Creating and Texturing

Learn basic techniques for creating 3D buildings

By Craig McCabe, Esri Mapping Center Team

The 3D virtual city is emerging as an essential Supporting Data

GIS tool for visualization and analysis in the Folder Item Description
urban environment—from placing a proposed
building construction in the context of its sur- Maps and GDBs Overpass.3dd The ArcGlobe document for viewing
roundings to conducting analyses in three di- the overpass content in 3D
mensions such as line-of-sight or 3D volumet-
Overpass.gdb A geodatabase containing high-
ric shadows. The multipatch, Esri’s native 3D
resolution imagery, polygon, and
feature type, is a key element whether work-
multipatch overpass features used in
ing in ArcGlobe or ArcScene. ArcGIS 10 in-
the workflow
troduces a host of new 3D data management
and analysis capabilities that enhance 3D 3D Models COLLADA (*.dae) A folder containing untextured
analysis. models (before) and textured (after) 3D
This exercise walks the reader through the overpass models in COLLADA
process of creating and adding texture to a format.
3D multipatch feature. It uses a geometrically The folder and files in the Multipatch Overpass ZIP file. Note: The Overpass.gdb
simple urban feature—a freeway overpass in in Maps and GDBs folder includes the overpass feature in various stages of the
downtown Philadelphia—and starts with a construction process, so more advanced users can skip some portions of the
polygon and some high-resolution aerial im- workflow if desired.
agery. The workflow outlined will familiarize
the reader with tools in ArcGIS 10 for import-
ing, exporting, and placing different types of
3D features.
It’s assumed that the reader is familiar with
ArcGIS Desktop applications and the ArcGIS
3D Analyst extension, including ArcGlobe.
Some familiarity with Google SketchUp may
also be helpful. To complete this exercise, the
following software and data are required
 ArcGIS 10 with the 3D Analyst and Spatial
Analyst extensions
 Google SketchUp 8 (free version available
at sketchup.google.com/download/)
 Multipatch Overpass data .zip file on
ArcGIS.com (bit.ly/ep5a2s)
The 16-step workflow is organized into four
sections:
1. Extruding an overpass polygon and exporting
it as a 3D multipatch feature from ArcGlobe
2. Extracting aerial imagery to use as a sur-
face texture
3. Applying the extracted imagery to the
overpass in SketchUp
4. Importing the newly textured overpass Figure 1: This exercise shows how to correct this sampling error, commonly seen in
back into ArcGlobe high-resolution DEMs in urban environments.

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 Software and Data

Multipatch Features

Exercise Overview
This exercise starts with an overpass feature
that has been poorly captured by the existing
1-meter (m) digital elevation model (DEM)
for downtown Philadelphia as shown in Fig-
ure 1. This type sampling error is commonly
seen in high-resolution DEMs in urban en-
vironments that show overlapping roadways
and structures of different elevations. Lower-
resolution DEMs, by comparison, just make
features look flat. One approach to correcting
this situation might be to edit the DEM or add
a patch to raise that road and create a flat sur-
face. Although this fixes the elevation of the
overpass road, it creates an impenetrable wall
in the underlying expressway.
Instead of editing the DEM, this tutorial Figure 2: Add the polygon feature created in ArcMap to Overpass.3dd.
will show how to create a simple but realistic-
looking overpass as a 3D multipatch feature
that spans the gap and has a void space under-
neath. This process requires a polygon file and
a swatch of high-resolution imagery. Sketch-
Up will be used to apply imagery to the top of
the 3D overpass model.

