{"id":910,"date":"2026-10-12T07:53:41","date_gmt":"2026-10-12T07:53:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/?p=910"},"modified":"2026-10-12T07:53:41","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T07:53:41","slug":"3d-scene-arcgis-pro-2d-features","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/3d-scene-arcgis-pro-2d-features\/","title":{"rendered":"3D Scene Creation in ArcGIS Pro: Converting 2D Features into Elevation-Aware Models"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/3d-scene-arcgis-pro-2d-features\/#3D_Scene_Creation_in_ArcGIS_Pro_Converting_2D_Features_into_Elevation-Aware_Models\" >3D Scene Creation in ArcGIS Pro: Converting 2D Features into Elevation-Aware Models<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-2' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/3d-scene-arcgis-pro-2d-features\/#1_Introduction_Why_Create_3D_GIS_Scenes\" >1. Introduction: Why Create 3D GIS Scenes?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/3d-scene-arcgis-pro-2d-features\/#2_Setting_Up_Your_Environment_Global_vs_Local_Scenes\" >2. Setting Up Your Environment: Global vs. Local Scenes<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/3d-scene-arcgis-pro-2d-features\/#Global_Scene\" >Global Scene<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/3d-scene-arcgis-pro-2d-features\/#Local_Scene\" >Local Scene<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/3d-scene-arcgis-pro-2d-features\/#Prepare_your_source_data\" >Prepare your source data<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/3d-scene-arcgis-pro-2d-features\/#3_Step_1_Convert_a_2D_Map_into_a_3D_Local_Scene\" >3. Step 1: Convert a 2D Map into a 3D Local Scene<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/3d-scene-arcgis-pro-2d-features\/#Procedure\" >Procedure<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/3d-scene-arcgis-pro-2d-features\/#Understand_the_Contents_pane\" >Understand the Contents pane<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/3d-scene-arcgis-pro-2d-features\/#Navigate_the_scene\" >Navigate the scene<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/3d-scene-arcgis-pro-2d-features\/#4_Step_2_Set_the_Ground_Elevation_Surface_Using_a_DEM\" >4. Step 2: Set the Ground Elevation Surface Using a DEM<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/3d-scene-arcgis-pro-2d-features\/#Option_A_Use_a_DEM_stored_on_your_computer\" >Option A: Use a DEM stored on your computer<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/3d-scene-arcgis-pro-2d-features\/#Option_B_Use_an_online_elevation_service\" >Option B: Use an online elevation service<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/3d-scene-arcgis-pro-2d-features\/#Check_the_elevation_units\" >Check the elevation units<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/3d-scene-arcgis-pro-2d-features\/#Adjust_vertical_exaggeration\" >Adjust vertical exaggeration<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/3d-scene-arcgis-pro-2d-features\/#5_Step_3_Drape_Vector_Layers_onto_the_Terrain\" >5. Step 3: Drape Vector Layers onto the Terrain<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/3d-scene-arcgis-pro-2d-features\/#51_Drape_roads_and_land-use_polygons\" >5.1 Drape roads and land-use polygons<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/3d-scene-arcgis-pro-2d-features\/#52_Fix_layers_that_appear_to_float_or_sink\" >5.2 Fix layers that appear to float or sink<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/3d-scene-arcgis-pro-2d-features\/#53_Style_draped_layers\" >5.3 Style draped layers<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/3d-scene-arcgis-pro-2d-features\/#6_Step_4_Extrude_Building_Footprints_Using_Height_Attributes\" >6. Step 4: Extrude Building Footprints Using Height Attributes<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/3d-scene-arcgis-pro-2d-features\/#61_Inspect_the_building_attributes\" >6.1 Inspect the building attributes<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/3d-scene-arcgis-pro-2d-features\/#62_Enable_extrusion\" >6.2 Enable extrusion<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/3d-scene-arcgis-pro-2d-features\/#63_Choose_suitable_extrusion_settings\" >6.3 Choose suitable extrusion settings<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/3d-scene-arcgis-pro-2d-features\/#64_Apply_realistic_3D_symbology\" >6.4 Apply realistic 3D symbology<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/3d-scene-arcgis-pro-2d-features\/#7_Step_5_Apply_Lighting_Shadows_and_Scene_Presentation\" >7. Step 5: Apply Lighting, Shadows, and Scene Presentation<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-26\" href=\"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/3d-scene-arcgis-pro-2d-features\/#71_Adjust_scene_lighting\" >7.1 Adjust scene lighting<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-27\" href=\"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/3d-scene-arcgis-pro-2d-features\/#72_Use_shadows_to_explain_space\" >7.2 Use shadows to explain space<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-28\" href=\"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/3d-scene-arcgis-pro-2d-features\/#73_Choose_the_right_viewing_mode\" >7.3 Choose the right viewing mode<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-29\" href=\"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/3d-scene-arcgis-pro-2d-features\/#8_Performance_Tips_Managing_GPU_Usage_and_Rendering_Speed\" >8. Performance Tips: Managing GPU Usage and Rendering Speed<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-30\" href=\"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/3d-scene-arcgis-pro-2d-features\/#Improve_performance\" >Improve performance<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-31\" href=\"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/3d-scene-arcgis-pro-2d-features\/#9_Conclusion_and_Exporting_Options\" >9. Conclusion and Exporting Options<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-32\" href=\"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/3d-scene-arcgis-pro-2d-features\/#Option_A_Save_the_ArcGIS_Pro_project\" >Option A: Save the ArcGIS Pro