Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
The essentials about the 3D tool, where the data comes from, and how it may be used. A question that isn't answered here? Write to us.
The 3D tool
How do I switch to the 3D view?
Pan across the map and zoom in on the area you're interested in, then click “View in 3D”: the relief drapes over the view and tilts. You then explore freely — drag to move, scroll to zoom, right-click (or two fingers) to rotate. The “Back to 2D map” button flattens the view again.
How do I adjust exaggeration and tilt?
Once in 3D, two sliders appear. Vertical exaggeration amplifies elevation differences — useful for revealing gentle relief; at 1×, heights are at true scale. Tilt sets the camera angle. You can also rotate the view by dragging with the right button (or two fingers).
The relief looks flat or missing — why?
Two possible causes. Either the area really is flat (a plain, a body of water), or it isn't covered by LiDAR: coverage doesn't extend across all of Québec (see below). Try a hilly region: the Laurentians, Charlevoix, the Eastern Townships, or a valley floor all show marked relief.
Does the tool work on a phone?
Yes: navigation is touch-based, and the 3D view uses the phone's graphics acceleration. On an older device, if the relief view stutters, zoom out a little or lower the vertical exaggeration.
The data
Where does the relief data come from?
From LiDAR surveys of Québec, produced and released as open data by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests (MRNF). We retrieve them from Données Québec and turn them into navigable relief. Article translations are on the way; in the meantime, see the blog.
What is the accuracy and resolution?
The digital terrain models are delivered at 1-metre resolution (one elevation per one-metre cell), with vertical accuracy on the order of a few centimetres. We render this data without recomputing it: the relief you see is the MRNF's.
Is all of Québec covered?
No. LiDAR coverage focuses on inhabited and developed areas, and expands with each acquisition campaign. Some remote regions haven't been surveyed yet; they appear without detailed relief.
What do the shadows in the 2D view represent?
The default map is an analytical hillshade of the relief: simulated oblique lighting that brings out bumps and hollows. No third-party basemap is used — you're looking only at the LiDAR terrain.
Why does the water surface look uneven?
The near-infrared LiDAR laser is absorbed by water and doesn't measure its surface reliably. Each body of water therefore carries the elevation captured at the moment of the flight, which varies with tide and campaign: in 3D this can produce plateaus or slight steps on watercourses. This is a limitation of the source data, not a display error. The ground relief itself remains faithful.
Can I download the raw data?
Not from this site: Québec 3D is a visualization, not a repository. The original files (point clouds and terrain models) are available free of charge on Données Québec.
Use, rights and reports
Can I use this relief for a professional project?
Québec 3D is a tool for exploration and understanding, not an engineering document or an official map. For professional use, rely on the original Données Québec data and on the appropriate certified surveys. See our Terms of Service.
Is the site free? Do I need an account?
The site is free, with no account, no advertising and no collection of personal data. It is served as a static site: nothing you explore is sent to a server.
How do I report an anomaly or ask a question?
Email us at [email protected]. The Contact page lists the details worth including in a report (area concerned, browser, screenshot).