Creating a 3D polygon from points with a Z value

Question

Original User: SStrand

I hope what I am about to ask makes sense. It is hard to explain without having an example to show...

I have a set of points with X Y and Z values and my goal is to convert them into a single 3D polygon shape which would envelop all of them. This is part of my Masters work and I am trying to use the points as a way to create a 3D object which represents the extremes within which other points can be created (in future tests).

Is there a way to create a 3D polygon directly with a tool? Or is there a round about way where I could convert the points to a TIN and then have it so generalized that it would only look at the outer most points?
Any help would be much appreciated.

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Anonymous User · Answer

Thanks for the help, i will give it a go!
-Dan

Anonymous User · Answer

Original User: SStrandDid you ever get this to work?! Looking for an answer to the same question.
-Dan

Hey Dan,

Yes and no...I've got something that works but it isn't perfect. Here are the steps I am taking:

1. Collect point data with X,Y,Z data
2. Manually select points on the top end of the desired shape and create separate feature
3. Manually select points on the bottom end of the desired shape and create separate feature
4. Create TIN files for each feature
5. Use the 3D Analyst tool "Extrude Between" with the two tins to create a 3D polygon of the area between the two TIN files.

For me this is the best I could do. It gives a more generalized version of the data than what I was looking for, it does take a few minutes to create and it is something that I cannot fully automate 😞

www.spatialstage.com/VisualizingMotorsport.pdf

The above link is a presentation I did based on my thesis, in it there is a slide (pg 18) showing the 3D polygon that is created. Since the presentation I have cleaned up the way I visualize it which helps a lot, but that'll at least give you a look at the basic version of what I have made. Hope it helps!

Steve

Anonymous User · Answer

Did you ever get this to work?! Looking for an answer to the same question.
-Dan