Deb Blystone wrote:

I have to create a map using DEM, however I have had no experience with them.  I have downloaded the whole state from NRIS, and all I have is gray screen.  How do i modify the symbology to show the different elevations?  I need to create a map before Aug 16, and any help would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks Deb

Deb,

If you downloaded the DEMs from http://nris.mt.gov/nsdi/nris/el10/dems2.asp, these are in ESRI GridAscii format, and in my experience ArcMap does not open them correctly.  You have to use the Ascii to Grid tool in the To Raster toolset of the Conversion Tools section of ArcToolbox.

Please let me know if this doesn't help.  You can always contact us directly at nris@mt.gov if you have questions about data you've gotten from our web site.

Gerry