Edit 3D objects by directly accessing model files

A key benefit of 3D objects is the ability to exchange and co-author them with other industry professionals using 3D editing platforms. The reference geometry can be replicated in multiple 3D formats and edited directly in a 3D Objects folder on your file system.

The following sections outline a basic workflow for editing 3D object model files outside of ArcGIS Pro.

Note:

The following are required:

• Windows 10 build number 1809 or higher
• Windows Projected Files System enabled
• ArcGIS Pro open and running while accessing, updating, or replacing the 3D model file
• Knowledge of the feature layer name and the object ID (OID)
• A third-party application installed and licensed

Enable Windows Projected File System

Turn on the Windows Projected File System option to enable the virtual 3D Objects folder where 3D object files are opened and edited using a third-party editing application.

1. In the Windows task bar, click the Search command, and type turn features.
2. Click Turn Windows features on or off.

   

3. Check Windows Projected File System.

   

4. Click OK.

Open the project

Open the project to show the 3D object in the 3D Objects folder on the Windows file system. If the 3D object does not appear in the folder, add the 3D format to the feature that your third-party application requires.

Note:

ArcGIS Pro must remain open while accessing, updating, or replacing the 3D model file.

1. Start ArcGIS Pro and open the project containing the 3D object feature you want to edit using the third-party application.

   This shows the virtual 3D Objects folder in File Explorer.

2. Using File Explorer, navigate to the subfolder and confirm the 3D object exists in the 3D format your third-party application requires.

   The file can be found in the folder with the ArcGIS Pro layer name and Object ID.

   Tip:

   Use the Attributes pane to identify the layer name and object ID.

3. If the 3D format does not appear in theWindows 3D Objects folder, add it with the Add 3D Formats To Multipatch tool.
   1. On the Analysis tab, in the Geoprocessing group, click Tools .
   2. In the search box, type add 3d and click Add 3D Formats To Multipatch.
   3. Click the Input Feature drop-down arrow and choose the multipatch feature layer you want to replicate in the Windows folder.

      

      Tip:

      The Windows 3D Objects folder is typically located on the C drive, for example: C:\Users\<username>\3D Objects. On Windows 10, you can click This PC in File Explorer. If this folder doesn’t exist on Windows 11, manually create it in this location.

   4. In the 3D Formats to Add section, check the formats you are editing with the third-party application.
   5. Click Run .

Edit the 3D model file in place

To edit the 3D model file in place, complete the following steps:

Tip:

Alternatively, you can copy the 3D model file to another location, edit the 3D object using a third-party application, and then replace the file in the originating 3D Objects folder with the same file name.

1. Start the third-party application and navigate to the subfolder with the ArcGIS Pro layer name and object ID.
   • To open the file directly in the folder, right-click the file, click Open with, and click the third-party editing application name. If the editing application is already open, drag the file into application.
2. Edit the 3D object.
3. Save the 3D model file in the same location with the same name.