project<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-33\" href=\"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/3d-scene-arcgis-pro-2d-features\/#Option_B_Export_a_fly-through_animation\" >Option B: Export a fly-through animation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-34\" href=\"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/3d-scene-arcgis-pro-2d-features\/#Option_C_Share_an_interactive_web_scene\" >Option C: Share an interactive web scene<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-35\" href=\"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/3d-scene-arcgis-pro-2d-features\/#Final_quality-control_checklist\" >Final quality-control checklist<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3D_Scene_Creation_in_ArcGIS_Pro_Converting_2D_Features_into_Elevation-Aware_Models\"><\/span>3D Scene Creation in ArcGIS Pro: Converting 2D Features into Elevation-Aware Models<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Introduction_Why_Create_3D_GIS_Scenes\"><\/span>1. Introduction: Why Create 3D GIS Scenes?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>When learning how to build a <b data-path-to-node=\"1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"30\">3D Scene ArcGIS Pro 2D features<\/b> project, analysts must first understand the transition from flat 2D surfaces to elevation-aware models.Traditional GIS maps display geographic information on a flat, two-dimensional surface. Although 2D maps are effective for presenting spatial distributions, they cannot always communicate the height, shape, or vertical relationships of real-world features.<\/p>\n<p>For example, a 2D urban map can show roads and building footprints, but it cannot easily demonstrate how tall buildings are, how they relate to surrounding terrain, or how a proposed structure may affect views from nearby locations.<\/p>\n<p><strong>3D GIS visualization<\/strong> introduces the vertical dimension into spatial analysis, making geographic relationships easier to understand and communicate.<\/p>\n<p>ArcGIS Pro provides a 3D scene environment in which you can combine terrain elevation, building footprints, roads, land-use polygons, satellite imagery, and 3D symbols.<\/p>\n<p>Common applications include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Urban planning:<\/strong> Visualizing building heights, development density, and proposed construction.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Environmental impact assessment:<\/strong> Examining terrain, vegetation, and the visual context of proposed infrastructure.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Flood risk communication:<\/strong> Displaying terrain in 3D and visualizing water-level scenarios when supported by suitable elevation and modelling data.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Student presentations:<\/strong> Turning conventional GIS layers into interactive scenes that communicate spatial relationships more intuitively.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Infrastructure planning:<\/strong> Examining roads, buildings, and terrain together to understand potential design constraints.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This guide demonstrates how to transform a conventional 2D GIS project into an elevation-aware 3D scene in ArcGIS Pro, using a local study area as an example.<\/p>\n<p>The workflow covers scene creation, <a href=\"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/idw-vs-kriging-gis\/\">elevation surfaces<\/a>, draping, building extrusion, lighting, performance optimization, and exporting your final work.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Setting_Up_Your_Environment_Global_vs_Local_Scenes\"><\/span>2. Setting Up Your Environment: Global vs. Local Scenes<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Before converting your 2D features into 3D, decide which scene type suits the project.<\/p>\n<p>ArcGIS Pro supports two main viewing modes: <strong>Global Scene<\/strong> and <strong>Local Scene<\/strong>. They are designed for different geographic extents and visualization needs. See Esri&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/pro.arcgis.com\/en\/pro-app\/3.6\/help\/mapping\/map-authoring\/scenes.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Scenes documentation<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Global_Scene\"><\/span>Global Scene<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A Global Scene displays geographic information in a globe-based environment. It is useful when the curvature of the Earth matters or when the study covers a very large geographic area.<\/p>\n<p>Typical applications include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Worldwide flight paths.<\/li>\n<li>Global environmental datasets.<\/li>\n<li>Continental-scale elevation patterns.<\/li>\n<li>Large-scale spatial phenomena viewed in a global context.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Global scenes use a geographic coordinate system appropriate to the global viewing environment. ArcGIS Pro documents WGS 84 and CGCS 2000 as supported coordinate systems for global scenes.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Local_Scene\"><\/span>Local Scene<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A Local Scene displays a smaller area, such as a city, campus, construction site, or neighbourhood. It is particularly suitable for 3D visualization using projected coordinate systems.<\/p>\n<p>Typical applications include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>City-centre building models.<\/li>\n<li>Campus planning.<\/li>\n<li>Terrain and infrastructure visualization.<\/li>\n<li>Local environmental impact assessments.