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Surfer is a full-function 2D and 3D mapping, modeling, and analysis software package for scientists and engineers. Surfer's sophisticated interpolation engine quickly transforms XYZ and XYZC data into publication-quality maps. Virtually every aspect of the map is customizable. Enhance maps with profiles, legends, titles and labels, faults and breaklines, or external maps from any web mapping service. Surfer is used extensively by scientists and engineers across the globe.
Provider
Golden Software
Located In
United States
Foundation
1983
Open API
Unverified
Deployment
On-Premise Windows
Training
Documentation, Live Online, Webinars, Videos
Support
Chat, Email/Help Desk, FAQs/Forum, Knowledge Base, Phone Support
Surfer primarily serves professionals involved in environmental services, engineering consulting, resource exploration and extraction, and education.
Content Source: Surfer
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Surfer Reviews
Pros
I am satisfied with its quality performance. I hope it will continue its excellent performance.
That fantastic feeling when a cold, flat map is turned into a 3D display where you can do whatever you want. Very precise coordinates and altitude.
Customer support is fantastic. Basic features are relatively easy to use and advanced features have interesting applications that I look forward to learning and utilizing.
I truly recommend surfer to anyone who would like a much more streamlined GIS software that produces beautiful maps and it's cheaper than other top notch GIS programs.
Cons
It can be difficult for a beginner to navigate surfer.
It is a bit hard to master it for novice users due to its deep learning cure.
Fairly large learning curve, earlier versions missed some key functions.
As many of the GIS softwares it can be difficult at first, but once you get the hang of it you shouldn't have any issues, just beware that there are not that many tutorials online.
"Good option for fast data processing and generation of associated three-dimensional maps. "
Overall: Almost all aspects of the map can be customized, so the final presentation is practically what I want, with few format restrictions. The most recent versions have incorporated improvements that allow me: Develop 3D views to visualize data in real 3D, with the ability to walk on the surface and fly through the visualizations. Now I can process and visualize the data more quickly on the surface that I have created. I have also noticed that aspects related to data import formats have improved.
Pros: For the mapping and modeling of small areas, I prefer it before more complex software such as Arcgis, simply for convenience and faster results. Almost all aspects of the map can be customized, so the final presentation is exactly as the user intended.
Cons: I can not use it to model buildings and it also does not have video output format It does not allow me to do double visualization in the same interface, option that if they have other similar programs like the qGis, for example.
"Fantastic Mapping Software"
Overall: Surfer offers a wide range of functionality from creating very basic figures to complicated 3D visuals. I have had clients mention they were impressed with the mapping I have been able to produce for their properties.
Pros: The functionality of Surfer incredibly broad. I use Surfer as general mapping tool for site maps and contour figures but also for making 3D site models and visuals. Being able to incorporate LiDAR data into my visuals is a particularly helpful feature of Surfer. The figures I am able to produce with Surfer are visually appealing and allow me to present my data in an easily understandable way.
Cons: I have no complaints with this software.
Vendor Response
"Isovaloras"
Overall: It is good for basic stuff.
Pros: It is ideal to plot points in 3d. Easy to create isovaloras.
Cons: It needs more vision in 3D and calculation of areas.
Vendor Response
"Very useful for engineers and geoscientists "
Overall: I discovered surfer when I was in a physics lab . I had to represent electric fields line and I didn't know how to do that. That is when I found a tutorial using this software to make it possible. Then, when I started to see more advanced subjects at my school . I found out that geoscientist use it a lot, that is where I started exploring all of its awesome features. I made a gravimetric study of all my school for a project and Surfer was really helpful for presenting the results of that study.
Pros: with surfer we are able to create good quality 2D and 3D maps . It allows you to import an excel sheet and work based on that data. Also you can create different types of maps ( I have made gravimetric and topographic maps ).
Cons: It is hard to use some of the tools and is not easy to find some kind of tutorial on internet. I have only used in small areas because I've only made school projects.
Vendor Response
"Excellent for contouring maps."
Overall: I truly recommend surfer to anyone who would like a much more streamlined GIS software that produces beautiful maps and it's cheaper than other top notch GIS programs.
Pros: As a geoscientist you normally use lots of GIS softwares, and I can honestly tell that working with surfer for me produced the best results, it is a mix of easier than other GIS software with beautiful maps. Its correlation tools and color palettes allow you to create great contour maps to represent any type of geophysical, geological or geographical data, such as magnetic and gravimetric.
Cons: As many of the GIS softwares it can be difficult at first, but once you get the hang of it you shouldn't have any issues, just beware that there are not that many tutorials online.
