Use 2D Data to Create a 3D World

Use your existing 2D GIS datasets to create highly interactive 3D scenarios that can be stored, viewed, and edited later in 2D or 3D. You can use attributes, such as elevation, to display the data at a preset height; or use attributes to extrude the data.

Powerful geoprocessing gives you the ability to create 3D data for viewing and analyzing volumes as well as many surfaces, such as terrains, elevations, and Lidar.

Easy Access to Existing 3D Data

The Web is rich with GIS data that can be accessed and used immediately. ArcGIS Online is a great place to access basemaps, imagery, elevations, and demographic maps for creating your 3D views. Esri CityEngine and Esri partners such as Pictometry, Blom, TeleAtlas, and VirtualCity provide ready-made 3D city models that can be loaded directly into ArcGIS.

Symbols Go 3D

ArcGIS 3D Analyst includes over 500 3D symbols to show trees or fire hydrants, for example, as point features, grass or water for polygon features, and tubes or texture lines for line features. 3D model formats such as COLLADA, SketchUp, 3D Studio, and OpenFlight symbolize GIS features and orient them using GIS attributes to augment your 3D view.