About measuring distances and heights in 3D

The Measure tool in ArcScene allows you to measure 3D straight-line distances, heights in 3D, and the distance between the observer and target. You can also get the measurements of features such as points, lines, polygons, and multipatches.

Click the Measure tool on the Tools toolbar, and the Measure window appears. The ArcScene pointer icon changes, and by default, the Measure Length On Ground tool is enabled until you choose a different option from the Measure dialog box. As a result, until you click on a feature in the scene, you can move the Measure Length On Ground pointer around and get automatic feedback in the dialog box reporting its geographic location and the distance between the observer and target. The pointer location is treated as the target on the surface.

Using the other tools available, you can choose to draw a line and get its 3D straight-line distance measurement or height information. On the Measure dialog box, you can also set the units to report the results in. Measurements are displayed inside the window, so it is easy to copy and paste them into other applications.

The tools on the Measure window are described below:

• Measure a 2D line distance over ground. Double-click to complete the line. This line feature will conform to the surface.
• Measure a direct 3D straight-line distance. Double-click to complete the line.
• Measure the height in 3D. Double-click to complete the line or height measurement.
• Measure an area. Double-click to complete the polygon.
• Click a feature to measure its length (line); perimeter and area (polygon); height (multipatch); or x,y,z location (point features).
• Keep a sum of consecutive measurements.
• Set the distance and area measurement units. The measurement units are set to the map units by default.
• Clear and reset the measurement results in the dialog box.

Note:

• If there is no defined coordinate system in your ArcScene document, the Measure window will display values marked with unknown units. Care should be taken when defining your scene document that it is using spatially referenced data. With spatially referenced data, you can also choose from a list of unit options and see your measurements converted for comparison.
• Measuring distances and heights in 3D does not utilize snapping as with the ArcMap Measure tool.