Introduction to 3D Visualization

Question 1

With ArcGIS Pro, you can visualize your data in 3D by using what?

Answer 1

a 3D scene

Question 2

Benefits to using 3D data visualizations in a GIS?

Answer 2

1) Helps to identify patterns that may not be apparent in 2D
2) Aids in gaining a different perspective of data
3) Allows users to see vertically stacked content
4) Invites imagination and understanding
5) Adds realistic environmental effects to your 3D scene

Question 3

When creating a new 3D scene in ArcGIS Pro, there are three different views that you can start from to visualize 3D data. What are they?

Answer 3

1) a map view
2) a local scene view
3) a global scene view

Question 4

Type of view: You can still map your 3D data, although your data is visualized in 2D.

Answer 4

Map View

Map views are best for a top-down view, or bird’s-eye view, of either small or large extents.

Question 5

Type of view: These views allow you to visualize both your 2D and 3D data from a real-world perspective.

Answer 5

Local scene

They are best for viewing and analyzing data at a local scale or for data that has a fixed extent in which you work. In other words, local scene views are best for small geographic extents, in which the curvature of the earth is unnecessary for analysis. Local scene views allow for subsurface visualizations, such as subway stations, and basic visual effects.

Question 6

Type of view: These views also allow you to visualize your 2D or 3D data, but they can provide additional real-world context.

Answer 6

Global scene

While global scene views are suitable for large geographic extents, such as global or regional datasets in which the curvature of the earth is important for analysis, you can choose to visualize your data at either a small or large extent. Visualizing your data at a large extent is great for gaining context for global phenomena, such as weather, world populations, or shipping lanes. However, the enhanced visual effects provided in global scene views may impel you to view small extents of your data.

Question 7

Just as in the real world, all objects in a 3D scene must have an what associated with them?

Answer 7

elevation source

When displaying your data in a 3D scene, you must determine how you want your data to display using elevation types. The elevation type of a layer determines how your data will draw in relation to the ground.

Question 8

What are the three elevation types to visualize your 3D scene?

Answer 8

1) on the ground
2) Relative to the ground
3) Absolute height

Question 9

What is a property of the layer and are dependent on the type of elevation surface that you choose in your scene?

Answer 9

Elevation types

The surface (sometimes called a ground surface or an elevation surface) provides context for the elevation of your data. By default, ArcGIS Pro provides an elevation surface in a 3D scene, or you can choose to use a higher-resolution, custom elevation surface.

Question 10

Determine which elevation type to use for each 3D visualization: An air traffic controller needs to determine the shortest flight path from one airport to another while avoiding a tropical storm and any restricted airspace. The GIS technician deployed to assist the controller will use ArcGIS Pro to map the most appropriate flight path. Which elevation type should the GIS technician use to map the airplane path data?

Answer 10

Absolute height

Question 11

Determine which elevation type to use for each 3D visualization: A GIS transit planner is mapping new plans for potential traffic camera placement in a city’s downtown area. The cameras will be installed on the existing traffic lights to gain a top-down perspective. Which elevation type should the transit planner use to place the new traffic cameras in a 3D scene?

Answer 11

Relative to the ground

Question 12

Determine which elevation type to use for each 3D visualization: A commercial developer wants to create a 3D model of a new office space using ArcGIS Pro. The office space will be located on a vacant lot and will only be one-story high. Which elevation type should the developer use to map the new office building in a 3D scene?

Answer 12

On the ground

Question 13

Determine which elevation type to use for each 3D visualization: A water services company wants to examine its water mains in order to build an optimized water main break response plan. The water services company wants to visualize its subsurface water network in 3D. Which elevation type should the water services company use to map its subsurface water network?

Answer 13

Relative to the ground

Question 14

Determine which elevation type to use for each 3D visualization: An arborist has collected the locations of endangered trees species near a potential construction site. The arborist would like to create a 3D model in ArcGIS Pro to present to the city planners office before the approval hearing. When mapping the trees in a 3D scene, which elevation type should the arborist use?

Answer 14

On the ground

Question 15

A what vertically adjusts the height value (or z-value) of the entire layer, raising or lowering all features in the layer by a given height?

Answer 15

A cartographic offset

When you map features that are on the ground in a 3D scene, the features could be difficult to see because both the basemap (or imagery layer) and the features are draped over the ground surface, which is where the elevation data for the scene is stored. Both the basemap and the features are trying to occupy the same space in a 3D scene, which could cause conflicts.