<\/li>\n<li>Extruding building footprints using height attributes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For most university projects that convert ordinary vector layers into a 3D model, a <strong>Local Scene is the recommended starting point<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th>Feature<\/th>\n<th>Global Scene<\/th>\n<th>Local Scene<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Geographic extent<\/td>\n<td>Global or very large<\/td>\n<td>Local or regional<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Earth curvature<\/td>\n<td>Displayed<\/td>\n<td>Localized scene view<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Projected coordinate systems<\/td>\n<td>Limited global-scene support<\/td>\n<td>Supported<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Building extrusion<\/td>\n<td>Supported<\/td>\n<td>Supported<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Terrain visualization<\/td>\n<td>Supported<\/td>\n<td>Supported<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Typical project<\/td>\n<td>Global environmental patterns<\/td>\n<td>Urban planning or campus models<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Prepare_your_source_data\"><\/span>Prepare your source data<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Before proceeding, make sure your project contains:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A suitable elevation raster, such as a DEM.<\/li>\n<li>Building footprints stored as polygons.<\/li>\n<li>A numeric building-height field, if buildings will be extruded by their recorded heights.<\/li>\n<li>Roads, land-use polygons, and other contextual layers.<\/li>\n<li>A suitable coordinate reference system for the study area.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For the building-height example, assume the footprint attribute table contains a field named <code>HEIGHT_M<\/code>, storing each building&#8217;s height in metres.<\/p>\n<p>If the field contains the number of floors rather than actual height, you would need a documented method to estimate building height before using it for extrusion.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Step_1_Convert_a_2D_Map_into_a_3D_Local_Scene\"><\/span>3. Step 1: Convert a 2D Map into a 3D Local Scene<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The first step is creating a scene containing the layers from your existing 2D map.<\/p>\n<p>ArcGIS Pro allows you to convert a map to a scene without removing or modifying the original map. The new scene contains the map&#8217;s layers and an elevation surface for 3D visualization.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Procedure\"><\/span>Procedure<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Open your ArcGIS Pro project.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Activate the 2D map you want to convert by clicking its view tab.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>On the ribbon, click the <strong>View<\/strong> tab.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>In the <strong>View<\/strong> group, click <strong>Convert<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Choose <strong>To Local Scene<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Wait for ArcGIS Pro to create the scene and make it the active view.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Review the <strong>Contents<\/strong> pane to confirm that the layers have been carried into the new scene.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The scene and the original map are separate project items. Changes to layer visibility or scene display settings do not automatically change the equivalent settings in the original map, although edits to shared source data affect both views.<\/p>\n<p>Official instructions: <a href=\"https:\/\/pro.arcgis.com\/en\/pro-app\/3.6\/help\/projects\/add-maps-to-a-project.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Convert a map to a scene<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Understand_the_Contents_pane\"><\/span>Understand the Contents pane<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>In a 3D scene, layers are generally organized into these categories:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>2D Layers:<\/strong> Typically contain information draped onto the ground surface, such as roads, imagery, and land-use polygons.<\/li>\n<li><strong>3D Layers:<\/strong> Contain content positioned independently in 3D space or drawn with 3D symbology, such as extruded buildings.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Elevation Surfaces:<\/strong> Contain the ground and any additional elevation surfaces used to position features.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The ground surface provides a vertical reference for features that need to follow the terrain.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Navigate_the_scene\"><\/span>Navigate the scene<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Use the scene navigation controls to inspect your study area from different angles.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Zoom in to examine roads and building footprints.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Tilt the view to see the terrain from an oblique perspective.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Rotate the scene to inspect the area from another direction.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Return to a useful viewing angle before styling your layers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A 3D scene can contain accurate spatial data and still be difficult to interpret if the camera angle is too low, the map extent is poorly framed, or the model is cluttered.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Tip:<\/strong> Save the project after conversion. Your original 2D map remains available if you need to return to conventional cartographic analysis.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Step_2_Set_the_Ground_Elevation_Surface_Using_a_DEM\"><\/span>4. Step 2: Set the Ground Elevation Surface Using a DEM<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A 3D scene without meaningful elevation data may display its content on a flat plane. To show hills, valleys, slopes, and changes in terrain height, you need an elevation source.<\/p>\n<p>A <strong>Digital Elevation Model (DEM)<\/strong> stores elevation values in raster cells. ArcGIS Pro can use a DEM or a suitable elevation service to define the ground elevation surface.<\/p>\n<p>Each cell&#8217;s elevation contributes to the 3D shape of the terrain.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Option_A_Use_a_DEM_stored_on_your_computer\"><\/span>Option A: Use a DEM stored on your computer<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Use this option when you already have an appropriate local elevation raster.