Define height characteristics for layers

For spatial data to be displayed in 3D, you need to set height options. This including defining the feature layer's base height and vertical units as well as optionally defining a cartographic offset. Base heights determine the lowest elevation of features in the layer. A cartographic offset can be applied to adjust where features are drawn vertically relative to the base height.

2D and 3D categories of a scene

The Contents pane of scenes includes two sections: 2D Layers and 3D Layers. Layers in the 2D section are on the ground, at an absolute height, or on a custom surface. Layers in 3D can be relative to ground and relative to a custom surface. 3D symbols can be applied only to layers in the 3D Layers category. You can drag layers from one category to another in the Contents pane. Different elevation modes are available for layers, depending on whether the layer is in the 2D Layers category or the 3D Layers category.

Vertical coordinate systems

It's important to define a vertical coordinate system when working with 3D data. If the data source of a layer has a vertical coordinate system defined, the elevation unit of the layer is the same as the linear unit of the vertical coordinate system.

Tip:

To see the vertical coordinate system defined for your data source, or to see if your data source has a vertical coordinate system defined, right-click the layer in the Contents pane, and click Properties. On the Layer Properties dialog box, click the Source tab and expand the Spatial Reference heading.

When importing an ArcScene (*.sxd file), an ArcGlobe(*.3dd file), or opening an older ArcGIS Pro project (*.aprx file) prior to ArcGIS Pro 1.4, the elevation unit is not set to the vertical unit of the vertical coordinate system of the data source. Use the Project tool to project the data to another coordinate system if necessary.

Elevation types

To set the elevation properties for a layer, right-click the layer in the Contents pane and click Properties. On the Layer Properties dialog box, click the Elevation tab. The following options are available:

  • On the ground Elevation Ground: For features that are situated at ground level, such as trees.

    Feature on the ground

  • Relative to the ground Elevation Relative To Ground: For features that are placed at a known height above the ground, such as security camera positions on the side of a building.

    Feature relative to the ground

  • At an absolute height Elevation Absolute Height: For features that occur at a constant height above a datum, regardless of ground elevation, such as airplanes. In addition, you can add a vertical exaggeration to the absolute height. This way, you can make differences in the elevation more prominent. For elevation surfaces, you set the vertical exaggeration as a property of the map . In the case where a feature layer doesn't have geometry z-values, this option is not available when setting additional feature elevation.

    Feature at absolute height

  • On a custom surface Elevation On Custom: For features that occur on a surface not represented by ground level, such as a well site intersection on a subsurface geologic plane. You can choose a custom elevation surface from a list of defined surfaces in the scene. You need a custom elevation surface to use this option.

    Feature on custom surface

  • Relative to a custom surface Elevation Relative Custom: Where additional height values are added to the feature's location on a custom surface. You need a custom elevation surface to use this option.

    Feature relative to custom surface

Cartographic offset

A cartographic offset vertically adjusts the z-value of the entire layer. This raises or lowers all features in the layer by a given height. It is useful for cartographically elevating a set of features in a scene to make them more visible. For example, you can raise point symbols representing fire stations off the ground so they aren't obstructed by surrounding buildings.

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