Question 16

What is a property used to emphasize subtle changes in a surface, which is especially true when the horizontal extent of the surface is greater than the amount of vertical change present?

Answer 16

Vertical exaggeration

Additional height variables can be added to 3D views by controlling both the layer properties and ground source properties, including vertical exaggeration.

Question 17

What are two main uses for vertical exaggeration?

Answer 17

1) To amplify small changes in elevation on a surface that is relatively flat or looks flat because of the large extent
2) To bring z-values into proportion with x,y coordinates when the units measure different things, which happens when the z-values represent an attribute other than elevation (for example, population density or household income) or when x,y coordinates are measured in decimal degrees and the z-values are measured in meters or feet

Question 18

What enables you to take your points, lines, and polygon features and stretch them vertically to create real-world 3D objects?

Answer 18

Extrusion

Question 19

What are the different Extrusion methods? (4)

Answer 19

1) Adding to a feature’s base height
2) Adding to a feature’s minimum height
3) Adding to a feature’s maximum height
4) Extruding to an absolute value

Question 20

Extrusion methods: Each feature vertex is extruded upward by the same specified value. This method can be applied to points and lines. You could commonly see this used for boundary outlines, such as fence lines.

Answer 20

Adding to a feature’s base height

Question 21

Extrusion methods: The lowest vertex in the feature is extruded by the specified value (50). The lowest vertex has a base height of 50, so it is extruded upward to 100. All other vertices are extruded to the same absolute value of 100; therefore, the vertices with base heights of 150 are extruded downward. This extrusion method can be applied to lines and polygons and commonly applies to projects such as building footprints to produce 3D building symbols.

Answer 21

Adding to a feature’s minimum height

Question 22

Extrusion methods: The highest vertex in the feature is extruded upward by the specified value (50). The highest vertex has a base height of 150, so it is extruded to 200. All other vertices are extruded to the same absolute value of 200. This extrusion method can be applied to lines and polygons; it is also commonly used for building footprints and especially useful for sloping ground.

Answer 22

Adding to a feature’s maximum height

Question 23

Extrusion methods: All vertices are extruded to the specified value (50). The highest vertices have base heights of 150, so they are extruded downward 100 units. The lowest vertices already have base heights of 50, so they are not extruded. This extrusion method can be applied to points, lines, and polygons.

Answer 23

Extruding to an absolute value

Question 24

When working with 2D data in a 3D scene, another way that you can bring more realism to your scene is by using what?

Answer 24

3D symbols

3D symbols are only used for cartographic representation and do not change the feature itself.

Question 25

What kind of symbols are components of symbols that draw a specific shape—such as a push pin, a tree, or a 3D barn—at a specific location relative to geometry?

Answer 25

Marker symbols

Question 26

Three-dimensional symbols can be in the form of what kind of symbols?

Answer 26

marker symbols, fill symbols, or a combination of both in a rule package.

Question 27

What kind of marker symbol layers use script-based logic, or rule packages, to construct complex 3D objects from simple features to display point features with more detail?

Answer 27

Procedural marker

Question 28

What kind of symbol layers are components of symbols that cover an area or a surface? They can be applied to line features when the line has been symbolized as a tube or a wall, but they are most often used for polygon features.

Answer 28

Fill symbol

Question 29

What kind of fill symbols use an image to define the appearance of the marker? For example, it can provide a texture resembling a natural feature, such as grass.

Answer 29

Picture fill symbols

A 3D picture fill will draw with appropriate real-world proportions based on the measurements assigned to the given area or surface.

Question 30

What kind of fill symbols simulate water movement in a 3D scene? It is applied to polygon symbols rendered in a 3D environment.

Answer 30

Animated fill symbols

If the animation is rendered in 2D, the fill will become a solid fill using the color specified in the animated fill symbol.

Question 31

What kind of fill symbols use a rule package, which defines textures to use for different parts of a feature, and are most often used for polygon symbols but can also be used for points and lines? For example, for cities with a well-known architectural style, the fills can help create a realistic set of buildings, along with other common city features, such as street lights.

Answer 31

Procedural symbology / procedural fills

Because procedural rules provide such fine detail to 3D objects, they only appear when rendered in a 3D environment.

Question 32

Which statement describes a visual enhancement capability only available for global scenes?

Answer 32

Illumination by date and time