topic Re: 2D layers not displaying in 3D Scene. in ArcGIS Pro Questions

2D layers not displaying in 3D Scene.

TrippCorbin — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 23:01:40 GMT

I have created a new project using the Local Scene project template in ArcGIS Pro 1.1. My 2D layers which I added from an existing file geodatabase are not visible in the scene. They are turned on in my Contents pane and are set to ground. If I move the layers to 3D they appear. I was not having this issue with the ArcGIS 1.1 beta version I had been using.

If I add my local DEM as an elevation surface in addition to the default world elevation used by ArcGIS Pro, the 2D layers become visible. The minute I remove my local DEM, they disappear again. I have set the elevation surface to no color and allowed navigation below surface. The 2D layers will not show up.

Re: 2D layers not displaying in 3D Scene.

TrippCorbin — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 19:47:05 GMT

This behavior appears to be linked to the coordinate system. If I set the scene to use a geographic coordinate system the 2D layers appear as expected. If I set it back to a projected coordinate system, the 2D layers disappear again. I have tried multiple geographic and projected coordinate systems and the behavior appears to be consistent.

Re: 2D layers not displaying in 3D Scene.

David — Wed, 05 Aug 2015 11:52:48 GMT

Tripp,

Some of that is expected behavior. When you add 2D data to a 3D scene, it will not be displayed until it is moved under the "3D Layers" section and an elevation has been set. You have to set an elevation source for each 3D dataset so ArcGIS Pro knows where it will start drawing the dataset (on the ground, relative to the ground, on a custom elevation surface, relative to a custom elevation surface, or at an absolute height).

You will have added your DEM as an elevation surface from the 3D map properties. When you add your local DEM as an elevation source, you can remove the default (you only need one). Expand "Ground" and click the red X to clear it out. The color of the elevation surface you add doesn't matter, it's only using the elevation values.

Check out the online Help Documentation for information about setting elevation surfaces.

Pro.ArcGIS.com > Map Properties > Elevation Surfaces

Re: 2D layers not displaying in 3D Scene.

TrippCorbin — Wed, 05 Aug 2015 12:26:50 GMT

David,

Thanks for responding to my issue. However I have a question, if a 2D layer in a 3D scene should not display until it is moved to the 3D layer section how come it will display as a 2D layer if a geographic coordinate system is used by the scene but will not if a projected coordinate system is used? That seems very inconsistent. Also why even allow 2D layers in a 3D scene if they will not display? 2D layers even allow you to set their elevation which I have set to ground.

As I mentioned, I can get the 2D layers to display without issue in a 3D scene if I do the following. When using the Esri World Elevation surface, I must keep the scene in a geographic coordinate system. If I do that, all layers both 2D and 3D display as expected. Or I can use a projected coordinate system as long as I use my own ground surface. When I do that all layers display as expected.

I know many of my clients don't have their own elevation surface to fall back on. So they will be wanting to use the Esri World surface. However they will want to create scenes which use their local projected coordinate system such as State Plane or UTM. So this would seem to be a problem.

Re: 2D layers not displaying in 3D Scene.

JeremyWright — Wed, 05 Aug 2015 17:56:02 GMT

Tripp,

This sounds like it could be a bug. Is your data from the file geodatabase in a PCS or GCS? Is it points, lines, or polygons?

Also, can you please submit to tech support with your repro data so we can investigate?

Regards,

Jeremy W.

Re: 2D layers not displaying in 3D Scene.

TrippCorbin — Wed, 05 Aug 2015 18:32:01 GMT

Jeremy

My data is in a file GDB and is in a PCS. Georgia State Plane NAD 83 West Feet to be specific. It includes points, lines and polygons.

I believe the issue along with a project file has been submitted to the development team. I also posted this issue on the Colorado GIS listserve and was contacted by Robert LeClair with Esri. He asked me to send him the information and I believe has forwarded it on.

Re: 2D layers not displaying in 3D Scene.

JeremyWright — Wed, 05 Aug 2015 19:09:55 GMT

Thanks Tripp,

I got the data from Robert and assigned a bug to the appropriate developer for resolution.

Regards,

Jeremy W.

Re: 2D layers not displaying in 3D Scene.

Anonymous User — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 16:15:23 GMT

Hey Tripp, I'm just down the road here Savannah in GA State Plane East. I installed Pro today. First time using it. I am interested in using it to create surfaces for airport planning but I think I'm having the same issue you are. I just can't get any data to appear in 3D. Just wanted to chime in, perhaps it's a Georgia thing or a State Plane PCS thing.

Re: 2D layers not displaying in 3D Scene.

