3D to KML - doesn't retain 3D affect

[denisedavis]

I'm trying to get my 3D ArcScene to export to KML files so I can see it in Google Earth as 3D. Does anyone know if this will even work? If I can get the KML's to show up as 3D, can you let me know what I could be doing wrong? Thanks in advance for any help.

[TimothyHales]

Try using the Layer to KML tool from ArcScene.  The 3D properties from the layer will export to the KML.  I just tested this process on a multipatch feature class and the KML opened in Google Earth in 3D.  Make sure you properly setting the reference scale or they may not display correctly. 

Look at the 'Setting 3D display properties' section in Preparing your map documents in ArcGIS for KML publishing for some additional tips.

[denisedavis]

I just tested this process on a multipatch feature class and the KML opened in Google Earth in 3D.

I've looked in the help you provided and I used the Layer to KML tool. Do all my layers need to be "Multipatch"? I have lines I'd like to see as tubes, and points I'd like to see as boxes and cylinders. Will I need to recreate them using the multipatch feature dataset?

Thanks for your help!

[TimothyHales]

You should not have to create the multipatch file.  As long as you set the extrusion so the layer displays in 3D within ArcScene then the layers should carry the 3D properties to KML.  Make sure the 'Return single composite image' option is not checked as this will create a raster overlay image.  If that does not work, you can use the Layer 3D to Feature Class tool to convert it to a multipatch to see if you are getting any different results.  Before using this tool, make sure that the 3D properties have been set so that they display correctly in 3D.

[denisedavis]

Thank you all your help Timothy. Unfortunately, I am still not able to see the "tube" in Google Earth. It looks like a thicker line. I tried converting it to a multipatch and as you stated earlier, it becomes a raster and overlays (drapes) in Google Earth. I converted the multi patch to a collada and that looks most like what I'm looking for but I haven't been able to figure out how to symbolize it. I've downloaded sketchup 8 and I'm trying to figure out how to edit the .dae in this program.

[JakubSisak]

I'm trying to get my 3D ArcScene to export to KML files so I can see it in Google Earth as 3D. Does anyone know if this will even work? If I can get the KML's to show up as 3D, can you let me know what I could be doing wrong? Thanks in advance for any help.

I'd strongly suggest you do this in Google SketchUp 8 where this process is flawless. You can export multipatch features to collada then take it from there.

[denisedavis]

Thank you Jakob. I'm working in SketchUp8 and it works great as far as the visual effect I'm looking for. I don't seem to retain the attributes associated with the feature though. Is there any way to keep so I don't have to create new notes in Google Earth.

[TimothyHales]

Looks like there may be a few bugs related to this issue.  I would suggest contacting Esri Support to have this problem looked into further.

[AlexMandel]

I also found that the layer to kml does not appear to preserve extrusions. It does however appear to place objects with Z values at elevation.

The alternate method to achieve what you want might be on this page http://help.arcgis.com/en/arcgisdesktop/10.0/help/index.html#/KML_examples/00s200000006000000/

I used the "Publishing 3D vector features as KML" and was able to get extrusion to come out exactly as had been specified in ArcGlobe, did not try ArcScene yet.

Note, right click copy paste from Globe to Map, dragging does not work.
Note, I used a regular 2D shapefile with extrusion in the ArcGlobe symbology based on a field.

[ChristianFertner1]

I have the same problem - did you find any solution yet?