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Procedure<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Add the DEM to your ArcGIS Pro project using <strong>Map \u2192 Add Data<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Confirm that the raster covers your study area and contains valid elevation values.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>In the <strong>Contents<\/strong> pane, right-click the raster layer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Look for the elevation-surface command, such as <strong>Add to Ground<\/strong>, or use the Ground elevation surface&#8217;s context menu to add an elevation source.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Confirm that the DEM is being used as an elevation source rather than merely displayed as a coloured image.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Inspect the terrain in the scene.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The Ground elevation surface is a composite layer, and it can use multiple elevation sources. Higher-resolution sources should generally be placed appropriately in the elevation-source order so they are used where their coverage is available.<\/p>\n<p>See Esri&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/pro.arcgis.com\/en\/pro-app\/3.6\/help\/mapping\/layer-properties\/elevation-source-layers.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Elevation source layers guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Option_B_Use_an_online_elevation_service\"><\/span>Option B: Use an online elevation service<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>If your ArcGIS Pro project has an internet connection and suitable portal access, you may be able to use an available elevation service.<\/p>\n<p>New Local and Global Scenes commonly contain a default Terrain 3D elevation source when connected to ArcGIS Online. This provides tiled elevation for visualization.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Procedure<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Expand the <strong>Elevation Surfaces<\/strong> section in the Contents pane.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Expand <strong>Ground<\/strong> to inspect its elevation sources.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Check whether a suitable elevation source is already available.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>If needed, add a compatible elevation layer or service to Ground.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Navigate around the scene to verify that the terrain follows the expected elevation pattern.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If the default elevation service cannot be accessed, the scene may appear flat. You can then add a suitable local DEM.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Important:<\/strong> The default Terrain 3D service is intended for scene visualization, not as a substitute for an appropriate analytical DEM in geoprocessing. For quantitative terrain analysis, use a dataset with appropriate spatial resolution, vertical units, coverage, and documented accuracy.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Check_the_elevation_units\"><\/span>Check the elevation units<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A common error is mixing horizontal and vertical units.<\/p>\n<p>For example, the DEM&#8217;s coordinates may be projected in metres while its elevation values are recorded in feet.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Open the elevation source&#8217;s properties.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Check the spatial reference and elevation units.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Confirm that the elevation values use the expected vertical units.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Apply an appropriate vertical-unit correction if the source requires it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>ArcGIS Pro provides vertical-unit settings for supported elevation sources. Incorrect vertical units can make a scene&#8217;s terrain appear excessively steep or unnaturally flat.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Adjust_vertical_exaggeration\"><\/span>Adjust vertical exaggeration<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Vertical exaggeration increases the apparent vertical relief of the scene. It can help reveal subtle terrain differences, but excessive exaggeration may misrepresent the real landscape.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Select the <strong>Ground<\/strong> elevation surface in the Contents pane.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Open its <strong>Elevation Surface Layer<\/strong> ribbon options.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Locate the vertical exaggeration setting.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Start with the default value and adjust only when necessary.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Inspect whether hills and slopes still look plausible relative to buildings and other features.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For scientific or engineering presentations, keep vertical exaggeration at 1 unless there is a clear reason to use a different value, and always disclose any exaggeration used.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Step_3_Drape_Vector_Layers_onto_the_Terrain\"><\/span>5. Step 3: Drape Vector Layers onto the Terrain<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Once the ground surface has meaningful elevation, position the other GIS layers so that they follow that surface.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Draping<\/strong> means displaying a 2D layer on an elevation surface without giving each feature its own independent 3D geometry.<\/p>\n<p>It is useful for roads, satellite imagery, land-use polygons, administrative boundaries, and other layers that should follow the terrain.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"51_Drape_roads_and_land-use_polygons\"><\/span>5.1 Drape roads and land-use polygons<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>In a scene, layers in the <strong>2D Layers<\/strong> category are commonly displayed on the ground.