Hello, I am not at all familiar with complex topographic maps, can someone please guide me as to how to plan it out, elevation markers, the distance between the lines, which polyline to use? straight and arc or splines (to close later).. if anyone can please guide me, thank you very much

First step is to vectorize your scanned map, e.g. by means of the free Wintopo.

thank you for your guidance, where is that option located in autocad?

I think you would be better off using a program like SiteTopo.  Free 30-day trial here...http://www.sitetopo.com/

thank you, could work done on that be imported into autocad and/or 3ds max later on>

I think you could get it into AutoCAD via a DXF file.  No idea about 3ds Max.  Who are you doing this for or should I ask why are you doing this?  What is the purpose?

Here is a link to the Wintopo website.  Looks promising.http://wintopo.com/

im working on a residentials project where there is a gradual 4 feet drop per division for a total of120' landscape drop.. the engineers busy with other projects gave this to me and i wanted to sure i am doing it correctly.. ive done it in autocad which is what they requested..

Here is an approach done using AutoCAD and SketchUp.http://nomeradona.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/tutorial_terrain.pdf

thank you.. can be done all only in autocad?

[QUOTE=John Connor]Here is a link to the Wintopo website.  Looks promising.http://wintopo.com/

[/QUOTE]
i am giving this one a try.. thank you.. lets see what happens here..