https://community.esri.com/t5/arcgis-drone2map-questions/drone2map/m-p/1210829#M1213 <P>Kevin - this is an age-old debate.&nbsp; Many people refer to DEMs as "2.5 D" since they're clearly more than 2D, and yes, useful for some 3D analysis such as line of sight/viewshed.&nbsp;</P><P>The fundamental reason we don't consider them fully 3D is that you can't represent any overhanging features (e.g. look under tree canopy to see the tree trunk).&nbsp; In the case of a building with overhanging eaves, the DSM shows the building as having the full XY extent of the roof footprint, whereas the foundation of the building is smaller - and in most applications seeking the building footprint, they want the foundation, not the roof extents.&nbsp; But for some specific applications, you're correct that the DEMs can be considered and used as 3D datasets.</P><P>Personally I think it's an advantage to call these "2D" for users of Drone2Map Standard - the Standard license&nbsp;does not include full 3D functionality but it IS able to create the DEMs (DSM and DTM) - so it's a benefit to these users who may want to calculate volumes of stockpiles or excavations - but the terminology is certainly open to ongoing debate.</P><P>Cody B</P><P>&nbsp;</P> Thu, 08 Sep 2022 16:02:39 GMT CodyBenkelman 2022-09-08T16:02:39Z https://community.esri.com/t5/arcgis-drone2map-questions/drone2map/m-p/1208877#M1210 <P>Why are you categorizing DSMs and DTMs as 2D outputs in Drone2Map, when they have a z component ?</P><P>DSM and DTMs can be viewed in 2D and 3D</P><P>DSM and DTMs support 3D measurements and calculations such as volume</P><P>&nbsp;</P> Thu, 01 Sep 2022 20:03:46 GMT https://community.esri.com/t5/arcgis-drone2map-questions/drone2map/m-p/1208877#M1210 KevinCrichlow 2022-09-01T20:03:46Z https://community.esri.com/t5/arcgis-drone2map-questions/drone2map/m-p/1210829#M1213 <P>Kevin - this is an age-old debate.&nbsp; Many people refer to DEMs as "2.5 D" since they're clearly more than 2D, and yes, useful for some 3D analysis such as line of sight/viewshed.&nbsp;</P><P>The fundamental reason we don't consider them fully 3D is that you can't represent any overhanging features (e.g. look under tree canopy to see the tree trunk).&nbsp; In the case of a building with overhanging eaves, the DSM shows the building as having the full XY extent of the roof footprint, whereas the foundation of the building is smaller - and in most applications seeking the building footprint, they want the foundation, not the roof extents.&nbsp; But for some specific applications, you're correct that the DEMs can be considered and used as 3D datasets.</P><P>Personally I think it's an advantage to call these "2D" for users of Drone2Map Standard - the Standard license&nbsp;does not include full 3D functionality but it IS able to create the DEMs (DSM and DTM) - so it's a benefit to these users who may want to calculate volumes of stockpiles or excavations - but the terminology is certainly open to ongoing debate.</P><P>Cody B</P><P>&nbsp;</P> Thu, 08 Sep 2022 16:02:39 GMT https://community.esri.com/t5/arcgis-drone2map-questions/drone2map/m-p/1210829#M1213 CodyBenkelman 2022-09-08T16:02:39Z