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Procedure<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Add the road network and land-use polygon layers if they are not already in the scene.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>In the Contents pane, keep them in the <strong>2D Layers<\/strong> category if they should drape on Ground.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Right-click each layer and choose <strong>Properties<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Open the <strong>Elevation<\/strong> tab.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Confirm that the elevation mode is appropriate, such as <strong>On the Ground<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Click <strong>Apply<\/strong> and <strong>OK<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Inspect roads and polygons in the scene.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>You should see road lines and land-use polygons following the topography rather than remaining suspended at an unrelated height.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"52_Fix_layers_that_appear_to_float_or_sink\"><\/span>5.2 Fix layers that appear to float or sink<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>If roads appear above the terrain or building footprints seem buried inside it, inspect their elevation properties and source coordinates.<\/p>\n<p>Potential causes include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Incorrect elevation mode.<\/li>\n<li>Unrecognized or missing Z-values.<\/li>\n<li>Vertical-unit mismatches.<\/li>\n<li>A mismatch between data elevations and the terrain surface.<\/li>\n<li>Invalid source coordinates or an unsuitable spatial reference.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For layers that represent ground features, <strong>On the Ground<\/strong> is a useful starting point. Features that have true elevation values or represent objects above the surface may require another elevation mode.<\/p>\n<p>Esri describes these settings in <a href=\"https:\/\/pro.arcgis.com\/en\/pro-app\/3.6\/help\/mapping\/layer-properties\/define-height-characteristics-for-layers.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Define height characteristics for layers<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"53_Style_draped_layers\"><\/span>5.3 Style draped layers<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Draped features must remain clear when viewed from an oblique angle.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Use contrasting road colours and line widths.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Keep administrative boundaries visually subtle.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Use simple colours for land-use polygons.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Avoid overly thick lines that obscure terrain.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Reduce the opacity of reference imagery when it competes with thematic layers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For example, a road network may use light grey lines, while major highways have thicker, darker lines. Land-use polygons can use restrained colours that distinguish land-cover classes without overwhelming the elevation model.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Tip:<\/strong> Not every layer should be 3D. Draping roads and boundaries often creates a clearer scene than giving every feature unnecessary height or geometry.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_Step_4_Extrude_Building_Footprints_Using_Height_Attributes\"><\/span>6. Step 4: Extrude Building Footprints Using Height Attributes<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Building extrusion is one of the most effective ways to transform a basic 2D map into an urban 3D model.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Extrusion<\/strong> stretches a flat polygon vertically, producing a 3D-looking building whose height is controlled by an attribute or expression.<\/p>\n<p>For example, a footprint with a height of 12 metres can be displayed as a building extending 12 metres above its base elevation, provided the correct extrusion type and elevation settings are used.<\/p>\n<p>&lt;AsyncImage query=&#8221;ArcGIS Pro local 3D urban scene extruded building footprint polygons realistic buildings terrain roads oblique view GIS visualization&#8221; aspectRatio=&#8221;16:9&#8243; width=&#8221;100%&#8221;\/&gt;<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"61_Inspect_the_building_attributes\"><\/span>6.1 Inspect the building attributes<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Before extruding, ensure that the building layer contains a suitable height field.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>In the Contents pane, right-click <strong>Building Footprints<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Select <strong>Attribute Table<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Identify a numeric field containing building height, such as <code>HEIGHT_M<\/code>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Check that values are populated and use consistent units.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Investigate missing, zero, negative, or implausibly large height values.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If the height information is stored as text, clean or convert it to a numeric field first.<\/p>\n<p>If only the number of floors is available, you can create an estimated height field using an explicitly justified average floor height. Document that the resulting buildings are approximate models, not surveyed heights.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"62_Enable_extrusion\"><\/span>6.2 Enable extrusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Select <strong>Building Footprints<\/strong> in the Contents pane.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>On the ribbon, open the contextual <strong>Feature Layer<\/strong> tab.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Locate the <strong>Extrusion<\/strong> group.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Open the <strong>Extrusion Type<\/strong> drop-down.