topic Re: Can you insert Legend and Scale Bar while working in ArcScene? in 3D Mapping Questions

Can you insert Legend and Scale Bar while working in ArcScene?

PrabinRasali — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 17:49:16 GMT

Can you insert Legend and Scale Bar while working in ArcScene?
If not, is there a way to export it to ArcMap, so that you can place it in layout view of ArcMap? I had exported ArcScene view as a jpeg to be place in ArcMap.

Prasali

Re: Can you insert Legend and Scale Bar while working in ArcScene?

RayCarnes — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 21:19:21 GMT

You can't insert a scale bar or legend, ArcScene has no layout capabilities.

See http://mappingcenter.esri.com/index.cfm?fa=ask.answers&q=766

If you want this feature, vote for it at http://ideas.arcgis.com/ideaView?id=087300000008DDOAA2

Exporting as a graphic (such as JPEG) usually works fine.

Re: Can you insert Legend and Scale Bar while working in ArcScene?

RichardFairhurst — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 03:52:27 GMT

Given that ArcScene uses a vanishing point and horizon if the view is anything but looking straight down, wouldn't a scalebar be misleading? Even a straight down view has scale distortions if varying elevations exist (and why would anyone use ArcScene if you have no elevation changes and do not intend to use a view other than looking straight down). Scale measurements taken as one approaches the vanishing point and horizon would never match the scalebar. Esri can't change the laws of physics relative to the effects of 3D viewing distortions on scale without compromising the 3D view. Any placement of a scalebar from ArcMap on an ArcScene view is simply misleading yourself and your audience except in the simplest of cases around a relatively limited focal point.

A legend is something that should be supported in ArcScene, but the workaround is all there is for now.

Re: Can you insert Legend and Scale Bar while working in ArcScene?

SteffenIllium — Sun, 06 Mar 2016 13:52:59 GMT

Well it is actually possible to add a scale bar to ArcScene as well as applying it to elevation and so on with a little workaround.
Just export any georeferenced feature from Arcmap as a High-resolution Picture with a huge scale bar wherever u want it. (you could also add multiple ones for X Y directions)

This can be imported in ArcScene. As it is georeferenced, it will work. Well this is far away from being scientifically accurate, however we are talking about visual enhancements...

This picture is just for showing the result. If you wish, you could add a much wider scale bar to even have the right measurements in the very far.

The excact same procedure works very well with legends title or what ever. Reference it, import it.