3 D Analyst

Extension products let you add more capabilities to ArcGIS Desktop. These specialised tools allow you to perform extended tasks such as raster geoprocessing, three-dimensional analysis, and map publishing.

ArcGIS 3D Analyst is an extension to ArcGIS Desktop that allows you to effectively visualise and analyse surface data. Using ArcGIS 3D Analyst, you can view a surface from multiple viewpoints, query a surface, determine what is visible from a chosen location on a surface, create a realistic perspective image that drapes raster and vector data over a surface, and record or perform three-dimensional navigation.

With ArcGIS 3D Analyst, you can

  • Create three-dimensional views directly using your GIS data.
  • Analyse three-dimensional data using cut/fill, line-of-sight, and terrain modeling.
  • View your data from a global-to-local perspective.
  • Navigate through multi resolution terrain data seamlessly.
  • Do spatial analysis in two or three dimensions.
  • Visualise modeling or analysis results in three dimensions.
  • Use three-dimensional models and symbols for realism.
  • Export your visualisations into videos.

 

ArcGIS 3D Analyst provides an extensive set of features to build, visualise, and analyse data in three dimensions. Some of the key features include -

  • Data Visualisation
    Three-dimensional visualisation of your GIS data for data exploration and synthesis
    Learn more.
  • Interactive Navigation
    Interactive navigation tools to explore, display, and query your three-dimensional data
    Learn more.
  • Surface Creation and Analysis
    Creation and analysis of surface data for sophisticated modeling, viewing, and analysis
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  • 3D Symbols
    Support for hundreds of three-dimensional symbols to enhance the display and realism of your data
    Learn more.
  • Fly Through Paths and Animations
    Creation of advanced fly-throughs and animations for better communication and presentation of important concepts
    Learn more.

Do I need 3D data to use ArcGIS 3D Analyst?

No, ArcGIS 3D Analyst can use all the datasets supported by ArcGIS. If your data does not have explicit three-dimensional coordinates, you can drape it on other surface data, such as a digital elevation model (DEM), or you can extrude the features in a 3D thematic representation (e.g., sales districts extruded by sales with the height representing the amount of sales).

 

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What data comes with ArcGIS 3D Analyst?

ArcGIS 3D Analyst contains a number of sample and tutorial datasets as well as a global 150-meter resolution image. This data provides an extensive dataset for global visualization down to a scale of approximately 1:300,000. This data decompresses to more than 55 gigabytes in size but is delivered in a compressed JPEG 2000 format in less than 6 gigabytes.

 

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What is a digital elevation model?

A digital elevation model (DEM) is a representation of the earth's surface for a geographic area stored in a digital file containing regularly spaced point locations with an elevation attribute. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) DEM is a specific data product that adheres to standards defined by the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI). USGS DEMs can be downloaded for use with ArcGIS 3D Analyst.

 

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Can I display TINs by slope, aspect, or other terrain analysis methods?

Yes, you can display TINs by slope, aspect, node elevation, and similar edges, as well as many other analysis methods, through the TIN symbology options.

 

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Can I adjust the lighting for the scene?

You can adjust a variety of visual effects through the three-dimensional effects toolbar such as applying transparencies, layer face culling, layer lighting, shading, and depth priorities. The contrast, altitude, and azimuth can also be adjusted through the scene properties dialog box.

 

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