Anonymous User — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 17:57:33 GMT

Tripp & all, I found my issue. The projection was undefined. Make sure it is defined. Pro will not warn you like ArcMap.

Re: 2D layers not displaying in 3D Scene.

JeremyWright — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 18:00:05 GMT

Kevin,

You will get a warning if you import an MXD that has this problem. But yeah, right now there's no UI to warn you about undefined projection data in 3d views. Were you in Global Scene or Local Scene?

Regards,

Jeremy W.

Re: 2D layers not displaying in 3D Scene.

Anonymous User — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 18:03:17 GMT

local. A warning would be helpful.. to protect us, from ourselves.

Re: 2D layers not displaying in 3D Scene.

TrippCorbin — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 00:27:19 GMT

In my case all my data was in a defined projection. Good to know about the lack of warning if it is missing.

Re: 2D layers not displaying in 3D Scene.

Dr__SamArundel — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 18:11:24 GMT

I have a very similar problem.

1. I used the local template to build a scene.

2. I added the two layers below to that scene. Those two layers are both in the same coordinate system. Besides the two layers I have added, there is the default Topographic layer. No other layers exist in the scene.

a. a bare earth DEM created from las files as a raster in a file geodatabase (called DEM below).

b. an index of the the las tiles (from which I built the DEM) as a polygon shapefile. (called TILES below).

I want to see my DEM in 3D, but I cannot add it to the 3D Layers group. However, in the 2D Layer group, it does draw, just flat.

I CAN add my TILES to the 3D Layers group. but I cannot pan the scene view in a 3D-way. The view only zooms in and out with my mouse wheel.

I have set my DEM as the Ground in the Map Properties>Scene>Elevation Surface properties

What I see is a very strange picture.

Can anyone help?

Thanks!

Sam

Re: 2D layers not displaying in 3D Scene.

TrippCorbin — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 19:54:09 GMT

So I would try a couple things. First make sure to set your DEM as the ground elevation for your scene. Then try removing the Esri elevation surface. This will set your DEM as the ground surface elevation. That may help fix your problem.

Now I might be mistaken on this but I don't believe a raster can be a 3D layer. I think all 3D layers currently must be vector. However if you set your ground surface as your DEM then add it as a 2D layer, it should drape over the DEM Ground surface creating a 3D view. Similar to adding an aerial.

Re: 2D layers not displaying in 3D Scene.

JeremyWright — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 20:18:28 GMT

looks like you need to:

1. add the dem to the ground surface. do this in Map Properties->Elevation Surface, click the "add data" button and path to your DEM. Once it's added, make sure it's on top.

2. Move the tiles to the 2d layers group. You want them to "Drape" on the DEM, not be flat tiles that are passing through it.

3. Make sure all layers are set to "on the ground" in the Elevation layer properties tab.

Re: 2D layers not displaying in 3D Scene.

Dr__SamArundel — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 12:53:19 GMT

Thanks, Jeremy!

If you read all the way through my original post, you will see that I had

already completed #1.

#3 was also "done."

So I moved the TILES to 2D.

I still cannot 'explore' in 3D. Pan just pans and the mouse wheel just

zooms in and out. I cannot rotate, change my viewing angle, etc.

Sam

Re: 2D layers not displaying in 3D Scene.

David — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 16:30:01 GMT

Dr. Arundel,

To explore in 3D with the mouse wheel, press down on the wheel (click) and move the mouse around. You can also use keyboard shortcuts like:

v + arrow keys: to rotate around center

b + arrow keys: to look around

arrow keys to nudge

press and hold q and move the mouse to roam

They only work when viewing a 3D scene and make sure you have the Explore tool chosen to take advantage of these keyboard shortcuts.

Re: 2D layers not displaying in 3D Scene.

JeremyWright — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 16:45:44 GMT

PROTIP: If you're using another tool such as measure, an editing tool, or selection, etc. you can always hold down the C key to get back the Explore tool temporarily.

Dr. Arundel,

If you switch back to Explore tool or use the C hotkey, does that let you move in 3d?

Re: 2D layers not displaying in 3D Scene.

Dr__SamArundel — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 13:21:34 GMT

Yes, so pressing down on the wheel and moving the mouse zooms in and out

only.

The keyboard shortcuts do the same thing.

Re: 2D layers not displaying in 3D Scene.

TrippCorbin — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 14:00:52 GMT

Dr. Arundel

You may want to consider taking the following Esri online classes. They helped get me going with ArcGIS Pro and gain a better understanding of the interface.

Esri Training | Getting Started with ArcGIS Pro

Esri Training | 3D Visualization Using ArcGIS Pro