Layer 3D To Feature Class (3D Analyst)

Summary

Exports feature layers that have 3D properties defined to a multipatch feature class.

Usage

• Only features whose rendering can be persisted as a multipatch will be converted, such as points symbolized with 3D markers. Texture fill symbols are not supported, nor are ArcMap layers because they do not retain any 3D properties.

• Only certain 3D properties are applied, for example:

  • 3D symbols assigned to points
  • 3D symbols assigned to lines
  • Extrusion applied to polygons
  • Nonextruded polygons with z-values
  • Texture downsampling assigned to multipatches

• Draped layers in ArcGlobe are not supported. Due to the dynamic nature of draped surfaces, height values will not be maintained.

• Textured fill symbols are not supported. If a feature in the layer uses 3D marker symbols with restricted properties, like textures, the feature will not be added to the output.

  Note:

  A feature layer with 3D properties handles well for most visualization applications and will not need to be converted to a multipatch. However, converting the layer to a multipatch would be particularly useful if the resulting multipatch will be used for additional editing in third-party modeling software or if the multipatch is large and would be consumed in ArcGlobe as a cached layer.

Syntax

Layer3DToFeatureClass_3d (in_feature_layer, out_feature_class, {group_field})

Parameter	Explanation	Data Type
in_feature_layer	The input feature layer that has 3D properties defined.	Feature Layer
out_feature_class	The output multipatch feature class.	Feature Class
group_field (Optional)	The field in the input feature class that identifies the features that will be combined into the same multipatch feature. The resulting attributes will be set to one of the input records.	Field

Code Sample

Layer3DToFeatureClass example 1 (Python window)

The following sample demonstrates the use of this tool in the Python window:

import arcpy
from arcpy import env

arcpy.CheckOutExtension("3D")
env.workspace = "C:/data"
arcpy.Layer3DToFeatureClass_3d("Points_3D.lyr", "Test.gdb/trees")

Layer3DToFeatureClass example 2 (stand-alone script)

The following sample demonstrates the use of this tool in a stand-alone Python script:

'''****************************************************************************
Name: Layer3DToFeatureClass Example
Description: This script demonstrates how to use the 
             Layer3DToFeatureClass tool to create multipatches from all
             layers in a target workspace. The layer files are assumed to have
             been saved wtih 3D rendering from ArcScene.
****************************************************************************'''
# Import system modules
import arcpy
from arcpy import env
import exceptions, sys, traceback

try:
    # Obtain a license for the ArcGIS 3D Analyst extension
    arcpy.CheckOutExtension("3D")
    
    # Set environment settings
    env.workspace = "C:/data"
    
    # Use the ListFiles method to identify all layer files in workspace
    if arcpy.ListFiles("*.lyr"):
        for lyrFile in arcpy.ListFiles("*.lyr"):
            # Set Local Variables
            outFC = "Test.gdb/{0}".format(lyrFile[:-4]) #Strips '.lyr' from name
            #Execute Layer3DToFeatureClass
            arcpy.Layer3DToFeatureClass_3d(file, outFC)
    else:
        "There are no layer files in {0}.".format(env.workspace)

except arcpy.ExecuteError:
    print arcpy.GetMessages()
except:
    # Get the traceback object
    tb = sys.exc_info()[2]
    tbinfo = traceback.format_tb(tb)[0]
    # Concatenate error information into message string
    pymsg = 'PYTHON ERRORS:\nTraceback info:\n{0}\nError Info:\n{1}'\
          .format(tbinfo, str(sys.exc_info()[1]))
    msgs = 'ArcPy ERRORS:\n {0}\n'.format(arcpy.GetMessages(2))
    # Return python error messages for script tool or Python Window
    arcpy.AddError(pymsg)
    arcpy.AddError(msgs)

Environments

Current Workspace, Output XY Domain, Output Z Domain, Output Coordinate System, Extent, Scratch Workspace, XY Resolution, XY Tolerance, Z Resolution, Z Tolerance, Qualified Field Names, Output CONFIG Keyword, Auto Commit, Output Spatial Grid 1, 2, 3

Licensing Information

ArcView: Requires 3D Analyst

ArcEditor: Requires 3D Analyst

ArcInfo: Requires 3D Analyst