3D z-value reference for editing

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 (extrapolated) 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.