Geoprocessing tools for terrain datasets

Geoprocessing tools allow you to create, conduct surface analysis on, modify, and convert Terrain datasets.

3D Features tools

One tool in the 3D Features toolset accepts Terrain datasets as input.

Tool	Description
Skyline	Generates a line or multipatch feature class containing the results from a skyline silhouette analysis. The analysis is conducted from observer points above a functional or virtual surface and will also consider features that are encountered during the analysis. When used in conjunction with other tools, especially the Skyline Barrier tool, shadow volumes and other such features can be created.

3D Features tool

Conversion tools

There are three geoprocessing tools associated with conversion of Terrain datasets. The following table describes the geoprocessing tools designed for converting a Terrain dataset to either araster, TIN dataset, or point feature class.

Tool	Description
Terrain To Points	Converts a terrain dataset to a point or multipoint feature class
Terrain To Raster	Converts a terrain to a raster
Terrain To TIN	Converts a terrain to a TIN

Conversion tools

Functional Surface tools

There are four geoprocessing tools associated with functional surface analysis using terrain datasets. The following table describes the geoprocessing tools designed to work directly with a terrain dataset.

Tool	Description
Add Surface Information	Adds surface-related information to a given feature class
Interpolate Shape	Interpolates z-values for features based on a surface
Line Of Sight	Creates a line feature class containing visibility information
Surface Volume	Calculates the area and volume of a surface above or below a given reference plane

Functional Surface tools

Terrain and TIN Surface tools

Terrain and TIN Surface tools allow you to create feature classes that extract 3D information from terrain or TIN surfaces. Using the Terrain and TIN Surface toolset, you can determine patterns that are not readily apparent in the original surface, such as slope and aspect.

Tool	Description
Interpolate Polygon To Multipatch	This tool creates surface-conforming areal features by extracting those portions of a TIN or terrain dataset surface that fall within the extent of input polygons as multipatches.
Locate Outliers	Locates points which appear to be anomalies when compared to a surface. These points represent points that may be blunders and may need to be eliminated from the creation of the surface.
Polygon Volume	Calculates the volumetric and surface area between polygons of an input feature class and a terrain dataset or TIN surface.
Surface Aspect	This tool extracts aspect information from an input TIN or terrain dataset into an output feature class. It produces a polygon feature class whose polygons are categorized by the input surface triangle aspect values.
Surface Contour	Creates a feature class containing a set of contours generated from a terrain dataset or TIN surface. The output feature class is 2D and contains an attribute with contour values.
Surface Difference	This tool calculates the volumetric difference between two triangulated irregular networks (TIN), or terrain datasets.
Surface Slope	Extracts slope information from an input TIN or terrain dataset into an output feature class.

Terrain and TIN Surface tools