Creating 3D Models Using ArcGISTM

Created by Phyllis T. Uy, Z Corporation

Rev C October 2003

ESRI software allows GIS organizations to take a topographical map and turn it into a VRML file
which can then be printed on a Z Corporation 3D Printer. This document contains two sections.
The first section will go through a few steps of taking contour lines, making it into a TIN, draping a
satellite image on the TIN, and then exporting it as a VRML. The second section will explain
taking a SDTS (Spatial Data Transfer Standard) DEM file and translating the file into a printable
VRML file using some of the tools in ArcScene 8.1.

If you have additional questions about manipulating data, please contact ESRI for more
information. For information about how to print a 3D model of your part, please contact the Z
Corporation Applications Team at applications@zcorp.com.

Z Corporation would like to thank the Traffic and Transportation Department of the City of
Rockville, Maryland for the sample model used in this document.

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Creating a Printable VRML Using TIN

1. Open the ArcScene application.

2. Open a *.shp file by clicking on the ‘Add Data’ icon and then finding the *.shp file you
wish to import. Then click ‘Add’.

Add Data

Select a *.shp file

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3. Once imported, create a TIN file using the contour lines, by choosing the ‘Create TIN
from Features…’ option from the 3D Analyst drop down menu.

4. Specify the properties for the TIN file. Click ‘OK’ when finished.

Check a layer option, height

source and triangulation option.

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5. You will now have an elevated surface. Turn off the Topo layer, so that you to examine
the TIN file.

Deselect topo layer to

remove from view.

6. You may now drape a satellite image, or other information you would like to communicate
on top of the surface. Click on the ‘Add Data’ icon. Select the information you would like
drape. Click ‘Add’.

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7. The information will not be draped over the TIN surface. To drape the information on the
TIN surface, right-click the information you want to drape, and click on ‘Properties’.

TIN Surface

Image

8. Select the Base Heights Tab, then choose to obtain height information from the TIN
surface. Click ‘Apply’ to preview the information draped on the TIN surface. Click ‘OK’
when finished.

Choose to obtain
heights for layer
from surface from
the TIN surface Base Heights Tab

Apply to preview information

draped on TIN surface.

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9. Deselect the TIN layer to view information data. Choose to export data into a 3D model
by selecting the ‘Export Scene’ option under File menu and choosing 3D.

10. Open the VRML file into ZPrint Software and choose the ‘Create Solid’ option under the
Edit menu. Select a base height and click ‘OK’ when finished. Re-justify the part to the
bottom, review cross section, and print.

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Creating a Printable VRML Using DEM

1. Convert the SDTS file to DEM using SDTS2DEM.exe – available from the GIS Depot
site. (In this tutorial, we will be using a map of Honolulu, HI.)

a. Download SDTS2DEM.exe from GIS Depot site and place in the same directory
as the SDTS data – http://data.geocomm.com/dem/sdts2dem.html.

b. Run the executable to convert the SDTS file to DEM.

c. Enter the first four characters of your data (make sure all the files begin with
these characters). Press enter. Then type a file name. Press enter.

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 d. The program will create a DEM file into the same directory as your files.

2. Launch ArcToolbox. Select the DEM to GRID tool by double clicking.

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3. Select the DEM file that was created by SDTS2DEM.exe and then select a directory and
name for the output grid. Click ‘OK’ when finished.

Select a DEM to
translate.

Select a directory
and file name for
the grid output.

4. Launch ArcScene. Select the ‘Add Data’ icon. Navigate to the directory with the grid
created by ArcToolbox, and select the file. Click ‘Add’ when finished. A window showing
pyramid options will appear. Choose to build pyramids.

Choose to open
the grid by
clicking the 'Add
Data' icon.

Select the grid.

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5. Right click on ‘Scene Layers’. Select ‘Scene Properties’.

6. Change the vertical exaggeration to add more pronounced 3D height to your grid.

7. Right click on the grid layer and choose ‘Properties.’

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8. Choose the Base Heights tab and select to obtain heights from the grid data. Click ‘Apply’
when finished.

Select Base
Height to create
3D height

Select to obtain
layer height from
grid information

9. The model should be displayed in as a 3D replica of the file. In this tutorial, the colors
were modified to help display the 3D contours of the part.

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 10. Make additional changes if needed. When complete, select the ‘Export Scene’ option
under the File menu. Then choose ‘3D...’ Type a file name and click ‘Export’ when
finished.

11. Open the VRML file into ZPrint Software and choose the ‘Create Solid’ option under the
Edit menu. Select a base height and click ‘OK’ when finished. Re-justify the part to the
bottom, review cross section, and print.

For more information, please contact the Z Corporation Applications Team at applications@zcorp.com.

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