Authoring 3D Layers and Creating Web Scenes in ArcGIS Online

# Authoring 3D Layers and Creating Web Scenes in ArcGIS Online: A Deep Dive for Business & Innovation

## Unleashing the Power of 3D Data Visualization for Your Business

For years, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have been a staple in industries like urban planning, environmental science, and infrastructure management. But the potential of GIS, particularly when leveraging the immersive power of 3D, extends far beyond these traditional fields. Today, businesses across the board – from real estate and retail to logistics and emergency response – are realizing the incredible value of visualizing their data in a three-dimensional context. This isn’t just about pretty pictures; it’s about gaining deeper insights, improving decision-making, and ultimately, boosting your bottom line.

I’ve been working with ArcGIS Online for a long time now, and I’ve witnessed a huge evolution in its capabilities. Initially, getting 3D content online was a fairly complex process. Thankfully, with recent updates like those in ArcGIS Pro 2.4, Esri has dramatically simplified things. In fact, publishing 3D scenes and layers now often takes just *one click*. That ease of use is a game changer, allowing businesses of all sizes to tap into the potential of spatial data.

This article will walk you through creating stunning 3D content for ArcGIS Online, with a focus on practical applications for business. We’ll leverage data from an ArcGIS Pro tutorial (originally focused on ArcGIS Enterprise) and show you how to build interactive web scenes – all while keeping things real-world and understandable. We’ll cover layering, styling, and even building a basic web application to showcase your 3D vision. And importantly, we’ll avoid getting bogged down in overly technical jargon. I’ll also share my evolving thoughts on *why* these capabilities matter for modern businesses.

## What Tools Will We Be Using? (And Why They Matter to You)

Let’s break down the tools we’ll be utilizing and how they translate into business benefits. This isn’t just a tech list; it’s about understanding the investment you’re making.

* **ArcGIS Pro 2.4:** This is the professional desktop GIS application where we’ll author our 3D scene. Think of it as the core engine for creating your immersive visualization. Its ability to handle and transform complex data is crucial for accuracy and detail.
* **ArcGIS Online:** The cloud-based platform. It’s where our scene will live, accessible to stakeholders anytime, anywhere. This accessibility is a *huge* advantage for collaborative planning and presenting data to clients.
* **Hosted Layers:** These are layers stored directly within your ArcGIS Online organization. They offer faster performance and greater control compared to linked external data sources. For businesses, this means quicker load times and a more reliable experience for your users. We’ll be working with Hosted Scene Layers, Hosted Elevation Layers, and Hosted Feature Layers.
* **Scene Viewer:** The heart of our 3D experience within ArcGIS Online. This is where we’ll refine the appearance of layers, adjust lighting, and create a compelling visual narrative.
* **Web AppBuilder:** A powerful, yet user-friendly, application for building custom web applications that integrate seamlessly with your ArcGIS Online content. Think of it as the way to *brand* and *functionalize* your 3D visualization, turning it into an interactive tool for your customers or internal teams.

## Building the Foundation: Creating a Local Scene in ArcGIS Pro

Let’s roll up our sleeves and start building! We’ll begin by creating a new project in ArcGIS Pro specifically tailored for 3D scenes.

1. **New Project, Local Scene Template:** When launching ArcGIS Pro, choose “New Project.” Then, importantly, select the “Local Scene” template. This template sets up the project environment for working with 3D data.
2. **Remove Default Layers:** ArcGIS Pro automatically includes some base layers. These can interfere with our custom data, especially if the spatial references (coordinate systems) don’t match. *Right-click* on the “World Topographic” and “World Elevation” layers in the Contents pane and select “Remove Layer.” This is a crucial first step to ensure your scene displays correctly.
3. **Adding Base Layers:** Now, let’s add our primary data. I’m referencing an ArcGIS Pro tutorial using data for Portland, Oregon. Click «Add Data» in the Map tab and navigate to the «Portland\_Topo» raster within your file geodatabase.
4. **Incorporating Elevation:** Elevation is what gives our scene depth and realism. Right-click on «Ground» under «Elevation Sources» and click «Add Elevation Source.» Select the DTM (Digital Terrain Model) for Portland. This will overlaid onto the scene defining the land elevation.
5. **Clipping to Extent:** To focus our scene on the area of interest, we’ll clip the view to the extent of our base raster. Right-click «Scene» in the Contents pane, select «Properties.» Under the «Properties» window, click «Clip Layers.» Choose «Clip to a custom extent» and select «Portland\_Topo» from the extent dropdown. This ensures we aren’t displaying unnecessary areas and improves performance.

