Place the pointer inside the limits of the contour map and double-click to display the contour map
properties dialog.
2. In the contour map properties dialog, click the Levels page to display the contour levels and
contour line properties for the map. In this example, the contour levels begin at Z = 20. Click on
the scroll bar at the right to scroll to the bottom. You can see that the maximum contour level is Z
= 105 for this map and that the contour interval is 5.
3. To change the contour range and interval, click the Level button and the Contour Levels dialog
is displayed. This shows the Minimum and Maximum contour level for the map and the contour
Interval.
4. Double-click in the Interval box and type the value 10. Click the OK button and the Levels page
is updated to reflect the change.
5. Click OK in the contour map properties dialog and the map is redrawn with the new contour
levels.

Changing Contour Line Properties

You can double-click any of the elements in the list on the Levels page to modify the individual
element. For example, you can double-click an individual Z value in the list to change the Z value
for that particular contour level. You can also double-click the line style for an individual level to
modify the line properties for the selected level. This provides a way to emphasize individual
contour levels on the map.

To change contour line properties:

1. Double-click the contour map to open the map properties.
2. On the Levels page, double-click the line sample for the contour level at Z = 70 to open the Line
Properties dialog.
3. You can select the line color, style, or width for the selected line in the Line Properties dialog. In
the Width box, click the up arrow, and change the width value to 0.030 in. (A width of 0.000 in is
equivalent to one pixel width.)
4. Click OK in the Line Properties dialog, and the Levels page is updated to reflect the change.
5. Click OK in the map properties dialog and the map is redrawn. The contour line at Z = 70 is
drawn with a thicker line.

Adding Color Fill between Contour Lines

Color fill can be assigned to individual levels in the same way as line properties. Alternatively, you
can assign colors based on a gradational spectrum between two colors.
The Levels page in the contour map properties dialog shows a correspondence between a level
(under the Level button) and a color (under the Fill button). The colors are used to fill in the space
between the corresponding level and the next higher level. For example, if the contour levels are
20, 30, 40, ..., etc., then the color corresponding to level 20 is used to fill in the space between the
level 20 contour and the level 30 contour.
To change color fill:
1. Double-click the contour map to open the contour map properties dialog.
2. Click the Fill Contours check box on the General page.
3. On the Levels page, click the Fill button to open the Fill dialog.
4. Click the Foreground Color button to open the Color Spectrum dialog. This dialog allows you to
select colors to assign to specific Z values. Click on the left anchor point button above the
spectrum, click on the color blue in the color palette, and then click OK. The Foreground Color
button is now displayed as a gradation from blue to white in the Fill dialog.
5. Click OK and the fill colors on the Levels page are updated to reflect the change.
6. Click OK and the contour map is redrawn with color fill between the contours.

Add, Delete, and Move Contour Labels

Contour label locations can be changed on an individual basis. Labels can be added, deleted, or
moved.
To add, delete, and move contour labels:
1. Right-click on the contour map and choose the Edit Contour Labels option. You can also edit
labels of a selected contour map using the Map | Contour Map | Edit Labels command. The
pointer changes to a black arrowhead to indicate that you are in edit mode.
2. To delete a label, click on the label and press the DELETE key on the keyboard. For example,
click on a 70 label and then click the DELETE key on your keyboard.
3. To add a label, press and hold the CTRL key on the keyboard and click on the location on the
contour line where you want the new label located. Add a 60 contour label to the lower left
portion of the map.
4. To move a contour label, click on the label, hold down the left mouse button, and drag the label.
Move the 70 contour label on the right portion of the map to the north.
5. To exit the Edit Contour Labels mode, press the ESC key.

Modifying an Axis
Every contour map is created with four axes: the bottom, right, top, and left axes. You can control
the display of each axis independently of the other axes on the map. In this example, we'll change
the contour spacing and add an axis label.
To modify an axis:

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1. Move the pointer over one of the axis tick labels on the bottom X axis and left-click the mouse.
In the status bar at the bottom of the plot window, the words "Map: Bottom Axis" are displayed.
This indicates that you have selected the bottom axis of the contour map. Additionally, hollow
handles appear at each end of the axis, and solid green handles appear surrounding the entire
map. This indicates that the axis is a "sub-object" of the entire map.
2. Double-click on the bottom axis to display the bottom axis properties dialog.
3. In the Title box on the General page, type "Bottom Axis" and then click the Apply button. This
places a title on the selected axis.
4. If you cannot see the axis title, select View | Zoom | Selected. Notice that you do not have to
close the properties dialog to select menu commands, toolbar buttons, or objects in the plot
window.
5. Click on the Scaling page to display the axis scaling options. In the Major Interval box, type the
value 1.5 and then click the Apply button. This changes the spacing between major ticks along
the selected axis.
6. Click on the General page and then click the Label Format button. The Label Format dialog is
displayed.
7. In the Label Format dialog, select the Fixed option in the Type group. Click on the down arrow
on the Decimal Digits box and change the value to 1. This indicates that only one digit follows the
decimal point for the axis tick labels.
8. Click OK to return to the axis properties dialog.
9. Click OK in the axis properties dialog and the map is redrawn. The axis tick spacing and labels
are changed, and the axis title is placed below the map.