Section 1: Create a 3D Multipatch from

an Extruded Polygon
1. The first step is to create a polygon feature
using ArcMap in universal transverse Mer-
cator (UTM) Zone 18N. Later, this polygon
will be extruded to create a 3D volume for
the overpass. After adding the imagery file in
the Overpass geodatabase to an ArcMap docu-
ment, create a simple rectangular shape and
ensure that there are small areas of overlap
at each end of the overpass. (The completed
polygon feature is overpass_ply and is includ-
ed in Overpass.gdb.)
2. Close ArcMap and open the ArcGlobe
Overpass.3dd file. Add the polygon feature
just created. By default, the polygon will drape
Figure 3: By default, the polygon will drape over the globe surface like a blanket.
Continued on page 10

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 Creating and Texturing Multipatch Features
Continued from page 9

and a -2 extrusion or an elevation of 10 meters

and a +2 extrusion.
6. Next, use the Layer 3D To Feature Class
tool in the 3D Analyst toolbox to convert the
extruded 3D polygon to a multipatch feature.
(Use overpass_mp to skip this step.)
7. Now the 3D multipatch feature needs to be
converted to a COLLADA format file so that
it can be imported into SketchUp to apply the
imagery. This is done using the Multipatch To
COLLADA tool in the Conversion toolbox,
which outputs the COLLADA file to a speci-
fied folder.

Section 2: Extract Surface Imagery

8. Use the Extract By Mask tool in the Spatial
Figure 4: To determine the elevation of the overpass once it’s extruded, sample the Analyst toolbox to extract imagery for the top
value of the DEM on each end of the roadway (as indicated by the ovals). of the overpass. The parameters for this tool

over the globe surface like a blanket. Ensure

that the polygon completely spans the road-
way below as well as part of the elevated road
surface on each end so there are no gaps when
the polygon is extruded to 3D.
3. To correctly place the elevation of the
overpass once it's extruded, sample the value
of the DEM on each end of the roadway (as
indicated by the ovals shown in Figure 4). Use
the Identify tool to sample the elevation, with
1-m DEM specified as the Identify from layer.
Both sides of the overpass will have an eleva-
tion value of about 41 feet.
4. To set the elevation of the overpass poly-
gon, open the Layer Properties > Elevation
tab and select the Floating without a surface
option. Input a constant offset value for the
desired elevation in the text box in the lower
right side of the Layer Properties dialog box
as shown in Figure 5. The DEM is 41 feet (this
is pretty close to 12 meters), and this height
bridges the gap well.
5. With the base elevation determined, an ex-
trusion of 2 m is applied. To ensure that the top
of the overpass matches the road surface on
each side, use either an elevation of 12 meters Figure 5: Set the elevation under Layer Properties.

10 ArcUser Winter 2011 esri.com

 Software and Data

Figure 6: Use the Layer 3D To Feature Class tool to convert the extruded 3D polygon (left) to a multipatch feature (right).

Figure 7: Use the

Extract By Mask
tool in the Spatial
Analyst toolbox to
extract imagery
for the top of the
overpass.

include the imagery swatch as the input raster with the Select tool. Use File > Import, select
and the overpass polygon as the feature mask. the *.png file type, then navigate to the PNG
(The imagery_extract file can be used to skip imagery exported in Step 9. With the Use as
this step.) texture option enabled, roughly place the im-
9. Next, convert this extracted imagery to age on the top face (don’t worry about the ex-
PNG format using the Copy Raster tool in the act placement for now).
Data Management toolbox. The input raster is 12. With the top face still selected, finely ad-
imagery_extract, the output raster is imagery just the position of the imagery by choosing
is PNG and the pixel type is 8-bit unsigned. Edit > Face > Texture > Position. Four pins
will appear at each corner of the image. Move
Section 3: Apply Surface Imagery and Figure 8: In each pin to the four edges of the overpass and
Color to the 3D Overpass in SketchUp SketchUp, use stretch the imagery until it fits.
10. Open SketchUp and use File > Import to the Select tool to 13. With the imagery in place, use the Paint
import the COLLADA model (*.dae) saved in select the model, Bucket tool to apply color to the sides and bot-
Step 7. Use the Select tool to select the model, then right-click and tom of the overpass. (Color_C15 in the Mate-
then right-click and select the Explode option. select Explode. rials palate roughly matches the color of the
11. Activate just the top face of the overpass
Continued on page 12

esri.com ArcUser Winter 2011 11

 Creating and Texturing Multipatch Features
Continued from page 11

Figure 10: Use the Paint

Bucket to color the sides and
bottom of the overpass.

