Authoring 3D Layers and Creating Web Scenes in ArcGIS Online

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# Bringing Your Vision to Life: Leveraging 3D and ArcGIS Online for Business Success

For years, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) felt locked away, the domain of cartographers and urban planners. Complex software, steep learning curves…it wasn’t exactly approachable for businesses wanting to visualize data and tell compelling stories. But that’s changed. Dramatically. With advances in web technology and intuitive platforms like ArcGIS Online, coupled with the power of 3D authoring in ArcGIS Pro, creating immersive, interactive experiences with your data has become surprisingly accessible.

In fact, the opportunity to utilize 3D geospatial data has evolved from a «nice-to-have» to a crucial component for many organizations seeking an edge in decision-making, client engagement, and overall strategic planning. I’m going to walk you through how these tools work, and crucially, *why* they matter for your bottom line.

**The Game Changer: What’s New with ArcGIS Pro 2.4 and ArcGIS Online?**

Let’s be real. Historically, getting 3D content *online* was a headache. A lot of processing, careful exporting, and hoping everything translated correctly. But the team at Esri has been working hard to simplify this process. The latest iteration, ArcGIS Pro 2.4, combined with the seamless integration into ArcGIS Online, means you can now publish complex 3D scenes with a single click.

That’s not an exaggeration. One click.

This isn’t just about convenience. It’s about unlocking potential. It’s about taking your data beyond flat maps and spreadsheets and presenting it in a way that truly resonates with your audience. Imagine showing potential investors a detailed 3D model of a proposed development, allowing them to virtually walk the streets and experience the project firsthand. Or visualize infrastructure challenges for stakeholders, demonstrating the impact of decisions clearly and effectively. These capabilities are no longer futuristic fantasies; they are readily available today.

I remember when I first started working with GIS, publishing a simple 3D layer could take hours of troubleshooting. The thought of creating a full-fledged web scene was daunting. Now, I can rapidly prototype and deploy dynamic 3D visualizations, freeing up my time to focus on the insights the data reveals, rather than battling the software.

## Why Should Your Business Care About 3D Geospatial Data?

Let’s get down to brass tacks. Why should you invest time and resources into exploring 3D geospatial capabilities? Here are just a few compelling reasons:

* **Enhanced Visualization:** 3D models provide a far more intuitive understanding of spatial relationships than traditional 2D maps. This is particularly valuable for complex projects.
* **Improved Communication:** Interactive 3D scenes are incredibly effective at communicating information to both technical and non-technical audiences. A picture (or a 3D scene) is worth a thousand words.
* **Data-Driven Decision Making:** Combining 3D visualizations with powerful analytical tools allows you to identify patterns, trends, and potential risks that might be missed on a flat map.
* **Increased Engagement:** Immersive experiences capture attention and foster a deeper connection with your data.
* **Competitive Advantage:** Businesses that embrace 3D geospatial technologies are positioning themselves as innovators and leaders in their respective fields.

**Industries Primed for 3D Geospatial Transformation:**

While the applications are broad, some industries are particularly well-suited to leveraging these tools:

* **Real Estate & Development:** Showcase properties, visualize proposed developments, and assess neighborhood characteristics.
* **Urban Planning:** Simulate the impact of new infrastructure, analyze traffic patterns, and improve resource allocation.
* **Architecture & Construction:** Collaborate on designs, manage construction projects, and ensure compliance with regulations.
* **Engineering:** Model complex infrastructure systems, analyze terrain data, and optimize designs.
* **Energy & Utilities:** Visualize pipelines and power lines, assess environmental risks, and manage asset maintenance.
* **Environmental Management:** Model watershed dynamics, track pollution sources, and visualize conservation areas.
* **Tourism and Hospitality:** Create immersive virtual tours, highlight attractions, and improve visitor experiences.

## A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your First 3D Web Scene

Okay, let’s roll up our sleeves and get practical. I’ll take you through the process step-by-step, mirroring the workflow used by the Esri tutorial referenced about creating 3D content in ArcGIS Enterprise. The goal is to demonstrate how you can achieve similar results in ArcGIS Online.

**1. Setting Up Your Project in ArcGIS Pro**

First, you’ll need ArcGIS Pro 2.4 (or later) installed and an ArcGIS Online organizational account that supports publishing hosted layers. The account will need permissions to publish data to ArcGIS Online.

* **Launch ArcGIS Pro:** Open the software and create a new project.
* **Select the “Local Scene” Template:** This is crucial. You’re building a 3D environment.
* **Name Your Project:** Give it a descriptive name (e.g., “Portland3DScene”).

**2. Preparing Your Base Layers**

You need a foundation for your 3D scene – terrain and potentially a base map.

* **Remove Default Layers:** Out-of-the-box, ArcGIS Pro includes cached layers like «World Topographic» and «World Elevation.» These are great for getting started, but they’re in a different spatial reference. For accuracy and compatibility, remove these using the right-click menu.
* **Add Raster Terrain:** I’m using the «Portland\_Topo» raster dataset. Click «Add Data» in the “Map” tab. Browse to your data source and add the raster.
* **Add Elevation Data:** In the “Elevation” sources pane, right-click «Ground» and select «Add Elevation Source.» Add the Digital Terrain Model (DTM) to establish the height component of your scene.

**3. Building in 3D: Creating Multipatch Features**

This is where things get really interesting. We’ll transform 2D building footprints into realistic 3D structures.

