Digital Quest, Inc.

Course at a glance:
This course allows you study the area you live in as well as the world in three dimensions. This exciting course not only allows you to view the world as it truly appears, you also will learn how to add animation as well. You will use two components of ArcGIS 3D Analyst for this course: ArcScene and ArcGlobe. You will learn skills such as viewing and displaying data in ArcScene, how to acquire and process data from online resources, how to display non-elevation data in 3D, how to apply surface analysis to 3D, how to add raster and vector data to ArcGlobe, and how to animate and export projects.

3D Data Types, Display and Visualization: Interpret different types of spatial data used in 3D visualization and analysis; Navigate various types of surfaces with ArcScene

Data Acquisition and Processing: Explore methods of obtaining, downloading, and extracting free data using the Internet; Build 3D datasets; Navigate and process 3D datasets; Create a subset of an image; Mosaic two georeferenced images

2D and 3D Feature Data in a 3D scene: Display 2D features onto a 3D surface; Create shapefiles to view in a 3D environment; Construct a 3D model of an urban environment

Displaying Non-Elevation Data in 3D: Display georeferenced data measurements in 3D; Apply Interpolation; Utilize georeferenced 2D data in a 3D environment to provide valuable information; Navigate different surface types

Surface Analysis: Create contour lines in a 3D environment; Discover the benefits of the Steepest Path tool; Calculate statistics using the Area and Volume statistical tool; Use the Line of Sight tool

Global Visualization and Analysis: Use ArcGlobe to build a 3D global mapping application; Navigate an image in ArcGlobe; Add both raster and vector data to ArcGlobe

Animation and Exporting Projects: Create animations in ArcScene and ArcGlobe; Export animations so they may be viewed outside of ArcScene and ArcGlobe

During the course you will also learn….

Acquiring NED Data
Experimenting with Exaggeration Values
Acquiring NOAA/NGDC 3D Data
Exploring Spatial Reference Properties
Acquiring USGS DEM Data from GeoComm
Exporting Animation to Video
Adding Data Files to ArcScene
Exporting Scenes in VRML Format
Adding Layer Lighting
Extruding Files
Adding Offset Values
Interpolating Data using the Natural Neighbors Method
Adding Raster Data to ArcGlobe
Launching ArcGlobe
Adding Toolbars
Launching ArcScene
Adding Vector Data to ArcGlobe
Navigating Above and Below a Map
Assigning Base Heights
Navigating over a Scene
Assigning Z Factor Values
Navigating to Folders
Calculating Heights using the Expression Builder
Opening Existing Files
Comparing 3D Data
Pasting Files into Word Documents
Converting ASCII to Raster
Preparing GeoComm USGS DEM Data for Viewing
Converting Mosaic to New Raster Projecting Data Sets
Converting Non-Elevation Features to 3D Renaming Data Layers
Converting Raster to TIN
Rotating a Scene
Converting SDTS files to Grid
Saving Projects
Converting TIN Data from a DEM
Setting Data Caching
Creating 3D Urban Landscape Features
Setting Extrusion Values
Creating a Layout
Setting Tag Values
Creating a Line of Sight
Setting Triangulation
Creating a Steepest Path
Setting Vertical Exaggeration
Creating a TIN from a Shapefile Unzipping Compressed Files
Creating an Animation from Perspective Views
Using Animation in ArcScene
Creating Animation Keyframes
Using Calculate From Extent
Creating Contour Lines
Using the Center on Target Tool
Creating Shapefiles
Using the Fly Tool
Digitizing Polygons
Using the Identify Tool
Displaying 2D Landscape Feature Files in a 3D Scene
Using the Internet to obtain Data
Displaying TIN Data in ArcScene
Using the Interpolate Polygon button
Downloading Files from the Internet
Using the Online ArcWeb Place Finder
Draping Layers
Using the Pan Tool
Editing Animations
Using the Set Observer Tool
Editing Area and Volume Statistics
Using the Transparency Tool
Editing Scene Layers
Working with Draped Layers
Editing the Altitude of the Sun
Working with Floating Layers
Editing the Azimuth of the Sun Zooming techniques
Editing the Symbology of Layers

Why is this topic important?
Spatial Analyst is used in many common careers. Spatial Analyst takes into consideration the various contours of the earth when making its calculations. For example, in telecommunications it is important to finding the area covered by a cell phone tower. In real estate it is used in finding the best site for your business, home or garden. In law enforcement it is used to find the prime locations for a stakeout. In meteorology it is used to determine where the most precipitation has fallen within a certain time frame. Virtually every business can benefit from the use of Spatial Analyst.