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Saving a Map
When you have completed the map or drawing in the plot window, you can save the map to a
Surfer file [.SRF] containing all the information necessary to reproduce the map. When you save a
map, all the scaling, formatting, and map properties are preserved in the file.
To save a map:
1. Choose the File | Save command, or click the
button. The Save As dialog is displayed
because the map has not been previously saved.
2. In the File name box, type TUTORWS.
3. Click Save and the file is saved to the current directory with an [.SRF] extension. The saved map
remains open and the title bar changes to reflect the name change.
If you are using the demo version of Surfer you will not be able to save the map. Please proceed
to Lesson 4.

Exporting 3D Contours
When you have completed a contour map in the plot window, you can export the contour lines with
associated Z values to an AutoCAD DXF file.
To export contour lines:
1. Select the map by clicking on the map in the plot window or by clicking on the word "Contours" in
the Object Manager.

2. Choose Map | Contour Map | Export Contours.

3. In the Save As dialog , type TUTORWS into the File name box.

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4. Click Save and the file is exported to the current directory. This creates a file titled
TUTORWS.DXF which can be opened in any program with an AutoCAD DXF import option.

If you are using the demo version of Surfer you will not be able to export contours. Please proceed
to Lesson 4.

Lesson 4 - Creating a Wireframe

Wireframes are three-dimensional representations of a grid file. Wireframes are block diagrams generated
by drawing lines representing the grid X and Y lines (the grid columns and rows). At each intersection of a
column and row (i.e. at each grid node), the height of the surface is proportional to the grid Z value at that
point. The number of columns and rows in the grid file determines the number of X and Y lines drawn on the
wireframe.

Creating a New Wireframe

To create a new wireframe:
1. Select the File | New command, or click the

button.

2. Select Plot Document in the New dialog and click OK. A new empty plot window is displayed.
3. Select the Map | Wireframe command or click the

button.

4. Choose the grid file TUTORWS.GRD from the list of files in the Open Grid dialog, click Open,
and the map is created. (TUTORWS.GRD, created in Lesson 2 - Creating a Grid File, is located
in Surfer's SAMPLES folder.)

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Changing the Orientation of a Wireframe

Although this example uses a wireframe to illustrate rotation and tilt, you can perform this operation
on most map types in Surfer.
To change rotation and tilt:
1. Click on the map once to select it.
2. Click the Map | Trackball command or click the

button.

3. Click the left mouse button and hold it while moving the mouse to the left and right. This changes
the rotation of the wireframe. The rotation is listed in the status bar.
4. Click the left mouse button and hold it while moving the mouse up and down. This changes the
tilt of the map. The tilt is listed in the status bar.
5. Once you have rotated and tilted the map, click the ESC key on your keyboard to end trackball
mode.
Changing the rotation, tilt, field of view, and projection can also be accomplished by double clicking
the wireframe and using the options on the View page.

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Changing the Scaling of a Wireframe

You can change the scaling of wireframes and surfaces in three dimensions. In this example, the Z
scaling is changed, and the wireframe becomes somewhat exaggerated in the Z dimension.
To change the Z scaling:
1. Double-click the wireframe to open the map properties.
2. Click the Scale page. You can set scaling by entering the number of map units per inch or by
entering the length for the map in page coordinates.
3. In the Length box of the Z Scale group, change the value to 3 by scrolling to 3 or by highlighting
the existing value and typing 3. The Map units value changes to reflect the change you made.
4. Click OK and the wireframe is redrawn exaggerated in the Z dimension.

Adding Color Zones to a Wireframe

You can change the line colors of any wireframe by applying color zones. In this example, we will
change color zones gradationally and individually.
To add a color zone to a wireframe:
1. Double-click on the wireframe, and the wireframe properties dialog is displayed.
2. Click on the Color Zones page.
3. Click on the Line button to display the Line Spectrum dialog.

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4. Click on the Minimum Line Properties button to open the Line Properties dialog. From here,
you can select the line color, style, or thickness.
5. Click on the Color button and select blue.
6. Click OK to return to the Line Spectrum dialog.
7. Click on the Maximum Line Properties button and change the line color to red using the steps
above.
8. Click OK in the Line Spectrum dialog to return to the Color Zones page.
9. In the wireframe properties dialog, check the Apply Zones to Lines of Constant X and Y boxes
by clicking in them.
10. Click Apply and the wireframe is displayed with gradational colors varying by the Z variable.
(Leave the dialog open.)

