3D z-value reference for editing

This ArcGIS 2.9 documentation has been archived and is no longer updated. Content and links may be outdated. See the latest documentation.

When you create or modify z-enabled features, z-values are applied in different ways depending on the editing scenario and the tool you are using. The following tables describe how and when z-values are derived, interpolated, or preserved.

Tools that use elevation settings

Editing scenario or toolHow z-values are assigned

Create a new z-enabled feature using tools in the Create Features pane.

Create new feature

By default, z-values are applied to new features in the following ways:

  • In maps, the default z-value is set to zero (0).
  • In scenes, z-values are derived from the active elevation surface when you click the scene.

For detailed steps that show you how to input z-values, see Specify an elevation for 3D features.

Copy Copy

Cut Cut

Paste Paste

Paste Special

Copy and paste

Existing z-values are preserved and copied to the new feature. If the copied feature is not z-enabled, then the pasted feature is assigned the default z-value configured for the layer in the map or scene.

Tools that modify z-values

Editing scenario or toolHow z-values are assigned

Add Vertex Add Vertex

Insert vertex

The angular pitch of the line segment is preserved and the new vertex is assigned an interpolated z-value.

Extend a polyline.

Extend polyline

The angular pitch of the line segment is preserved and the new vertex is assigned an interpolated z-value.

Change Length Trim to Length

Trim polyline

The angular pitch of the line segment is preserved and the new vertex is assigned an interpolated z-value.

Split Line Split Line

Split polyline

The angular pitch of the line segment is preserved and the new vertex is assigned an interpolated z-value.

Reshape Reshape

Reshape

The z-values of the existing feature and the new geometry are preserved. New vertices are assigned the z-values of the new geometry.

Split Polygon Split

Split polygon

The z-values of the existing feature and the cutting line are preserved. New vertices along the cut are assigned the z-values of the cutting line.

Autocomplete Polygon Auto-Complete Polygon

Autocomplete Freehand Polygon Auto-Complete Freehand

Autocomplete polygons

The z-values of the existing feature and the new feature are preserved. New vertices created to maintain coincidence boundaries are interpolated.

Tools that preserve z-values

Editing scenario or toolHow z-values are assigned

Move Move

Move

The existing z-values are preserved.

Rotate Rotate

Rotate

The existing z-values are preserved.

Move a vertex by dragging it.

Move vertex

The existing z-values are preserved.