Golden Software Releases Surfer 2D and 3D Mapping, Modeling, and Analysis Software

Latest Version Includes 3D Viewer, Point Cloud Layer for LiDAR Data Processing, Base Map Symbology, Multithreaded Gridding and Color Relief Generation, and Streamlined Workflows.

Golden, Colorado, November 14, 2017 – Golden Software, the leading developer of affordable scientific graphics software, today announces the release of Surfer version 15, a powerful 2D and 3D mapping, modeling and analysis program designed to facilitate a deeper understanding of geospatial data.

Used by thousands of scientists, engineers, and educators across the globe, Surfer is a leading competitor in data modeling software. Surfer offers thirteen different gridding methods, including Kriging with variograms, to convert regularly or irregularly spaced XYZ data into uniform raster grids. Display a raster grid or digital elevation model (DEM) as one of ten fully customizable 2D and 3D grid-based map types: contour, watershed, viewshed, shaded relief, color relief, 1-grid and 2-grid vector, grid value, 3D wireframe, and 3D surface maps. Enhance the display by adding post maps, base maps and LiDAR point cloud maps, and visualize the map in three- dimensional space. Maps generated with Surfer are renowned for their accuracy, clarity, and vibrancy. The latest version of Surfer contains over 70 user-requested new features and enhancements.

Surfers most popular new feature is the 3D view window to display maps in three-dimensional space. Any grid-based map can be displayed in the 3D view and draped with any of Surfers other map types. Achieve a 360 perspective of your map by rotating it, walking along the surface, displaying and adjusting water levels, adjusting the vertical exaggeration, or by creating and recording fly-through videos to share with others.

Another popular new feature is Surfers point cloud to process and visualize LiDAR data. Create point clouds from one or more LAS/LAZ files, and use the numerous filtering options including classification, return number, source ID, spatial filters, and more to import only the required data. Once the point cloud layer is created, modify, classify, remove, or export the points. Alternatively, create a raster grid from the points to visualize the point cloud data as other map types, such as contours. Finally, visualize the point cloud in three dimensional space with the 3D view window.

Additional features include base map symbology to assign colors and symbols to objects based on attribute values; multithreading and algorithm optimizations for gridding data; optimized and multithreaded color relief rendering; Thiessen polygons; Delaunay triangulations; new coordinate systems; and 8 new import options including PDF as vector, MapInfo TAB/MAP vector format, and GeoJSON.

3D visualizations help achieve a better understanding of the underlying data, said Golden Software CEO Blakelee Mills. The latest release of Surfer provides even more tools for users to explore, analyze, and understand their data.

Surfer v15 operates in a Microsoft Windows environment with Windows 7, 8 (excluding RT), or 10. Surfer pricing information is available online. Surfer users with active maintenance receive the latest version for free. Surfer includes free updates and free technical support. Full online documentation is included. To download a free Surfer trial or place an order, visit www.GoldenSoftware.com.

About Golden Software:
Founded in 1983, Golden Software is a leading developer of affordable scientific graphics software. Its customer base includes over 100,000 users involved in oil and gas exploration, mining, geosciences, engineering, business, education, and government in 186 countries and territories. Golden Software offers seven products: Surfer for gridding, contouring and 3D surface mapping; Voxler for 3D data visualization; Grapher for 2D and 3D graphing; Strater for well log, borehole and cross section plotting; MapViewer for thematic mapping and spatial analysis; and Didger for digitizing and coordinate conversion. For additional information, visit www.GoldenSoftware.com or call 303-279-1021.