Edit a multipatch or 3D object feature

The Vertices tool Edit Vertices can be used to edit multipatch and 3D object feature vertices, edges, and faces in a 3D scene. When you select a multipatch or 3D object feature layer, the corresponding tools and commands appear on the toolbar. This tool is available in the Modify Features pane.

Edit multipatch vertices

When you use this tool, consider the following:

  • 3D object snapping is enabled automatically. An orange square appears near the pointer when a snap agent is active. Line extensions appear as orange dashed lines and actively combine to snap to inferred intersections.
  • When you drag an edge or a face, the following axis constraints are available depending on the feature: perpendicular to the base face or to an adjacent face, in a direction taken as the average between two adjacent faces, or orthogonal to the x- or y-axis of the map.
  • To create multipatch or 3D object features, use the Create 3D Geometry tool Create 3D Geometry.

Move a vertex

To move a vertex, double-click the vertex and drag a 3D axis handle. Alternatively, you can use On-screen Constraints to type a value.

  1. Open a scene containing the multipatch or 3D object feature.
  2. Add your data and configure settings for editing.

    Confirm that the feature layer you are editing is editable, the coordinate system assigned to the active map is suitable for the type of edits you're performing, and snapping is configured to help you work efficiently and accurately.

  3. On the ribbon, click the Edit tab. In the Features group, click Modify Modify Features.
  4. Click Edit Vertices Edit Vertices in the Modify Features pane.

    To find the tool, expand Reshape, or type Vertices in the Search text box.

  5. Click the Select a feature tool Active Select in the tool pane and select a polyline or polygon feature.

    If you select more than one feature, reselect the feature. Alternatively, click the feature in the pane selection view to flash it in the map, right-click and click Only Select This List By Selection.

  6. Double-click the vertex.

    A 3D handle appears with x-, y-, and z-axes.

  7. Drag a 3D axis handle.

    Alternatively, turn on On-screen Constraints Constraints, drag the 3D handle along an axis, press the Tab key, and type the value in the on-screen text box.

  8. To finish the feature, click Finish Finish on the 3D editor toolbar, or press the F2 key.

Move an edge

To move an edge, drag the selection anchor along a 3D axis handle when the pointer changes to the move cursor. Alternatively, you can use On-screen Constraints to type a value.

  1. Open a scene containing the multipatch or 3D object feature.
  2. Add your data and configure settings for editing.

    Confirm that the feature layer you are editing is editable, the coordinate system assigned to the active map is suitable for the type of edits you're performing, and snapping is configured to help you work efficiently and accurately.

  3. On the ribbon, click the Edit tab. In the Features group, click Modify Modify Features.
  4. Click Edit Vertices Edit Vertices in the Modify Features pane.

    To find the tool, expand Reshape, or type Vertices in the Search text box.

  5. Click the Select a feature tool Active Select in the tool pane and select a polyline or polygon feature.

    If you select more than one feature, reselect the feature. Alternatively, click the feature in the pane selection view to flash it in the map, right-click and click Only Select This List By Selection.

  6. Drag the selection anchor along a 3D axis handle when the pointer changes to the move cursor.

    Alternatively, turn on On-screen Constraints Constraints, drag the 3D handle along an axis, press the Tab key, and type the value in the on-screen text box.

  7. To finish the feature, click Finish Finish on the 3D editor toolbar, or press the F2 key.

Move a face

To move a face, drag the selection anchor along a 3D axis handle when the pointer changes to the move cursor. Alternatively, you can use On-screen Constraints to type a value.

  1. Open a scene containing the multipatch or 3D object feature.
  2. Add your data and configure settings for editing.

    Confirm that the feature layer you are editing is editable, the coordinate system assigned to the active map is suitable for the type of edits you're performing, and snapping is configured to help you work efficiently and accurately.

  3. On the ribbon, click the Edit tab. In the Features group, click Modify Modify Features.
  4. Click Edit Vertices Edit Vertices in the Modify Features pane.

    To find the tool, expand Reshape, or type Vertices in the Search text box.

  5. Click the Select a feature tool Active Select in the tool pane and select a polyline or polygon feature.

    If you select more than one feature, reselect the feature. Alternatively, click the feature in the pane selection view to flash it in the map, right-click and click Only Select This List By Selection.

  6. Hover over the face you want to move.

    The selection anchor appears.

  7. Drag the selection anchor along a 3D axis handle when the pointer changes to the move cursor.

    Alternatively, turn on On-screen Constraints Constraints, drag the 3D handle along an axis, press the Tab key, and type the value in the on-screen text box.

    Note:

    To relocate the 3D anchor, press Ctrl and click the new location.

  8. To finish the feature, click Finish Finish on the 3D editor toolbar, or press the F2 key.

Split a face

To split a face, click one edge of the face to enter sketch mode and create the first vertex. Move the pointer and click the opposite edge.

  1. Open a scene containing the multipatch or 3D object feature.
  2. Add your data and configure settings for editing.

    Confirm that the feature layer you are editing is editable, the coordinate system assigned to the active map is suitable for the type of edits you're performing, and snapping is configured to help you work efficiently and accurately.

  3. On the ribbon, click the Edit tab. In the Features group, click Modify Modify Features.
  4. Click Edit Vertices Edit Vertices in the Modify Features pane.

    To find the tool, expand Reshape, or type Vertices in the Search text box.

