Gridding of geologic or geophysical data is at the foundation of most computerized mapping and modeling operations. Surface display techniques such as contouring, fish-net isometrics, and cross sections are usually derived from gridded surface models. Processing and analysis techniques such as surface filtering, trend analysis, Fourier transforms, and simple algebraic combinations of surfaces use gridded models in intermediate steps.

A combination of conventional gridding techniques with interactive control for manual interpretation of data hold the potential for dramatically improving results and expanding acceptance of the technology. Several conventional algorithms are reviewed and two new gridding techniques are introduced. Procedures for interactively controlling gridding techniques and adapting the techniques to respond to manual interpretations of the data will be discussed. Also, procedures for intractively adjusting gridded surfaces to conform to manually input contour curves will be described and demonstrated.

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