Figure 9: Move the four pins to the edges of the overpass and stretch the imagery to fit.

concrete.)
14. Once the imagery has been added and
painted, export the model (File > Export >
3D Model) back to a COLLADA file, which
Master of Science in GIS
will then be used to replace the untextured
multipatch in the ArcGlobe document. [Note: at the University of Redlands
SketchUp version 6 format may be used in
place of COLLADA for this step (File > Save

O
As > SketchUp Version 6).] ur MS GIS Program is designed for an audience of professionals seeking to
improve their knowledge of the analysis and management of geographic
Section 4: Importing the Textured information. We offer both a full-time and a part-time residential program. Within the
Overpass Back into ArcGlobe University’s interdisciplinary learning environment, students have an unparalleled
15. In ArcGlobe, begin a 3D editing session. opportunity to interact personally not only with University faculty, staff, and students
Use the Edit Placement tool on the 3D Edi- from other programs, but also with the many talented professionals at the world’s
tor toolbar to select the overpass. While the
leading GIS company, ESRI, located in close proximity to the University.
overpass is selected, use the Replace with
Model function in the 3D Editor toolbar and The University of Redlands, founded in 1907, is a fully-accredited, liberal arts and
navigate to the COLLADA(or SketchUp) file
sciences university. This intensive, international learning environment ensures a global
saved in Step 14. (A textured COLLADA file
context of relevance to students from around the world. Graduates of this program
is also provided in the 3D Models directory
can become GIS practitioners prepared for positions such as project managers,
in the ZIP file.) After the file is selected, save
the edits. The newly textured overpass will ap- applications specialists, and applications software development team members.
pear in place of the untextured version (The
textured multipatch supplied in the Overpass.
gdb is overpass_mp feature.)
16. As a final touch, add shadow underneath For information call (909) 748-8128 or visit
the overpass to mask the duplicate imag- www.msgis.redlands.edu
ery on the expressway below. A copy of the

12 ArcUser Winter 2011 esri.com

 Software and Data

but the techniques for feature extrusion, mul-

tipatch creation, and texturing can be applied
to create complicated 3D structures such as
bridges, houses, or high-rises. If just 3D anal-
ysis is the goal, skip the texturing steps and
see the ArcGIS Resource Center help topic
“Obtaining elevation information for build-
ing footprints” to learn how to quickly create
a city’s worth of 3D multipatch buildings from
footprint polygons with height attributes.
Visit the 3D GIS Resource Center (bit.ly/
a0vnDp) and 3D GIS blog (bit.ly/g5J6xq) for
tips on working with and analyzing 3D data in
ArcGIS, and video demonstrations highlight-
ing the different types of analysis possible in
ArcGIS 10, such as volumetric shadow analy-
Figure 11: Use the Edit Placement tool and the Replace with Model function in the
sis over time, 3D feature extraction from Li-
3D Editor toolbar to add the COLLADA (or SketchUp) file.
DAR, and 3D viewshed analysis. Download
original overpass polygon was adjusted to compared with the original image, is shown in additional 3D templates and workflows from
be slightly narrower on each side so that the Figure 12. the 3D Template Gallery. The 3D City: Phila-
shadow doesn’t appear on the upper road delphia template is particularly useful for those
surface edges. (Use shadow_ply in the Over- Conclusion new to virtual cities in ArcGlobe. It includes a
pass geodatabase.) An 80 percent black fill This exercise outlined the basic steps and tools collection of highly detailed 3D building mod-
is applied (CMYK=0,0,0,80) along with a needed to create a textured 3D multipatch fea- els, vegetation, and street furniture for down-
10 percent transparency. The finished product, ture in ArcGIS 10. The workflow is simple, town Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Figure 12: Now

compare the overpass
in these before (left)
and after (right)
images.

esri.com ArcUser Winter 2011 13