  5. Click the Select a feature tool Active Select in the tool pane and select a polyline or polygon feature.

    If you select more than one feature, reselect the feature. Alternatively, click the feature in the pane selection view to flash it in the map, right-click and click Only Select This List By Selection.

  6. Hover over one edge of the face you are splitting until a 3D selection anchor appears on the edge you are editing.
  7. Click the edge to enter sketch mode and create the first vertex.
    Tip:

    To snap to the midpoint of the edge, hover until the X constraint appears on the edge, and click it.

  8. Move the pointer and click the opposite edge.

    As you drag the pointer across the face, active snapping and construction guides appear as you hover orthogonal to the x- or y-axis, parallel to other edges, and to midpoints and endpoints of edges.

    Tip:

    After the face is split, you can drag the new common edge vertically and create a ridge.

    The face splits into two faces.

  9. To finish the feature, click Finish Finish on the 3D editor toolbar, or press the F2 key.

Add a face

To add a face, click an existing face, draw a closed polygon face, and drag the 3D selection anchor specify the depth.

  1. Open a scene containing the multipatch or 3D object feature.
  2. Add your data and configure settings for editing.

    Confirm that the feature layer you are editing is editable, the coordinate system assigned to the active map is suitable for the type of edits you're performing, and snapping is configured to help you work efficiently and accurately.

  3. On the ribbon, click the Edit tab. In the Features group, click Modify Modify Features.
  4. Click Edit Vertices Edit Vertices in the Modify Features pane.

    To find the tool, expand Reshape, or type Vertices in the Search text box.

  5. Click the Select a feature tool Active Select in the tool pane and select a polyline or polygon feature.

    If you select more than one feature, reselect the feature. Alternatively, click the feature in the pane selection view to flash it in the map, right-click and click Only Select This List By Selection.

  6. Click an existing face.

    The tool enters sketch mode and creates the first point of the new face.

  7. Move the pointer and click the face until the new face is fully developed.

    Active 3D constraints appear and snap when you hover 90 degrees from the first edge, parallel or orthogonal to other edges.

    To enter direction and distance values, turn on On-screen Constraints Constraints. Press the Tab key, and type the value in the on-screen text box.

  8. Hover over the first point of the first segment.

    Notice the active endpoint constraint appears and snaps to the endpoint.

  9. Close the polygon by clicking the first endpoint of the first segment.

    Closing the polygon shades the new region and a 3D handle appears at its centroid.

  10. Drag the selection anchor to set the extrusion depth.

    Alternatively, turn on On-screen Constraints, drag the 3D handle along an axis, press the Tab key, and type the value in the on-screen text box.

    On-screen constraints
  11. To finish the feature, click Finish Finish on the 3D editor toolbar, or press the F2 key.

Delete a face

To delete a face, hover over the face until the selection anchor appears and press Delete.

  1. Open a scene containing the multipatch or 3D object feature.
  2. Add your data and configure settings for editing.

    Confirm that the feature layer you are editing is editable, the coordinate system assigned to the active map is suitable for the type of edits you're performing, and snapping is configured to help you work efficiently and accurately.

  3. On the ribbon, click the Edit tab. In the Features group, click Modify Modify Features.
  4. Click Edit Vertices Edit Vertices in the Modify Features pane.

    To find the tool, expand Reshape, or type Vertices in the Search text box.

  5. Click the Select a feature tool Active Select in the tool pane and select a polyline or polygon feature.

    If you select more than one feature, reselect the feature. Alternatively, click the feature in the pane selection view to flash it in the map, right-click and click Only Select This List By Selection.

  6. Hover over the face until the selection anchor appears and press Delete.

    The face highlights and a 3D handle appears at its centroid.

  7. To finish the feature, click Finish Finish on the 3D editor toolbar, or press the F2 key.

Cut a hole through a face

To cut a hole through a face, draw the polygon face representing the hole and press Delete.

  1. Open a scene containing the multipatch or 3D object feature.
  2. Add your data and configure settings for editing.

    Confirm that the feature layer you are editing is editable, the coordinate system assigned to the active map is suitable for the type of edits you're performing, and snapping is configured to help you work efficiently and accurately.

  3. On the ribbon, click the Edit tab. In the Features group, click Modify Modify Features.
  4. Click Edit Vertices Edit Vertices in the Modify Features pane.

    To find the tool, expand Reshape, or type Vertices in the Search text box.

  5. Click the Select a feature tool Active Select in the tool pane and select a polyline or polygon feature.

    If you select more than one feature, reselect the feature. Alternatively, click the feature in the pane selection view to flash it in the map, right-click and click Only Select This List By Selection.

  6. Click an existing face.

    The tool enters sketch mode and creates the first point of the new face.

  7. Move the pointer and click the face until the new face is fully developed.

    Active 3D constraints appear and snap when you hover 90 degrees from the first edge, parallel or orthogonal to other edges.

    To enter direction and distance values, turn on On-screen Constraints Constraints. Press the Tab key, and type the value in the on-screen text box.

  8. Hover over the first point of the first segment.

    Notice the active endpoint constraint appears and snaps to the endpoint.

  9. Close the polygon by clicking the first endpoint of the first segment.

    Closing the polygon shades the new region and a 3D handle appears at its centroid.

  10. Press the Delete key.

    Deleting the zero depth face cuts a hole through the existing face.

  11. To finish the feature, click Finish Finish on the 3D editor toolbar, or press the F2 key.