given topographic map, don't know how to start

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

For starters I would say unless you are doing this strictly in 2D plain AutoCAD wouldn't be the software I would use to create a complex topographic map.

What is the source of your survey data?

city website topo map.. i am doing the work in 2d autocad actually for starters, I have done them with polylines, it is my first time doing such a big topo like this, i have done it for small residential projects in school.. i have extruded the topo lines, but i am concerned that everything is precise or not.. as far as the elevation, the drop between the elevation lines.. etc.. any guidance would be appreciated, thank you

Extruded? Why didn't you use Loft?

You're a student?

just use loft with the polylines to give them elevation you mean? no, not a student.. but new to something this vast as far as the topo..

Too bad. Students can obtain free software from AutoDesk.

Well you mentioned "extrude" so I thought you were attempting to create a 3D map. Isn't that your aim?

which autodesk software would work best for this project? well.. my aim is to create a topographic map (have the distances correct, elevation be correct.. lines, etc.. all be precise)

Precision is in the eye of the beholder. If you have good data then your outcome will be good. If not well it will look terrible.

Read this thread for one possible solution. Note that one of the respondents refer to the "lofting of contours" as well.

http://www.cadtutor.net/forum/showthread.php?8618-Contour-Textures-for-Terrains

thank you.. using presspull or extrude for the elevation another way to go and then loft all of them together (being in different layers)..

which autodesk software would work best for this project? well.. my aim is to create a topographic map (have the distances correct, elevation be correct.. lines, etc.. all be precise)

AutoCAD Civil3D would be the correct software.