idea Option for ArcGIS Pro to Convert Elevation Raster to open mesh format in ArcGIS Pro Ideas

Option for ArcGIS Pro to Convert Elevation Raster to open mesh format

EricEagle — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 14:14:57 GMT

Just like the title says. I'd like to be able to export an elevation raster to any common mesh format (e.g., OBJ, STL, PLY).

I know this is super easy because I've already built open-source scripts that do it, using nothing but the dependencies that already ship with ArcGIS Pro's default conda instance. I just think it would be nice to have the functionality included in 3D Analyst.

The problem:

Currently I manage a team that builds a high volume of precise, location-aware architectural models. We construct the models themselves using an industry standard 3D pipeline but seat the finished product on 3D terrain. We are not interested in CityEngine. Our workflow to get this terrain into external, professional 3D tools is:

Terrain to TIN... TIN to Multipatch... Multipatch to Collada... Collada to (SketchUp, Maya, Blender, Meshlab, etc). This is a bad workflow. Why, one could be forgiven for asking, do we have to go from a TIN to a Multipatch? That is because it's not *really* a TIN, it's an "Esri TIN" which is recognized by no mesh software at all, it is only for ArcGIS Desktop/Pro. So we have to incur the extra step of going to *another* dead-end format (Multipatch) to get it into a broadly compatible format (Collada).

So really my idea is an either/or: Either,

1. Raster to TIN will generate a compatible, standard TIN file; or,

2. A toolkit like Raster to Mesh gets introduced that allows the user to go straight from a surface raster to a *fully compatible, open* mesh format.

Again, I have scripted this up already; it's kind of funny but we're using ArcGIS Pro as a framework to call processes that allow us to avoid using Esri's dead-end proprietary formats. It does work but puts us in technical debt. Please add this functionality to ArcGIS Pro, even if it's stashed behind an extension paywall. Thanks!

Re: Option for ArcGIS Pro to Convert Elevation Raster to open mesh format

BruceHarold — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 14:57:25 GMT

Hello Open

I manage the Data Interoperability extension which can output OBJ and STL out of the box. We don't have a PLY writer but that looks like reasonably simple to tackle with Python. Data Interop is an extension product. If you can share a terrain raster we can see if it meets your needs. Work with your Esri account representative or message me directly.

Re: Option for ArcGIS Pro to Convert Elevation Raster to open mesh format

EricEagle — Tue, 08 Jun 2021 11:59:05 GMT

@BruceHarold thanks, I had no idea data interop would do that. I think we carry a few of those licenses; I'll check and see. PLY is definitely not a requirement or even optimal, I have just used it in the past because it can be easily constructed as ascii format.

Re: Option for ArcGIS Pro to Convert Elevation Raster to open mesh format

BruceHarold — Tue, 08 Jun 2021 12:55:09 GMT

@EricEagle Data Interoperability is a closely guarded secret! Let me know if you need help.

Re: Option for ArcGIS Pro to Convert Elevation Raster to open mesh format

NDGraphics — Fri, 29 Mar 2024 14:39:07 GMT

@EricEagle We are actually working on a feature to allow you to export the terrain meshes and materials to glTF directly from Pro. I don't have a set timeline on when it would be released, but the feature is mostly ready.

Re: Option for ArcGIS Pro to Convert Elevation Raster to open mesh format

EricEagle — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 12:24:03 GMT

@NDGraphics if you need anyone to test that let me know! 🙂

Re: Option for ArcGIS Pro to Convert Elevation Raster to open mesh format

MelanieChatten — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 20:40:07 GMT

Hi@EricEagle any chance you would be willing to share the script you've written? You mention an open source script... My police service is needing me to create a .PLY file and I'm hitting walls, this is the only useful thread I've been able to find.

Thanks for your consideration!

Re: Option for ArcGIS Pro to Convert Elevation Raster to open mesh format

JSchane_NGC — Fri, 02 May 2025 16:34:11 GMT

Very much interested in this thread and workflow, but for .obj export! I'm struggling to create multipatches from DEMs in ArcGIS Pro, so I haven't even been able to utilize the 3D Export tool. If someone from Esri could reach out with a solution that would be optimal, or if you have a script to share I'd be all ears! Thanks