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Choose <strong>Max Height<\/strong> for a building-height field representing the top height of each building.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>In the <strong>Field<\/strong> drop-down, choose <code>HEIGHT_M<\/code>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Set the extrusion unit to <strong>Meters<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Confirm that the buildings now appear as 3D shapes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The exact extrusion option matters. If your data field describes the height of the building above ground, a suitable height extrusion should extend the footprint upward from the feature&#8217;s base. If the field instead contains absolute elevations for building tops or bases, choose a corresponding method after inspecting the data definition.<\/p>\n<p>ArcGIS Pro supports extrusion for point, line, and polygon features. See <a href=\"https:\/\/pro.arcgis.com\/en\/pro-app\/3.5\/help\/mapping\/layer-properties\/extrude-features-to-3d-symbology.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Extrude features to 3D symbology<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"63_Choose_suitable_extrusion_settings\"><\/span>6.3 Choose suitable extrusion settings<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Different extrusion types support different meanings.<\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th>Extrusion concept<\/th>\n<th>When it may be appropriate<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Extrude by a height field<\/td>\n<td>Each footprint has a measured or estimated building height<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Base height plus an extrusion height<\/td>\n<td>The feature has a defined base elevation and a separate height<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Extrude by a statistic or expression<\/td>\n<td>Height is calculated from other attributes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Absolute height<\/td>\n<td>Features are positioned using an absolute elevation reference<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>Check the unit of the height field before applying extrusion. A field measured in feet should not be interpreted as metres.<\/p>\n<p>For an ordinary urban building model, the height of a footprint and the terrain elevation at its base are separate concepts: the elevation surface positions the building on the terrain, while extrusion determines its vertical height.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"64_Apply_realistic_3D_symbology\"><\/span>6.4 Apply realistic 3D symbology<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Basic extrusion produces useful massing models, but styling improves the scene&#8217;s appearance and readability.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Adjust the building fill colour.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Use subtle side-face shading and outlines.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Keep the roof colour and building walls visually consistent where appropriate.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Use realistic materials only when they add value to the analysis.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Avoid excessively reflective or highly saturated colours.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Check that smaller buildings remain visible at the chosen scene scale.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For a planning assignment, simple, neutral building colours often work better than highly realistic materials because they keep the focus on building heights, spacing, and the spatial arrangement of urban development.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Important:<\/strong> Display extrusion creates a 3D visualization from the source geometries; it does not automatically convert every footprint into a fully modelled architectural building. If you need detailed roof shapes, construction geometry, or physically modelled solids, you may need actual 3D building data or other modelling workflows.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"7_Step_5_Apply_Lighting_Shadows_and_Scene_Presentation\"><\/span>7. Step 5: Apply Lighting, Shadows, and Scene Presentation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Once the terrain and building models are configured, improve how the scene communicates elevation and shape.<\/p>\n<p>Lighting and shadows help readers interpret vertical structures and terrain relief. However, too much shading can hide roads, obscure small features, or make a scene look more dramatic than informative.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"71_Adjust_scene_lighting\"><\/span>7.1 Adjust scene lighting<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Make the scene active.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Click the <strong>View<\/strong> tab.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>In the <strong>Scene<\/strong> group, locate the illumination controls or <strong>Illumination<\/strong> manager.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Adjust the time of day to change the direction of sunlight.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Enable or disable shadows as appropriate.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Adjust ambient illumination to preserve detail in shaded areas.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Inspect buildings from more than one angle.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>ArcGIS Pro supports illumination settings such as time of day, sun shadows, and ambient light. These controls are available through the Scene group&#8217;s illumination tools and the scene&#8217;s properties. See <a href=\"https:\/\/pro.arcgis.com\/en\/pro-app\/3.6\/help\/mapping\/map-authoring\/scenes.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Scenes and illumination properties<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"72_Use_shadows_to_explain_space\"><\/span>7.2 Use shadows to explain space<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Shadows can help visualize:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Building height differences.