Calculate and export the volume of open multipatch features to a new multipatch feature layer in ArcGIS Pro

Summary

Multipatch features are a set of patches in a file geodatabase that represent the boundaries of 3D objects, such as buildings, bridges, and terrain. In ArcGIS Pro, the Add Z Information tool is used to calculate the volume of multipatch features. However, this tool only calculates the volume of closed multipatch features, while open multipatch features return a zero value. In some instances, when a 3D model is created or imported, it creates openings in the geometry, particularly in the lower portion. In this case, the volume can be calculated by creating closed multipatch features from open multipatch features using the Enclose Multipatch tool. This method ensures accurate volume calculation and improves the geometric integrity of 3D modeling by representing a proper volume for further analysis.

This article provides the workflow to calculate and export the volume of open multipatch features to a new multipatch feature layer in ArcGIS Pro.

Procedure

Note:
The Is Closed 3D and Enclose Multipatch tools require a 3D Analyst license.

1. Open the project in ArcGIS Pro.
2. Evaluate the multipatch features to determine whether each feature completely encloses a volume of space using the Is Closed 3D tool.
1. On the Analysis tab, in the Geoprocessing group, click Tools.
2. In the Geoprocessing pane, search for and click Is Closed 3D (3D Analyst Tools).
3. In the Is Closed 3D pane, for Input Multipatch Features, select the multipatch feature layer from the drop-down list.
4. Click Run.
3. Select the open multipatch features using Select By Attributes.
1. On the Map tab, in the Selection group, click Select By Attributes.
2. In the Select By Attributes dialog box, for Input Rows, select the multipatch feature layer from the drop-down list.
3. For Expression, enter the query expression in Clause mode. Select IsClosed for <field name> and No for <field value> from the drop-down list.

Where <field name> is equal to <field value>

4. Click the Verify button to validate the expression.
5. Click OK.

4. Create closed multipatch features from the open multipatch features using the Enclose Multipatch tool.
1. On the Analysis tab, in the Geoprocessing group, click Tools.
2. In the Geoprocessing pane, search for and click Enclose Multipatch (3D Analyst Tools).
3. In the Enclose Multipatch pane, for Input Multipatch Features, select the multipatch feature layer from the drop-down list.
4. For Output Multipatch Feature Class, specify a name and location for the output closed multipatch features.
5. Click Run.

Note:
The textures and colors are not preserved when closed multipatch features are created from open multipatch features.

5. Calculate the volume of the closed multipatch features using the Add Z Information tool. Refer to How To: Calculate the volume of multipatch features in ArcGIS Pro for instructions.

The image below shows the calculated volume of the open multipatch features in the new multipatch feature layer's attribute table.