To change the properties of an individual Z value:

1. On the Color Zones page, double-click the line sample for the contour level at Z = 70.
2. You can select the line color, style, or width for the selected line in the Line Properties dialog. In
the Width box, click the up arrow and change the width value to 0.030 in.
3. Click OK in the Line Properties dialog and the Color Zones page is updated to reflect the
change.
4. Click OK in the wireframe properties dialog and the map is redrawn. The color zone at Z = 70 is
drawn with a thicker line, and is emphasized on the map. (If you need to zoom in on the map,
click the
button and then click on the map. Click the ESC key on your keyboard after you are
finished zooming in.)

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Lesson 5 - Posting Data Points and Working with Overlays

Post maps are created by placing points on a map and labeling the points. Posting data points on
a map can be useful in determining the distribution of data points, as well as placing data or text
information at specific points on the map. Data files contain the XY coordinates used to position the
points on the map. Data files can also contain the labels associated with each point.

Creating Post Maps

When a new post map is created, it is independent of any other maps in the current plot window.
When the two maps are displayed, notice that two sets of axes are also displayed, one set for each
map. When you use the Map | Overlay Maps command, the two maps are combined into a single
map overlay with one set of axes.
To create a post map:
1. Choose File | Open to display the Open dialog. Choose TUTORIAL.SRF in the SAMPLES
directory and then click the Open button. TUTORIAL.SRF opens and contains a contour map.
2. Select the Map | Post Map | New Post Map command or click the

button.

3. Choose TUTORWS.DAT from the list of files in the Open dialog. (TUTORWS.DAT is located in
Surfer's SAMPLES folder.)
4. Click Open and the post map is created using the default properties.
The contour map and post map are two separate maps on the page. If you look closely at the X
axis, you will notice the two sets of axis tick labels for the two maps. Also, there are two map
frames and axes sets listed in the Object Manager. We will line up the maps with the Overlay
command after changing the post map properties.

Changing the Post Map Properties

To change the post map properties:
1. Open the Object Manager if it is not already open. The Object Manager is open if there is a
check mark displayed next to the words Object Manager in the View menu. If there is no check
mark, click on the command once.
2. Right click on the word "Post" in the Object Manager.
3. Select Properties from the context menu.
4. In the post map properties dialog General page, click the symbol button to open the Symbol
Properties dialog.
5. Choose the filled circle symbol from the palette and click OK. The selected symbol appears in
the symbol button.
6. Click the Apply button and the symbol appears at the posted data points on the map.

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7. In the Fixed Size box (Symbol Size group), specify a size of 0.09 in.
8. Click OK and the post map is drawn with the new symbol size.

Overlaying Maps Tutorial

To overlay maps:
1. To see the two separate maps, place the mouse pointer in the center of the maps and click.
Press and hold the left mouse button and move the pointer slightly in any direction. Release the
button and the two maps are offset.

2. Click Edit | Select All to select both maps.

3. Choose the Map | Overlay Maps command to combine the two maps into a single composite
map.

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Selecting an Overlay and Assigning an Object ID

After creating a composite map, you can still modify the individual overlays in the map.
Selecting Maps
An individual overlay can be selected in the composite map by clicking on the overlay in the plot
window or clicking on the overlay in the Object Manager.
The easiest way to select an overlay in a composite map is to click on the overlay name in the
Object Manager. However, you can also select the overlay in the plot window with the mouse.
Whenever two or more objects occupy the same position in the plot window, use the CTRL key and
the left mouse button to select the desired object. The CTRL key allows you to cycle through the
selection of overlapping objects. For example, if you want to select a text block behind a rectangle,
hold down the CTRL key and click until the text is selected. You can use the status bar to help you to
determine which object is selected.

Renaming the Post Map

To select an overlay and assign an ID:
1. Make sure the Object Manager is open. If the Object Manager is not open, click View | Object
Manager.
2. Click the overlay name in the Object Manager. In this case, click the word "Post." The status bar
should now report "Map: Post."

3. Choose Edit | Object ID.

4. In the Object ID dialog, type the name "Tutorial Post Map" and click OK. The status bar, Object
Manager, and properties dialog title reflect the name change.

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If you double-click on Tutorial Post Map in the Object Manager, notice that the properties dialog
title changes to Map: Tutorial Post Map Properties. When you rename an object in Surfer 8, the
object's properties dialog reflects the name change making it easier for you to keep track of the
object you are editing. For example, if you have eight post maps in the plot window, it is beneficial
to change the post map names to something meaningful to save time when trying to edit them.
This is especially important because the properties dialog can stay open when changing selections.

Adding Labels to the Post Map

You can add labels to the data points on post maps. The post map can be selected by a few
different methods, though only the Object Manager method is discussed here.

