Is it possible to Import and Georeference 3D Model into ArcGIS Scene Without ArcGIS Pro?

[FrancescoCotana]

I have an ArcGIS Online student license, but I don’t have access to ArcGIS Pro. I created a 3D model using Rhinoceros consisting of meshes, I would like to georeference it and import it into an ArcGIS Scene. Is it possible to do this without ArcGIS Pro?
I've tried to georeference it using Cesion Ion but the file I manage to donwload from Cesion is a Json file and I can't import it on ArcGIS online. "The JSON file you are uploading is not valid GeoJSON (missing 'type')."

Thank you!

[Nikola_Marincic]

To upload and georeference 3D models in a web scene in ArcGIS Online, you need an editable 3D Object Layer. Currently, the process of publishing this type of layer requires the use of ArcGIS Pro and a layer publishing role. However, in one of the future releases, it will be possible to publish 3D Object Layers directly through ArcGIS Online. Alongside this enhancement, we plan to provide comprehensive documentation on 3D Object Layers.

Regarding your student license, ArcGIS for Student Use should grant you access to ArcGIS Pro Advanced, which will enable you to publish the necessary layer.

[FrancescoCotana]

Dear Nikola,

Thank you very much for your message, I've been told by support that I can not use use ArcGIS desktop. If I can not upload a 3D model on ArcGIS online, may I ask you which ArcGIS software allows for uploading and georeferencing of a 3d model?  
Sorry I'm a bit confused
Thank you very much for your time

Francesco Cotana
Thank you

[Nikola_Marincic]

Dear Francesco

You absolutely can use ArcGIS Online (we recommend starting with Scene Viewer) to upload and georeference 3D models.

However, you must first add a 3D Object Layer to your scene for this to work. This layer is used to host and visualize your models. To publish this kind of layer, you need publishing permissions and an ArcGIS Pro license, which should both be available to you if you purchased ArcGIS for Student Use. 

[FrancescoCotana]

Dear Nikola, thank you again for your answer,

I'm afraid I'm still confused. 
I've found this tutorial which I suppose deals with what you're suggesting me
https://learn.arcgis.com/en/projects/import-and-incorporate-3d-models-in-a-scene/#:~:text=Click%20th....
but my Scene Viewer interface is much more simplified (I suppose the scene viewer in the tutorial is the desktop version?). The way I've tried to import a model is through Content -> New Item. But I have found the problems I've describe earlier. Is there something I'm missing? Am I in the correct version of ArcGIS?
I'm sorry if this conversation is getting long, if you suggest I create another post I will.

[Nikola_Marincic]

Dear Francesco

The tutorial you posted uses ArcGIS Pro, which is a desktop application. Your initial question was whether 3D models could be added to a web scene without using ArcGIS Pro. There are two parts to the answer:

• You can add 3D models to a web scene in Scene Viewer in your web browser, without using ArcGIS Pro. But in order to do this, you need to publish a 3D object layer first.
• Publishing the 3D object layer at the moment requires ArcGIS Pro (desktop application). 

Therefore, at the moment, if you do not have access to ArcGIS Pro, you cannot publish the layer. If you don't have the layer, you can't add it to Scene Viewer, thus you can't upload 3D models.

There are two things you can do:

• You mentioned that you have a student license. I noted that ArcGIS for Student Use grants you access to ArcGIS Pro (that you need to publish the layer). If this is indeed the student version you have, you should be able to download and install ArcGIS Pro.
• If your license does not grant you access to ArcGIS Pro, but you have access to ArcGIS Online and Scene Viewer, in one of the new releases, it will be possible to publish a 3D object layer in ArcGIS  Online, and the comprehensive documentation will follow. I will link the documentation in this thread as soon it is available. 

[Nikola_Marincic]

Dear Francesco

As promised, our new blog post provides a comprehensive overview of 3D object layers and uploading 3D models in ArcGIS Online.