Vertical exaggeration (VE) is a

scale Scale or scales may refer to: Mathematics * Scale (descriptive set theory), an object defined on a set of points * Scale (ratio), the ratio of a linear dimension of a model to the corresponding dimension of the original * Scale factor, a number ...

that is used in

raised-relief map A raised-relief map, terrain model or embossed map is a three-dimensional representation, usually of terrain, materialized as a physical artifact. When representing terrain, the vertical dimension is usually exaggerated by a factor between fiv ...

plans A plan is typically any diagram or list of steps with details of timing and resources, used to achieve an objective to do something. It is commonly understood as a temporal set of intended actions through which one expects to achieve a goal. ...

and

technical drawing Technical drawing, drafting or drawing, is the act and Academic discipline, discipline of composing Plan (drawing), drawings that Visual communication, visually communicate how something functions or is constructed. Technical drawing is essent ...

s ( cross section perspectives), in order to emphasize vertical features, which might be too small to identify relative to the horizontal scale.

Scaling Factor

The vertical exaggeration is given by: :

\mathit = \mathit\frac

where ''VS'' is the vertical scale and ''HS'' is the horizontal scale, both given as representative fractions. For example, if vertically represents and horizontally represents , the vertical exaggeration, 20×, is given by: :

\mathit = \frac = \frac = 20

. Vertical exaggeration is given as a number; for example 5× means vertical measurements appear 5 times greater than horizontal measurements. A value of 1× indicates that horizontal and vertical scales are identical, and is regarded as having "no vertical exaggeration." Vertical exaggerations less than 1 are not common, but would indicate a reduction in vertical scale (or, equivalently, a horizontal exaggeration).

Criticism

Venus - 3D Perspective View of Maat Mons

Some scientistsDavid Morrison,
“Flat‐Venus Society” organizes
, ''EOS, Volume 73'', Issue 9, American Geophysical Union, 3 March 1992, p. 99. https://doi.org/10.1029/91EO00076. Retrieved 11 March 2019. Robert Simmon,
Elegant Figures What Not To Do: Vertical Exaggeration
" ''NASA Earth Observatory,'' November 5, 2010. Retrieved 11 March 2019. object to vertical exaggeration as a tool that makes an oblique visualization dramatic at the cost of misleading the viewer about the true appearance of the landscape. In some cases, if the vertical exaggeration is too high, the map reader may get confused.

References

{{Geometry-stub Cartography Descriptive geometry Topography techniques