Applications Week 3: Visibility Analysis

In this lab we completed four Esri modules: Introduction to 3D Visualization, Performing Line of Sight Analysis, Performing Viewshed Analysis in ArcGIS Pro, and Sharing 3D Content Using Scene Layer Packages. 

A global 3D scene of San Diego with trees, parks, buildings, and marina, and sunrise illumination

3D Visualization

I had no idea you could do 3D visualization in ArcGIS Pro! It’s so easy to add varied and detailed 3D symbology to layers, which we did with a scene of San Diego's buildings, trees, parks, and marina. I really enjoyed adjusting the time of day in global scenes to create different lighting conditions and looking at all the buildings and trees from multiple angles. I learned how to symbolize features using a procedural rule package, how to extrude 2D features based on attributes, and how to change the cartographic offset of point feature to ensure that they are visible on a variable landscape.

Line of Sight Analysis

In this module I learned how to perform line of sight analysis along a target route by using the Construct Sight Lines, Line of Sight, Add Z Information, and removing lines of sight that do not have target visibility or are too far from the observer. We explored these concepts by analyzing how much of a parade route in Philadelphia was visible for surveillance purposes from two observer points on buildings.

Viewshed Analysis

Using the example of how much of a campground is illuminated by at least two lights, I learned how to set the azimuth, vertical offset, and radius of viewpoints and how to create a viewshed. I discovered that the higher the elevation of the lights, the more area their viewshed covered.

Sharing 3D Content Using Scene Layer Packages

Finally, I learned how to display 2D data as 3D layers, convert 2D data to 3D, and create a scene layer package (.slpk) in ArcGIS Pro and share it using ArcGIS Online. We practiced this with a 3D scene of Portland, Oregon.

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