ArcGIS 3D Analyst

What do you like best?

ArcGIS 3D Analyst can be implemented both in ArcMap or ArcScene. You can easily create a 3D surface in different formats such as digital elevation models (DEM) or triangulated irregular network (TIN) from elevation points or contour lines. Once the 3D surface is created, you can generate contour lines, create a profile graph or perform various analysis such as aspect, slope, hill shade, etc.

You will have even more options if you use ArcGIS 3D Analyst in ArcScene. Extrusion tool enables you to create a 3D map of buildings in your study area. You can add 3D symbols, get different 3D views, or even create an animation!

What do you dislike?

It is not the ArcGIS 3D Analyst problem per se but since the 3D surfaces are generated in raster format, the file size will greatly increase and might slow down the process when you are working on a large area.

Another issue is when you are working with extrusion for 3D buildings in ArcScene, the software capabilities in terms of appearances, applying materials, etc. are a little limited. It was nice to have more options like what City Engine offers.

Recommendations to others considering the product:

If you are a student and your school provides a free student license you're lucky and should take advantage of this opportunity to master 3D Analyst. However, it might be a little pricy to get an individual license.

Make sure to try it both in ArcMap and ArcScene. Although the basics are the same, it will offer different capabilities in ArcScene. It just depends on what you are trying to achieve through you 3D analysis.

What problems are you solving with the product? What benefits have you realized?

ArcGIS 3D Analyst is a great tool for addressing various problems. In my field of study, urban planning, 3D Analyst is an important tool for flood modeling. Using 3D surfaces generated by this tool you can predict the water flows in case of e heavy rain for example.

There are a large number of issues and problems that can be studied and solved with the help of ArcGIS 3dD Analyst.