substract intersection of multipatches... difference 3d?

Question

Hello everyone,
I have a couple of multipatch features that overlap (intersect) but should be stacked on top of eachother with no intersection at all. I have tried to use the difference 3d tool but it gives errors (background processing has encountered a serious error and is unable to continue) and it wouldn't surprise me if I am doing things horribly wrong. I can't seem to find a tool that can edit multipatches in this way. does anyone have a suggestion for me? 
The multipatches are created through the 'extrude between' tool using some tin's. If there is a possibility to edit Tin's in this way - clipping the elevation with another Tin, decapitating it - that would help me a lot too. 
Thanks very much
Victor

JeffreySwain · Answer

The 3d Editor in ArcScene/ArcGlobe is meant to move the multipatches around and then also to edit vertices in lines and polygons.  Due to the complexity of most 3d objects or multipatches, it is recommended to follow Prasanta's recommendation of using a 3d Editor like Sketchup.

The help also explains it here. You cannot access the edit sketch properties of a multipatch geometry because it is not a single editable feature. See Editing 3D multipatch features for more information.

VictorKlinkenberg · Answer

jbswain - thanks, I didn't realise how limited the functionality of multipatches was; what is the use of the 3dintersect tool if you cant edit vertices? I guess I am not fully grasping what the functionality of this tool is supposed to be. I am following the same workflow as Nooski although I also try to intersect the extruded multipatches with eachother. They are all closed. Is there maybe a way to edit Tin's in this way in stead?

Vattarai, thanks for your reply, I allready tried to export it all to collada and import in Sketchup (pro 8.0.4811) but a it crashes on every collada import, it just stops at 10% every time. 
They do import in Blender but I have next to no experience with Blender unfortunately.

Nooski, let me know if you have found workarounds? thanks!

Anyone any further suggestions?
Thanks a lot for your replies

PrasantaBhattarai · Answer

Hi everyone, 
It's very frustrating for me as I really need this functionality for my research. If anyone knows workarounds or other software that will do the trick I would be much oblidged too.
Thanks
Victor

If you are still not able to run difference 3D after making sure they are closed multipatch, and you requre complex editing for your multipatch, you can export your multipatch to Collada. You can then load and edit the Collada files in SketchUp (or other 3D editing software). You can make necessary edits in SketchUp then bring it back to ArcGIS. You can use the 3D Editor > Replace with Model command to replace existing multipatch with the model that you have edited using SketchUp.

I hope this helps.