To add labels:
1. Right-click on "Tutorial Post Map" in the Object Manager and choose Properties.
2. Click on the Labels page. In the Worksheet Column for Labels group, click the drop-down arrow
and a list of columns in TUTORWS.DAT is displayed.
3. Select Column C: Elevation from the list.
4. Click the Format button to open the Label Format dialog.
5. Change the Type to Fixed and the Decimal Digits value to zero.
6. Click OK to return to the post map properties dialog.
7. Click OK and the overlay is redrawn with labels on each of the data points.

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Lesson 6 - Introducing Surfaces

Surfaces are new to Surfer 8. They are similar to wireframes, except that surfaces are threedimensional shaded renderings of a grid file. Surfaces provide an impressive visual interpretation
of data. Surfaces can be overlaid with other surfaces, so that the surfaces will intersect with each
other. Surfaces can also have overlays of other map types, excluding wireframes.

Creating a Surface
To create a surface:
1. Select the File | New command, or click the

button.

2. Select Plot Document, in the New dialog and click OK. A new empty plot window is displayed.
3. Select the Map | Surface command or click the

button.

4. Choose the grid file TUTORWS.GRD from the list of files in the Open Grid dialog, click Open,
and the surface is created using the default settings. (TUTORWS.GRD, created in Lesson 2 Creating a Grid File, is located in Surfer's SAMPLES folder.)

Adding an Overlay
You can overlay base, contour, post, image, shaded relief, 1-grid vector maps, and 2-grid vector
maps on surfaces. All overlays, except other surfaces, are converted into a type of bitmap known
as a texture map. This texture map is then applied to the surface by stretching it and shrinking it as
necessary. When these maps are overlaid, you have a choice on how to treat the texture map. You
can use the colors from overlays only, from the surface only, or blend colors from the overlays and
surface. For example, you could create a color filled contour map, overlay the contour map and
surface, and then use the colors from the contour map only.
When multiple surfaces of differing elevations are overlaid, the surfaces can intersect and overlap
each other. If the surfaces are adjacent to each other in the X or Y direction, the surfaces are
drawn side-by-side after using Map | Overlay Maps. In this example, we will overlay a plane with
the surface you just created.

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First, create the surface plane:
1. Select the Map | Surface command or click the

button.

2. In the Open Grid dialog, open Surfer's SAMPLES folder and select TUTORPL.GRD.
3. Click Open, and the surface is created using the default settings.
4. Right click on the upper 3D Surface in the Object Manager, choose Object ID and add the text
TUTORPL.GRD to the end of the 3D Surface label to make it easier to distinguish the two
surfaces in the Object Manager list.

Adding a Mesh
Mesh lines can be applied to surfaces.

To add a mesh:
1. Double-click on the surface to open the surface properties.
2. Click the Mesh page.

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3. Check the X and Y boxes.
4. Change the Frequency to 5 for the X and Y lines.
5. Click the OK or Apply button to add a mesh to the selected surface.
Notice that the mesh is applied to the selected surface within the composite map, not to both
surfaces. With all map types, you can only change the map-specific properties of one map at a
time. Properties that apply to all overlays in the composite map include View, Scale, Limits, and
Background.

Changing Colors
Changing color schemes on surfaces is similar to changing colors on other map types such as
image maps or contour maps. The Color Spectrum dialog is used to load previously defined color
schemes, and it is also used to create your own color schemes.
Before experimenting with color, let's create a new surface map in a new plot window:
1. Click File | New or click the

button.

2. In the New dialog, select Plot Document and then click OK.
3. Select the Map | Surface command or click the

button.

4. In the Open Grid dialog, open Surfer's SAMPLES folder and select any grid file [.GRD].
HELENS2.GRD is a good choice for experimenting with color.
5. Click Open, and the surface is created using the default settings.
To change the surface material color:
1. Double-click on the surface to open the surface properties.
2. There is a Material Color group on the General page. Click the Upper button.
3. Click the Load button in the Color Spectrum dialog.

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4. The color schemes are stored in color spectrum files containing a [.CLR] extension. By
default, Surfer opens in the SAMPLES folder, which contains many predefined color spectrums.
(Browse to the SAMPLES folder if it is not open.) Click on one of the [.CLR] files to select it and
then click the Open button.
5. Notice that the colors and anchor node
positions have changed in the Color Spectrum
dialog. Click OK in the Color Spectrum dialog to return to the surface map properties dialog.
6. Click the Apply button in the surface map properties dialog to see your color changes. Drag the
surface map properties off to the side if you cannot see the map.
You can continue to experiment with the colors by clicking the Upper button and loading other color
spectrum files. This is the end of the tutorial. If you still have questions, try looking for answers in
the online help and user's guide. If you find you still have questions, do not hesitate to contact
Golden Softwares technical support.