FAQ: How Do I Share 3D Models within a GIS Framework?

Answer

3D Model exchange between CityEngine and ArcGIS Desktop can present difficulties as the Esri native 3D format is the multipatch data model. The ability to share 3D models across disparate modeling/GIS applications is likely to grow and is particularly prevalent with the sheer number of 3D modeling formats and applications that write these models. One of the major drawbacks of the multipatch data model is that it does not support vertex-level editing and therefore when importing/exporting models directly into ArcGIS Desktop there are limited capabilities within the revision framework.

The following provides some suggested workflows and best practices for the interchange of 3D models between ArcGIS Desktop, ArcGIS Pro and CityEngine.

• KB45740: How do I Import existing 3D modeling data?

• KB45741: I have 3D models I imported into CityEngine and have applied custom textures and geometries. How do I share them to users without CityEngine?

• KB45742: If I have multipatches created within Desktop or ArcGIS Pro are there any other formats these can be exported to?

Article ID: 000013229

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