The 3D Editor toolbar

The 3D Editor toolbar contains a collection of tools to create, update, or delete features directly within the display. Editing in 3D is designed to work with the 3D Analyst extension in ArcGlobe and ArcScene. You can expect the same process for editing in 3D as editing in ArcMap (2D). However, there are some fundamental differences. The tools are easily available to you from a dockable toolbar and a pull-down 3D Editor menu. You have access to a complete suite of commands for actions such as Move, Rotate, Size, and Scale, as well as 3D specific tools, such as for multipatches. All tools provide real-time surface feedback, which permits you to save your edits directly back the document or undo your changes.

You can set preferences for editing in 3D on the Editing Options dialog box, which is opened by clicking the 3D Editor menu and clicking Options. For example, you can set the units and number of decimal places used for entering measurements, which symbols and toolbars are displayed while editing, and so on. Additionally, the snapping environment is included to streamline your edits. It establishes the exact location of new feature vertices. Snapping tolerance, properties, and priority must be set before using the snapping experience.

The 3D Editor toolbar drop-down menu

3D Editor toolbar drop-down menu options

Option	Description	Keyboard shortcut
Start Editing	Allows you to start a 3D edit session and enable the 3D tools.
Stop Editing	Allows you to stop a 3D edit session. You will be prompted to save or discard the most recent unsaved edits.
Save Edits	Saves the changes while you edit. This is recommended before ending your edit session.
Move	Moves the selected features right, left, back, forward, up, or down.	Select feature and press the M key.
Rotate	Rotates features around the x,y plane.	Select feature and press the R key.
Scale	Resizes the selected feature(s).	Select feature and press the C key.
Split	Manually splits a line into two at the location you click, creating a new feature. You can also use specified distances or percentages to split a line.
Copy Parallel	Creates a copy of a line feature and offsets it a specified distance on either left, right, or both sides of the original.
Merge	Combines selected features of the same layer into one feature. Applies to only lines or polygons.
Union	Combines selected features into one new feature.
Intersect	Creates a new feature from the shared area or edges of two selected features of the same geometry type.
Duplicate Vertical	Duplicates the selected features with a specified vertical offset.
Replace with model	Available only to multipatch features. This replaces the geometry of the selected feature(s) with a 3D model.
Snapping	Enables snapping to establish the exact location of new feature vertices in relation to other existing features.
Options	Opens the Editing Options dialog box. Note: The 3D Editing Options dialog box does not include the Topology and Annotation tabs as it does in the ArcMap editing environment.

The 3D Editor toolbar tools

Tools for editing in 3D

Tool	Description
Edit Placement Tool	Allows you to select and interactively move, rotate, and scale features.
Edit Vertex Tool	Allows you to select and update a vertex of a feature, such as add and delete, when in an edit session. Right-click a vertex to open the context menu as a shortcut to many vertex editing tasks such as Insert and Move.
Edit Vertices	Highlights all the vertices of a selected feature by activating Edit Vertex mode. Allows you to edit the vertices and segments that make up a feature. A shortcut is to use the Edit Vertex tool and double-click the feature.
Cut Polygons Tool	Splits a polygon and creates one or more new features. Edge snapping often helps ensure the cut operation is completed successfully.
Split Tool	Divides a selected line feature into two features.
Attributes	Allows you to view and edit (including add, delete, or update) attributes of features you have selected.
Sketch Properties	Allows you to edit the attributes of vertices, such as m-values and z-values, in the Edit Sketch Properties window.
Create Features	Opens the Create Features window, where templates and construction tools allow you to add new features.