## Bringing Structures to Life: Creating 3D Buildings with Multipatch Features

Now comes the exciting part: adding 3D buildings! This is where the scene really starts to take shape.

1. **Add Building Footprints:** Use «Add Data» again to bring in the building footprints layer.
2. **Extrude into 3D:** *Drag* the «Buildings» layer from the «2D Layers» group to the «3D Layers» group in the Contents pane. This tells ArcGIS Pro to treat these features as 3D objects.
3. **Set Elevation to «On the Ground»:** *Right-click* the “Buildings” layer and select “Properties.” Go to the “Elevation” tab and, in the “Features are” dropdown, select “On the Ground.” This makes the base of each building conform to the underlying terrain. Without this, your buildings will likely be floating or partially submerged.
4. **Extrude Based on Roof Elevation:** This is where your data tells the story. In the “Properties” window, navigate to the “Appearance” contextual tab and then click on «Feature extrusion type» and choose «Base Height.» Click the “Extrusion Expression” button. Here, you’ll define a formula to calculate the height of each building. Use the expression `[ROOF_ELEV] — [SURF_ADJ]` – this subtracts the adjusted surface elevation from the roof elevation, correctly accounting for terrain variations. Make sure to change the units to “Feet.”
5. **From 2D to 3D: The Layer 3D to Feature Class Tool:** Running this tool converts the extruded polygons to “multipatch” features, enabling advanced 3D modeling and analysis. It’s ideally used when you need the greatest level of detail or need to manipulate the 3D shape of the buildings directly. For this, go to the Analysis tab, search for ‘Layer 3D to Feature Class’, and set your input feature class to the Buildings layer. For the Grouping Field, click Building ID, and accept all other defaults.

**A Real-World Example:** Imagine you’re a real estate developer looking to showcase a new project. A traditional 2D map just can’t convey the scale and impact of your development. A 3D scene, however, lets potential investors *experience* the project as if they’re already standing on the site. They can see how it integrates with the surrounding neighborhood, visualize sightlines, and appreciate the architectural design.

## Publishing to ArcGIS Online: One-Click Wonder (Mostly!)

Now that our scene is beautifully crafted in ArcGIS Pro, it’s time to share it with the world – or at least your ArcGIS Online organization!

1. **Share as Web Scene:** Go to the “Share” tab in ArcGIS Pro and click “Web Scene.” This opens the publishing dialog.
2. **Review Layers:** The publishing dialog shows you a list of all layers that will be included. Make sure everything looks correct and is checked.
3. **Configure Publisher Technical Details**: Ensure proper pop-up and other layer settings are adjusted for optimal data viewing.
4. **Publish!:** Click «Share.» ArcGIS Pro will automatically package and upload your scene to ArcGIS Online.

**Behind the Scenes:** ArcGIS Online handles the heavy lifting of converting your local data into a web-friendly format. It creates tile caches for faster rendering and optimizes the scene for different devices.

## Refining the Experience: Updating Your Web Scene in Scene Viewer

ArcGIS Online’s Scene Viewer is your canvas for polishing the visual appeal of your scene.

1. **Open the Web Scene:** Navigate to your ArcGIS Online organization and open the published web scene.
2. **Styling Buildings:** Click on the “Buildings” layer in the Contents pane to open the Style pane. Let’s use the “Maintaining Agency” attribute to color-code the buildings. Select “Types” as the Smart Mapping style. Configure the colors and enable edges for a more defined look. You can also toggle the visibility of the legend and pop-ups.
3. **Transforming Trees:** Style your trees! Select the «Trees» layer and in the «Style» pane, change the display from 2D to 3D. Choose “3D Object” and select a suitable tree symbol from the Esri web styles.
4. **Drive Height via Attributes:** Essentially, you’re telling Scene Viewer to use the `TREE_HEIGHT` attribute to determine the height of each tree. Set the units to «Feet.»
5. **Adding Realism with Slides & Daylight:** Using “Slides,” you can save specific scene configurations – including time of day and sun angle. This is fantastic for demonstrating how the scene appears under different lighting conditions. The Daylight options allow you to simulate time-lapse effects or showcase the scene at different hours. Simply move the sun position slider and create a slide to capture that specific view.