Table of Contents:

Unit 3: 3D Visualization of Geospatial Data

Lesson 1 3D Data Types, Display, and Visualization
Lesson Objectives

Understand fundamental concepts of 3D Analysis
Interpret different types of spatial data used in 3D visualization and analysis.
Navigate different types of surfaces with ArcScene

Lesson & Enrichment Exercises: 3D Data Types, Display, and Visualization

Launch ArcScene
Add Data to ArcScene
Explore ArcScene navigation tools
Assign base heights to an elevation surface
Set the Observer View in ArcScene
Vertically exaggerate surface elevation values in ArcScene
Use lighting effects to increase contrast on the elevation surface in ArcScene
Export an ArcScene scene
Import a scene image into a word processing document
Convert a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) to a TIN data layer
Create a TIN from a shapefile containing elevation values

Lesson 2 Data Acquisition and Processing
Lesson Objectives

Discover where to obtain free data on the Internet
Download and extract data
Build 3D datasets to be used in ArcScene
Navigate and process 3D data sets

Lesson & Enrichment Exercises: Data Acquisition and Processing

Access online sources of 3D data
Convert downloaded data to a format compatible for use in ArcGIS
Edit the Spatial Properties of the converted raster data layer
Download the USGS Quad Index
Download a DEM from an online source
Convert a DEM in SDTS format to grid
Mosaic DEM grids to create a new grid

Lesson 3 2D and 3D Feature Data in a 3D Scene
Lesson Objectives

Display 2D features onto a 3D surface.
Create shapefiles to view in a 3D environment.
Construct a 3D model of an urban environment.

Lesson & Enrichment Exercises: 2D and 3D Feature Data in a 3D Scene

Extrude 2D feature data layers from a 3D elevation surface
Create a new shapefile in ArcCatalog
Add 3D features to a new shapefile
Drape a image data layer on a 3D surface

Lesson 4 Displaying Non-Elevation Data in 3D
Lesson Objectives

Display georeferenced data measurements in 3D
Apply Interpolation to show population distribution
Understand how non-elevation georeferenced 2D data in a 3D environment can provide valuable statistical information
Navigate different types of surfaces in ArcScene using new methods.

Lesson & Enrichment Exercises: Displaying Non-Elevation Data in 3D

Convert non-elevation data to 3D
Extrude features by calculating a Z value
Interpolate a surface from a set of feature data

Lesson 5 Surface Analysis
Lesson Objectives

Create contour lines in a 3D environment
Use the contour function to generate contour lines
Discover the benefits of using the Steepest Path tool
Calculate statistics using the Area and Volume statistical tool
Use the Line of Sight tool to determine if obstructions between two points exist

Lesson & Enrichment Exercises: Surface Analysis

Create elevation contours from a raster elevation grid
Find the steepest path in an elevation surface
Calculate the area of a surface
Calculate the volume of a surface
Evaluate visibility between two observation points using Line of Sight

Lesson 6 Global Visualization and Analysis
Lesson Objectives

Use ArcGlobe to learn how to build a 3D global mapping application
Navigate an image in ArcGlobe
Add Raster data to ArcGlobe
Add Vector data to ArcGlobe

Lesson & Enrichment Exercises: Global Visualization and Analysis

Launch ArcGlobe
Experiment with ArcGlobe navigation tools
Add a raster data layer to ArcGlobe
Set caching properties for displaying data in ArcGlobe
Display elevation data in ArcGlobe
Vertically exaggerate elevation data in ArcGlobe
Add image data to ArcGlobe
Edit symbology properties of image data in ArcGlobe
Adjust the transparency of a data layer in ArcGlobe
Add vector data to ArcGlobe
Edit symbology properties of vector data in ArcGlobe
Extrude features in ArcGlobe

Lesson 7 Animation and Exporting Projects
Lesson Objectives

Create animations in ArcScene using manually recording techniques
Create animations in ArcGlobe using virtual snapshots of views
Export Animations so they may be viewed outside of ArcScene and ArcGlobe

Lesson & Enrichment Exercises: Animation and Exporting Projects

Load the Animation toolbar in ArcScene
Use animation tools to record an navigation scene in ArcScene
Save an animation file
Create an animation from perspective views
Create an animation keyframe
Manage transitions between keyframes using the Animation Manager
Set distance ranges for animations in ArcScene
View an animation
Export an animation in VRML format

Who could use this knowledge?

Who are the direct stakeholders?

Skills we assume you have before you take this class:

You must know ArcGIS 9.1, have basic computer skills, including a working knowledge of an office suite (such as PowerPoint, Word Docs, and Spread Sheets) and experience with the Internet.

Software you will need:

ArcGIS 9.1 with 3D Analyst extension, an office suite (such as PowerPoint, Word Docs, and Spread Sheets) and an Internet browser.

Hardware you will need:

A networked computer lab with a 1:1 ratio of students to computers, which meets the following minimum specifications: Pentium-III, Celeron, Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon running at 1ghz or equivalent, at least 1GB of RAM memory, Windows 2000 or Windows XP Professional, a network server providing at least 500MB of storage per student, and appropriate read/write permissions for both the server and workstations. You will also need Internet access and a suitable means of displaying PowerPoint presentations (LCD projector, large monitor, plasma screen, etc.). You will also need a GPS unit.

Teacher Support…

Detailed, thorough student documentation, Full lesson plans including objectives, materials needed, procedures and assessments, PowerPoint presentations with narratives, Customized assessment and answer keys based on local data

What Data will you use…

Filename Type Description
cfcc dbf Census Feature Class Codes

Request for more information form:

I represent a School:
I represent a Company:
I represent a Government entity:
I am looking for myself.