ESRI China (Hong Kong) Limited

Transcription

1 Tips for Creating 3D Graphics in ArcScene 9.x Article ID : Software : ArcGIS 3D Analyst 9.x Platform : Windows 2000, Windows XP Date : June 28, 2005 Background Prior to ArcGIS Desktop 9.0, we cannot draw 3D graphics into scenes. But now, we can draw 3D graphics and text directly into scenes using the new 3D Graphics toolbar in ArcGIS 3D Analyst 9.x. 3D graphics and text enhance the visualization of your scenes or 3D maps. You can draw points, lines, polygons, and 3D text to highlight parts of your scene. For example, you may want to define a study area by enclosing it with a line or polygon boundary or label buildings with text indicating their names, or you have some data pertaining to a strange phenomenon that has been occurring in the area. This article provides you with steps of creating 3D points, lines, polygons and text over your terrain surface (TIN surface). Procedures 1 Opening the 3D Graphics toolbar 1.1 Open ArcScene 1.2 Click Tool > Customize to open the Customize dialog 1.3 Check 3D Graphics in the Toolbars tab 1.4 3D Graphics toolbar will appear, click Close All rights reserved. P. 1 of 6

2 2 Create a new Graphics Layer 2.1 Click Graphics > New Graphics Layer on the 3D Graphics toolbar 2.2 You will see that there is a new layer added in the TOC, you can rename it by clicking on the name 3 Add a surface layer to ArcScene 3.1 Add your TIN data by using the Add Data button All rights reserved. P. 2 of 6

3 4 Activate the graphics layer 4.1 Click Graphics > Active Graphics Layer Target, and make sure the newly created graphics layer is activated 5 Add a 3D Marker on the surface 5.1 Select the New Marker tool on the 3D Graphics toolbar 5.2 Click on the position you want to place the Marker Symbol, a new Marker Symbol will be created (Black point, by default) 5.3 Use the Select Graphics tool to select the Marker, right-click and choose Properties All rights reserved. P. 3 of 6

4 5.4 In the Properties dialog, click Change Symbol, then click Properties to open Symbol Property Editor 5.5 Select 3D Simple Marker Symbol in the Type combo box 5.6 Select your desired style for the 3D symbol, e.g. Tetrahedron 5.7 Select the color for the 3D symbol 5.8 Set the dimensions for the 3D symbol 5.9 Having completed all settings, then click OK buttons on all dialogs The marker symbol will be changed to the chosen 3D style. Below is a sample output. 6 Add a 3D Line on the surface 6.1 Select the New Line tool on the 3D Graphics toolbar 6.2 Click on the position where you want to place the start point of the line and double click at the end point to finish drawing. 6.3 Then follow the steps described in step 5.3 to 5.9, but this time, select 3D Simple Line Symbol All rights reserved. P. 4 of 6

5 6.4 Below is a sample output 7 Add a 3D Polygon on the surface 7.1 Select the New Polygon tool on the 3D Graphics toolbar 7.2 Click on the position where you want to place the start point of the polygon and double click at the end point to finish drawing. 7.3 Then follow the steps described in step 5.3 to 5.9, but this time, select 3D Texture Fill Symbol 7.4 Below is a sample output 8 Add 3D Text on the surface 8.1 Select the 3D Text tool on the 3D Graphics toolbar 8.2 Click on the position where you want to add the text 8.3 Having clicked, a text box will appear, input your text in the textbox 8.4 Press Enter when you finished, you will see the 3D text is added in the scene All rights reserved. P. 5 of 6

6 8.5 Use the Select Graphics tool to select the text, right-click and choose Properties 8.6 Then change the 3D Text properties, such as font, size, color 8.7 Below is a sample output 9 Save the graphics layer as.lyr 9.1 Right click the graphics layer, and click Save As Layer File to save it as a.lyr file. You can then distribute this layer file for other users to display your 3D graphics settings. 9.2 Please be note that the.lyr file, which saves the graphics, can only be opened in ArcScene, but not in ArcMap. The End All rights reserved. P. 6 of 6