* **Add Building Footprints:** Use «Add Data» to import your building footprint layer. A shapefile or geodatabase feature class works well.
* **Extrude the Buildings:** Drag the «Buildings» layer from the «2D Layers» group in the Contents pane to the «3D Layers» group. Right-click the layer and select «Properties.»
* **Apply Elevation:** In the «Elevation» tab of the Properties window, set «Features are» to «On the Ground.» This ensures your buildings start at the correct elevation.
* **Adjust Building Heights:** Now, the buildings might be flat. We need to give them height. Select «Base Height» as the feature extrusion type. Click the «Expression» button. Here’s where the magic happens: enter the expression `[ROOF_ELEV] — [SURF_ADJ]`. This calculates the height of each building by subtracting the adjusted surface elevation from its roof elevation. Make sure the «Unit» is set to «Feet» (or the appropriate unit for your data).

**4. Enhancing Realism: Creating and Styling Trees**

Let’s add some greenery and bring our scene to life.

* **Add the Trees Layer:** Bring in your tree point layer. Initially, it will appear as 2D symbols.
* **Style as 3D Objects:** Click on the trees layer to open the design pane. Choose «3D Styles.» Select “3D Object.”
* **Choose a Tree Model:** A fantastic library of Esri-provided web styles is available. Explore and select a tree model that fits the aesthetic of your scene. I often use the «Schematic Vegetation» option, which allows for customization.
* **Drive Height with Attributes:** This is key. Use the «TREE\_HEIGHT» attribute in your data to control the height of the trees in the scene. Make sure the unit of measurement (Feet) is correct.

**5. Refining Your Scene: Clipping and Visual Adjustments**

Pay attention to the details.

* **Clip to Extent:** Right-click on “Scene” in the Contents pane and select “Properties”. Under “Clip Layers”, choose “Clip to a custom extent” and select your terrain layer (e.g., «Portland\_Topo») to ensure your scene focuses on the area of interest.
* **Adjust Layer Transparency:** Play with the transparency of different layers to achieve the desired visual balance.
* **Experiment with Lighting:** Try different lighting settings (brightness, direction, color) to enhance the visual impact of your scene.

**6. The One-Click Wonder: Publishing to ArcGIS Online**

This is where the new features in ArcGIS Pro 2.4 truly shine.

* **Go to the «Share» Tab:** Click on the «Share» tab in the ArcGIS Pro ribbon.
* **Click «Web Scene»:** This initiates the publishing process.
* **Configure Publishing Options:** The «Share» pane will display all the layers you’re about to publish. Here, you can configure things like editing capabilities and level of detail (LOD) for tile and elevation layers.
* **Review and Publish:** Review your settings and click «Share» to begin publishing. ArcGIS Pro will handle the complexities of converting your local scene into a web-accessible format.

**7. Polishing Your Scene in Scene Viewer**

Once published to ArcGIS Online, you can further refine your scene using the Scene Viewer.

* **Styling with Smart Mapping:** Scene Viewer’s smart mapping tools are immensely powerful. I like to use the «Types» renderer to style buildings based on attributes like «Maintaining Agency,» creating a visually distinct representation of different ownership groups.
* **Customizing Tree Appearance** Fine-tune the tree layer. You can adjust the tree type, color, and scale in Scene Viewer.
* **Leveraging Pop-Ups:** Ensure that your layers have informative pop-ups that provide users with relevant details when they click on features. Pop-ups are a crucial element of interactivity.
* **Adding Slides and Daylight:** This creates a dynamic experience. Use the sunlight tool to alter the scene’s lighting conditions for a more realistic look and feeling. Save the sunlight positions as «slides» to create a transition effect.

## From Scene to Solution: Building a Web App

Don’t stop at a beautiful 3D web scene. Turn it into a fully functional web application.

* **Web AppBuilder:** The fastest and easiest way to build a web app from a web scene.
* **Configure Your App:** Choose a template, add widgets (interactive tools) like measurement tools, search boxes, and attribute tables.
* **Link to Your Web Scene:** Add your published web scene to the app as the base map.
* **Customize the User Experience:** Adjust the layout, colors, and widgets to create a personalized experience for your users.

## Beyond the Basics: Advanced Techniques for 3D Geospatial Success

Once you’ve mastered the core workflow, consider exploring these advanced techniques:

* **Integrating Real-Time Data:** Connect your 3D scene to real-time data feeds (e.g., traffic sensors, weather stations) to create dynamic and responsive visualizations.
* **Using ArcGIS Insights:** Combine 3D geospatial data with other datasets in ArcGIS Insights to perform advanced statistical analysis and uncover hidden patterns.
* **Developing Custom Widgets:** For Web AppBuilder, Extend its functionality by creating custom widgets that meet your specific needs.
* **Leveraging ArcGIS Runtime SDKs:** Build native 3D applications for desktop and mobile platforms using the ArcGIS Runtime SDKs.
* **Using drone imagery** Integrate high-resolution drone imagery and point clouds directly into your web scenes for unmatched detail.

## The Future is 3D: Staying Ahead of the Curve

The world is becoming increasingly 3D, and our ability to visualize and interact with spatial data is evolving rapidly. Continued investment in 3D geospatial technologies is not just about keeping up with the Joneses; it’s about preparing your business for the future.

I encourage you to explore the full potential of ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online. Start small, experiment, and don’t be afraid to push the boundaries of what’s possible. The benefits – increased understanding, improved communication, and data-driven decision-making – are well worth the effort.

If you have questions about applying these concepts to your specific business needs, or if you’d like to discuss how 3D geospatial technologies can help you achieve your goals, I’m always happy to chat.

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