About defining the z-value for a layer

There are two ways to set base heights for features in 3D without requiring 3D geometry:

• Using an attribute or constant value
• Draping features on a surface

When using the first option, attribute values containing height information are assigned to the layer or used to create an expression that can provide base height values.

The constant value to be applied can be any whole number, which would become the feature's height in meters above the surface.

The second option, draping, is essentially setting the base heights from a surface. Surface elevation data includes single-band digital elevation model (DEM) rasters, triangulated irregular networks (TINs), and terrain datasets, but in ArcScene, terrain datasets cannot be directly consumed. The area of interest must first be converted to a raster or TIN. There are some conceptual differences when it comes to setting the role of the layer between ArcScene and ArcGlobe, including steps to define data as a draped layer.

The elevation surface providing z-values to the data does not have to be in the ArcScene document.

When working with raster layers, setting the base heights can be done with a surface or constant value.

Learn more about setting a raster layer's base height in ArcScene

Learn more about displaying 3D layers in a 3D view