<\/li>\n<li>Street-canyon geometry.<\/li>\n<li>Potential shading among buildings.<\/li>\n<li>Terrain relief.<\/li>\n<li>The relative position of structures.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For urban planning, shadows may illustrate a scenario at a selected sun angle and time. They should not be treated as a full solar-access or building-energy analysis without suitable methods and settings.<\/p>\n<p>If your assignment examines solar access, record the date, time, location, and relevant scene assumptions.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"73_Choose_the_right_viewing_mode\"><\/span>7.3 Choose the right viewing mode<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>ArcGIS Pro supports perspective and parallel drawing modes.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Perspective mode<\/strong> resembles human vision: objects appear smaller as they recede into the distance. This usually works well for presentation and fly-throughs.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Parallel mode<\/strong> avoids the visual size change caused by perspective. It can be helpful for architectural-style visualizations and comparing the sizes of extruded shapes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>To change modes, click the <strong>View<\/strong> tab and locate <strong>Drawing Mode<\/strong> in the Scene group.<\/p>\n<p>Use the mode that best serves the communication goal rather than choosing the most dramatic view.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"8_Performance_Tips_Managing_GPU_Usage_and_Rendering_Speed\"><\/span>8. Performance Tips: Managing GPU Usage and Rendering Speed<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>3D scenes can be resource-intensive, especially when they contain detailed terrain, thousands of building footprints, high-resolution imagery, and complex 3D symbols.<\/p>\n<p>ArcGIS Pro uses the graphics processing unit (GPU) for scene rendering. When available graphics resources are exceeded, you may notice low frame rates, incomplete drawing, or a GPU-resource warning. Esri&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/pro.arcgis.com\/en\/pro-app\/3.6\/help\/mapping\/properties\/gpu-resources.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GPU resources guide<\/a> recommends reducing scene complexity and adjusting display settings.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Improve_performance\"><\/span>Improve performance<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Reduce unnecessary detail.<\/strong> Simplify dense line and polygon geometries when the full precision is not needed for display.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Limit visible distances.<\/strong> Hide distant buildings or detailed layers when they are not useful at a particular viewing scale.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Use 2D Layers where appropriate.<\/strong> Roads, boundaries, and imagery that only need to drape on the surface generally do not need independent 3D geometry.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Reduce rendering quality during navigation.<\/strong> Open <strong>Project \u2192 Options \u2192 Display<\/strong> and adjust the rendering-quality setting if needed.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Use simpler symbols.<\/strong> Reduce complex materials and high-detail symbols when they do not improve the analysis.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Close unnecessary views.<\/strong> Multiple open scenes can increase graphics-resource demand.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Prepare suitable data resolutions.<\/strong> Avoid loading unnecessarily detailed rasters for broad-area views.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If the scene uses several thousand buildings, consider whether the entire dataset needs to be visible simultaneously. A reduced study area, generalized buildings, or distance-dependent visibility can significantly improve navigation.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Performance rule:<\/strong> Make the scene as simple as possible for the current scale, while preserving the geographic information needed for the analysis.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"9_Conclusion_and_Exporting_Options\"><\/span>9. Conclusion and Exporting Options<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Once the 3D scene is complete, choose an output format that suits the assignment or audience.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-946\" src=\"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Gemini_Generated_Image_nh5hcanh5hcanh5h-1024x559.jpg\" alt=\"3D Scene ArcGIS Pro 2D features workflow diagram\" width=\"1024\" height=\"559\" srcset=\"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Gemini_Generated_Image_nh5hcanh5hcanh5h-1024x559.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Gemini_Generated_Image_nh5hcanh5hcanh5h-300x164.jpg 300w, https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Gemini_Generated_Image_nh5hcanh5hcanh5h-768x419.jpg 768w, https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Gemini_Generated_Image_nh5hcanh5hcanh5h.jpg 1408w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Option_A_Save_the_ArcGIS_Pro_project\"><\/span>Option A: Save the ArcGIS Pro project<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Use <strong>Project \u2192 Save<\/strong> to retain the scene, layer symbology, elevation settings, extrusion configurations, and other project information.<\/p>\n<p>This is the best option when the recipient needs to continue editing the scene in ArcGIS Pro. Make sure the source data remains available and accessible.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Option_B_Export_a_fly-through_animation\"><\/span>Option B: Export a fly-through animation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A fly-through can show the scene from multiple viewpoints and communicate how buildings, roads, and terrain relate spatially.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Procedure:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Make the scene active.