Share a web scene layer

From ArcGIS Pro, you can author and share web scene layers that are stored as items in your active portal. You can share 3D point, multipatch, building, and LAS datasets as a web scene layer from either a local or global scene.

Web scene layers can be published from either a scene layer package (.slpk) or an associated feature layer. You can interact with the data through pop-ups and can modify the symbology of the layer. Web scene layers with an associated feature layer provide richer statistics used for symbology, allow you to search and query for features not in the current view, and support editing workflows. For more information about how web scene layers are used, see What is a scene layer?

Sharing a web scene layer requires the privilege to publish hosted scene layers. Sharing a web scene layer with an associated feature layer that copies all data to ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Enterprise additionally requires the privilege to publish hosted feature layers. Sharing a web scene layer that references registered data to ArcGIS Enterprise requires the privilege to publish server-based layers.

Web scene layers are published in the projection of your scene. If you plan to consume the web scene layer in existing web scenes, ensure the scene is in the correct projection. Additional guidelines for authoring 3D feature layers for publishing are outlined in Operational layers.

A web scene layer can only be displayed once visualization caching is complete. You can monitor the cache status from the Job Status pane or the item details page.

Share a web scene layer using the default configuration

This workflow explains how to share a web scene layer with default settings. To change the default configuration, see Configure a web scene layer.

  1. Open a 3D scene.
  2. Select the multipatch, building, point, or LAS dataset layer in the 3D Layers category of the Contents pane. Right-click the selected layer, point to the Sharing menu and click Share As Web Layer Share As Web Layer.

    The Share As Web Layer pane appears.

  3. Provide a name for the web layer.
  4. Complete the Summary and Tags fields.
  5. If your active portal is ArcGIS Online, optionally, check the Feature check box to include an associated feature layer with your web scene layer.

    The web scene layer is cached online.

    If your active portal is an ArcGIS Enterprise portal and you want the web scene layer to reference registered data sources, click Scene under Reference registered data. A map image layer and feature layer are automatically included when referencing registered data.

    If you click Scene under Copy all data instead, the layer is cached locally, and a scene layer package is created and shared to your portal. The web scene layer is published from the scene layer package. Optionally, check the Feature check box to include an associated feature layer. The web scene layer is cached on the server.

  6. Under Location, use the Folder menu to choose a folder in your portal content in which to store the web layer. Optionally create a folder.

    By default, the web layer is stored at the root level of your portal content.

    Tip:

    Click the Browse button Browse to browse to a folder in your portal content. You can also type a folder name in the text box.

  7. If you are sharing a web scene layer that references registered data, use the Server and Folder drop-down menu to specify which folder the map image layer and associated feature layer will be published to on the hosting server. If the folder does not already exist, type in the name of the desired folder.
  8. Under Share with, specify how the web layer will be shared:
    • Everyone—This option makes your content public. Anyone can access and see it.
    • My Organization—This option allows your content to be shared with all authenticated users in the organization.
    • Groups—This option allows you to share your content with groups to which you belong and their members.

    Leave all options unchecked to set the sharing level to the owner of the item.

  9. Optionally click the Content tab to see the folder structure and sublayers of the web layer.
  10. Under Finish Sharing, click Analyze to check for problems.

    Errors and warnings are listed on the Messages tab. Right-click a message to open its help topic or take corrective action in the software. Errors Error must be resolved before you can share the web layer. Resolving warnings Warning is recommended but not required.

    Learn more about analyzing GIS resources.

  11. Note:

    When sharing a web scene layer with an associated feature layer, analyzers will be issued for both layers.

  12. After you have resolved errors, and optionally resolved warnings, click Publish to share the web layer.
  13. The web scene layer cannot be viewed until caching is complete. When configured to cache on the server, caching will continue after the web scene layer is shared successfully. To view the cache generation status, do the following:
    • Click the Jobs button to view the cache generation status of the published web scene layer in the Job Status pane.
    • Click the Manage the web layer link to administer the web layer and view the cache status from the item details page.

Considerations when sharing to older portals

Although web scene layers can be shared to ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Enterprise, and Portal for ArcGIS 10.3.1 and later, not all functionality is supported when sharing to each version. Listed below are limitations when sharing to older versions.

ArcGIS Enterprise 10.7.1 and earlier

  • Preserve editor tracking info is not available.

ArcGIS Enterprise 10.6.1 and earlier

  • Sharing building layers as web scene layers is not supported.

ArcGIS Enterprise 10.6 and earlier

  • When referencing registered data, layers must be sourced from an enterprise geodatabase.

ArcGIS Enterprise 10.5.1 and earlier

  • Editing operations are not available when sharing multipatch data.
  • Data options are not available, all data will be copied.

ArcGIS Enterprise 10.5 and Portal for ArcGIS 10.4.1 and earlier

  • The option to cache locally is not available.

Portal for ArcGIS 10.3.1

  • Sharing 3D point layers as web scene layers is not supported.
  • Web scene layers cannot be shared from local scenes.

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