**Why this Matters for Marketing:** For retailers, visualizing store locations in 3D alongside demographic data can identify untapped markets. For tourism businesses, showcasing landmarks and attractions in immersive web scenes can entice visitors and drive bookings.

## Taking it Further: Building a Web App with Web AppBuilder

We’ve created a beautiful 3D scene. Now, let’s package it into a custom web application to enhance its functionality and branding.

1. **Open Web AppBuilder:** In ArcGIS Online, click “Create” and select “Web AppBuilder.”
2. **Choose a Template:** Select a suitable template for your application. The “Basic Viewer” template is a good starting point.
3. **Add Your Web Scene:** From the Add menu, select “Add Web Scene From ArcGIS Online.”
4. **Customize the App:** Web AppBuilder provides a drag-and-drop interface for adding widgets (tools) to your application. You can include features like a search bar, a measurement tool, a legend, and more.
5. **Branding and Appearance:** Customize the app’s colors, logo, and fonts to match your company’s brand identity.
6. **Share Your App:** Save and share your application with specific users or make it publicly accessible.

**A Supply Chain Scenario:** Imagine a logistics company needing to optimize delivery routes. A Web AppBuilder application built on a 3D scene could overlay delivery points on the terrain, visualize traffic conditions, and even factor in building heights for accurate routing.

## Beyond the Basics: Advanced Possibilities & Future Trends

The potential of 3D in GIS extends far beyond these basic examples. Here are some advanced capabilities and emerging trends:

* **Indoor Mapping & Navigation:** Combine 3D exterior scenes with detailed indoor maps for comprehensive spatial data.
* **Real-Time Data Integration:** Overlay live data feeds (e.g., traffic, weather, sensor data) onto your 3D scene for dynamic visualizations.
* **Augmented Reality (AR) & Virtual Reality (VR):** Extend your 3D scene to AR/VR platforms for truly immersive experiences.
* **Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning (ML):** Use AI/ML algorithms to analyze 3D data for pattern recognition, predictive modeling, and automated feature extraction. For instance, AI could automatically identify potential solar panel installation locations based on roof orientation and sun exposure in your 3D scene.
* **Digital Twins:** Digital twin technology creates a virtual representation of a physical object or system, allowing for real-time monitoring, simulation, and optimization. ArcGIS is becoming a central platform for building and managing digital twins, leveraging the power of 3D data.

## The Impact on Businesses: A Changing Landscape

These advancements aren’t just about cool technology. They represent a fundamental shift in how businesses approach spatial data.

* **Improved Decision-Making:** 3D visualizations provide a clearer understanding of complex spatial relationships, leading to more informed decisions.
* **Enhanced Collaboration:** Accessible web scenes and applications facilitate collaboration among stakeholders.
* **Increased Efficiency:** Optimized workflows and data-driven insights save time and resources.
* **Competitive Advantage:** Businesses that embrace 3D GIS innovation gain a significant edge over their competitors.

I’ve seen firsthand how these tools can transform a business. Near me, a local construction company was able to cut project planning time by 20% simply by using 3D scenes to visualize potential conflicts and optimize resource allocation. The impact was significant!

## Key Takeaways: Embracing the 3D Revolution

The ability to author and share 3D spatial data has never been easier. ArcGIS Pro 2.4 and ArcGIS Online, combined with tools like Scene Viewer and Web AppBuilder, empower businesses of all sizes to:

* Visualize data in a truly immersive and intuitive way.
* Gain deeper insights into spatial patterns and relationships.
* Improve decision-making and optimize workflows.
* Communicate complex information more effectively.
* Unlock new opportunities for innovation and growth.

Don’t be left behind in this rapidly evolving landscape. If you’re looking for ways to leverage the power of spatial data for your business, exploring the possibilities of 3D GIS is a great place to start.

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