Setting the base height from a surface

When displaying 2D and 3D features inside ArcGlobe, you can define their base heights using the surface of the globe or a custom surface. To do so, you will use the Layer Properties dialog box which you can open by double-clicking the layer in the table of contents as a shortcut.

If you want to improve rendering speed you can rasterize the layer. Simply check the Rasterize feature layer setting on the Globe Display tab of the layer's properties. Keep in mind however that to apply a layer offset, the feature layer must not be rasterized. Unchecking the Rasterize feature layer option will disable this setting.

To set the base heights for a layer in ArcGlobe using a surface, do the following.

Steps:

1. Right-click the layer in the table of contents and click Properties.
2. Click the Elevation tab.
3. Use the following surface choices your elevation source.

   Globe surface	Click the Drape layer on globe surface option. The layer will be drawn in 3D using the globe surface to provide z-values.
   Custom surface	Optionally click Floating on a custom surface and use the browse button to choose a specific surface to use. If the elevation layer already exists in the document, you can use the drop-down list to select it.

If you don't want to use the globe surface, browsing to a custom surface lets you specify another source for base heights. Two-dimensional feature layers will automatically drape on the specified surface because they have no internal geometry, unless an optional constant value or expression is applied. Three-dimensional features will float over the custom surface, deriving their heights from that layer.
4. Click OK.

The layer is drawn in 3D using the globe surface or a specified surface to provide the z-values.

Tip:

• Use the elevation graphics on the Elevation tab to assist in defining z-values for layers and/or their applied offsets. Each parameter in the dialog box will correspond to a custom graphic for how your selection will be applied.