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Click <strong>View \u2192 Add Animation<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Create the first keyframe at the starting camera position.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Navigate to another viewpoint and append additional keyframes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Adjust transitions, duration, and pauses to create a smooth camera path.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Preview the animation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>On the <strong>Animation<\/strong> tab, click <strong>Export Movie<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Select a suitable format, resolution, frame rate, and quality setting.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>See Esri&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/pro.arcgis.com\/en\/pro-app\/3.6\/help\/mapping\/animation\/author-a-new-animation.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Create an animation<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/pro.arcgis.com\/en\/pro-app\/3.4\/help\/mapping\/animation\/export-an-animation.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Export an animation<\/a> documentation.<\/p>\n<p>For a university presentation, a short, controlled fly-through is often more effective than fast camera movement or excessive rotation.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Option_C_Share_an_interactive_web_scene\"><\/span>Option C: Share an interactive web scene<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>If the project should be explored in a browser, share the scene to ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Enterprise.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Procedure:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Sign in to the appropriate ArcGIS portal.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Open the completed scene.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Click the <strong>Share<\/strong> tab.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>In the <strong>Share As<\/strong> group, select <strong>Web Scene<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Enter the scene&#8217;s title, summary, tags, and sharing settings.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Review the configuration and analyze the scene for potential errors or performance problems.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Resolve required errors and review warnings.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Click <strong>Share<\/strong> and confirm that the published scene can be opened in Scene Viewer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Sharing a web scene generally requires suitable account privileges to create content and publish the necessary web layers. See <a href=\"https:\/\/pro.arcgis.com\/en\/pro-app\/3.6\/help\/sharing\/overview\/share-a-web-scene.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Share a web scene<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Final_quality-control_checklist\"><\/span>Final quality-control checklist<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Before submitting your 3D GIS assignment, confirm the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>The scene uses the appropriate local or global viewing mode.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Terrain elevation is valid and uses correct vertical units.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Roads and other 2D layers are positioned correctly on the terrain.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Building footprints are extruded using a suitable height field and units.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Lighting and shadows improve interpretation without obscuring important features.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>Scene performance remains acceptable at the intended viewing scale.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><input type=\"text\" \/>\n<div>\n<p>The exported animation or published web scene has been checked for errors.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Creating a <strong>3D Scene in ArcGIS Pro from 2D features<\/strong> is more than changing the map&#8217;s viewing angle. It involves choosing the right coordinate system, defining elevation surfaces, setting feature heights correctly, and designing a scene that communicates the geography clearly.<\/p>\n<p>For student projects, begin with a small area, a reliable DEM, and a well-documented building-height field. Once those components work correctly, add styling, lighting, and interactive outputs to produce a professional spatial visualization.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>3D Scene Creation in ArcGIS Pro: Converting 2D Features into Elevation-Aware Models &nbsp; 1. Introduction: Why Create 3D GIS Scenes? When learning how to build a 3D Scene ArcGIS Pro 2D features project, analysts must first understand the transition from flat 2D surfaces to elevation-aware models.Traditional GIS maps display geographic information on a flat, two-dimensional &#8230; <a title=\"3D Scene Creation in ArcGIS Pro: Converting 2D Features into Elevation-Aware Models\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/3d-scene-arcgis-pro-2d-features\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about 3D Scene Creation in ArcGIS Pro: Converting 2D Features into Elevation-Aware Models\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":946,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-910","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gis-articles"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/910","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=910"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/910\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":947,"href":"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/910\/revisions\/947"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/946"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=910"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=910"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/helpwithmygisassignment.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=910"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}