creating 3d models using arcgis

7/30/2019 Creating 3D Models Using ArcGIS

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Rev C October 2003

Creating 3D Models Using ArcGISTM

Created by Phyllis T. Uy, Z Corporation



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ESRI software allows GIS organizations to take a topographical map and turn it into a VRML filewhich can then be printed on a Z Corporation 3D Printer. This document contains two sections.The first section will go through a few steps of taking contour lines, making it into a TIN, draping asatellite image on the TIN, and then exporting it as a VRML. The second section will explain

taking a SDTS (Spatial Data Transfer Standard) DEM file and translating the file into a printableVRML file using some of the tools in ArcScene 8.1.

If you have additional questions about manipulating data, please contact ESRI for moreinformation. For information about how to print a 3D model of your part, please contact the ZCorporation Applications Team at [email protected].

Z Corporation would like to thank the Traffic and Transportation Department of the City of Rockville, Maryland for the sample model used in this document.



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Creating a Printable VRML Using TIN

1. Open the ArcScene application.

2. Open a *.shp file by clicking on the ‘Add Data’ icon and then finding the *.shp file youwish to import. Then click ‘Add’.

Add Data

Select a *.shp file



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3. Once imported, create a TIN file using the contour lines, by choosing the ‘Create TINfrom Features…’ option from the 3D Analyst drop down menu.

4. Specify the properties for the TIN file. Click ‘OK’ when finished.

Check a layer option, height

source and triangulation option.



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5. You will now have an elevated surface. Turn off the Topo layer, so that you to examinethe TIN file.

Deselect topo layer to

remove from view.

6. You may now drape a satellite image, or other information you would like to communicate

on top of the surface. Click on the ‘Add Data’ icon. Select the information you would likedrape. Click ‘Add’.



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7. The information will not be draped over the TIN surface. To drape the information on theTIN surface, right-click the information you want to drape, and click on ‘Properties’.

Image

TIN Surface

8. Select the Base Heights Tab, then choose to obtain height information from the TIN

surface. Click ‘Apply’ to preview the information draped on the TIN surface. Click ‘OK’when finished.

Choose to obtain

heights for layer

from surface from

the TIN surface Base Heights Tab

Apply to preview information

draped on TIN surface.



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9. Deselect the TIN layer to view information data. Choose to export data into a 3D modelby selecting the ‘Export Scene’ option under File menu and choosing 3D.

10. Open the VRML file into ZPrint Software and choose the ‘Create Solid’ option under theEdit menu. Select a base height and click ‘OK’ when finished. Re-justify the part to thebottom, review cross section, and print.



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Creating a Printable VRML Using DEM

1. Convert the SDTS file to DEM using SDTS2DEM.exe – available from the GIS Depotsite. (In this tutorial, we will be using a map of Honolulu, HI.)

a. Download SDTS2DEM.exe from GIS Depot site and place in the same directory

as the SDTS data – http://data.geocomm.com/dem/sdts2dem.html.

b. Run the executable to convert the SDTS file to DEM.

c. Enter the first four characters of your data (make sure all the files begin withthese characters). Press enter. Then type a file name. Press enter.



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d. The program will create a DEM file into the same directory as your files.

2. Launch ArcToolbox. Select the DEM to GRID tool by double clicking.



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3. Select the DEM file that was created by SDTS2DEM.exe and then select a directory andname for the output grid. Click ‘OK’ when finished.

Select a DEM to

translate.

Select a directory

and file name for

the grid output.

4. Launch ArcScene. Select the ‘Add Data’ icon. Navigate to the directory with the gridcreated by ArcToolbox, and select the file. Click ‘Add’ when finished. A window showingpyramid options will appear. Choose to build pyramids.

Choose to openthe grid byclicking the 'AddData' icon.

Select the grid.



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5. Right click on ‘Scene Layers’. Select ‘Scene Properties’.

6. Change the vertical exaggeration to add more pronounced 3D height to your grid.

7. Right click on the grid layer and choose ‘Properties.’



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8. Choose the Base Heights tab and select to obtain heights from the grid data. Click ‘Apply’when finished.

Select Base

Height to create3D height

Select to obtain

layer height from

grid information

9. The model should be displayed in as a 3D replica of the file. In this tutorial, the colors

were modified to help display the 3D contours of the part.



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10. Make additional changes if needed. When complete, select the ‘Export Scene’ optionunder the File menu. Then choose ‘3D...’ Type a file name and click ‘Export’ whenfinished.

11. Open the VRML file into ZPrint Software and choose the ‘Create Solid’ option under theEdit menu. Select a base height and click ‘OK’ when finished. Re-justify the part to thebottom, review cross section, and print.

For more information, please contact the Z Corporation Applications Team at [email protected].

creating 3d models using arcgis

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