Generate cylindrical tree multipatches from a lidar dataset in ArcGIS Pro

Summary

Three-dimensional (3D) representation of vegetation is an important component of environmental and urban spatial analysis. In ArcGIS Pro, cylindrical multipatches can be generated from classified lidar data to convert vegetation point clouds into simplified 3D tree features. These multipatches approximate tree trunks or canopies and support efficient visualization, spatial analysis, and optimized rendering in 3D scenes. The workflow is suitable for large datasets and city-scale 3D modeling projects.

This article provides the workflow to generate cylindrical tree multipatches from a lidar dataset in ArcGIS Pro.

Procedure

1. Open the ArcGIS Pro project containing the lidar dataset and the raster layer.
2. On the View tab, in the View group, click Convert > To Local Scene to change the map view to the local scene view.

Note:
For instructions to find and use the geoprocessing tool, refer to ArcGIS Pro: Find a geoprocessing tool.

3. Convert the lidar dataset to a digital elevation model (DEM) using the LAS Dataset To Raster tool.
1. In the LAS Dataset To Raster pane, for Input LAS Dataset, select the LAS dataset from the drop-down list.
2. For Output Raster, specify a name and location for the output raster layer.
3. For Interpolation Type, select Triangulation from the drop-down list.
4. For Interpolation Method, select Natural Neighbor from the drop-down list.
5. For Sampling Value, set the output raster cell size value to 1.
6. Click Run.

Note:
If the LAS point clouds have an irregular or non-rectangular coverage, create a polygon feature representing the area of coverage and add it to the LAS dataset as a clip polygon using the Add Files To LAS Dataset tool.

4. Zoom to the trees in the map and convert the raster dataset to point features using the Raster to Point tool.
1. In the Raster to Point pane, for Input raster, select the DEM raster layer created in Step 3 from the drop-down list.
2. For Output point features, specify a name and location for the output feature layer.
3. On the Environments tab, under Processing Extent, for Extent, click Current Display Extent .
4. Click Run.
5. Select the output point features from Step 4 that represent the center of each tree, and export them to a new feature class using the Export Features tool.

6. In the Contents pane, right-click the newly created point feature layer in Step 5 and click Attribute Table.
7. In the attribute table, add canopy width and height fields with the Double data type. Refer to ArcGIS Pro: Create a field and apply a domain and default value for instructions. On the Fields tab, in the Manage Edits group, click Save.
8. Specify the canopy width and height values for each tree and populate the corresponding fields in the attribute table.

Note:
The width of the canopy can be measured on the raster layer in the map using the measure tools. Refer to ArcGIS Pro: Measure for more information. Tree canopy height can be extracted from a lidar dataset if actual height measurements are not available. Refer to How To: Extract the tree canopy height from a lidar dataset in ArcGIS Pro for more instructions.

9. Create buffer polygons from the point features using the Buffer tool.
1. In the Buffer pane, for Input Features, select the output feature layer in Step 5 from the drop-down list.
2. For Distance [value or field], select Field and select the width field from the drop-down list.
3. Click Run.
10. Extrude the buffer polygons to a specified canopy height using the Max Height extrusion type. Refer to ArcGIS Pro: Extrude features for instructions. Select the canopy height field for Field, and select Meters for Unit.
11. Export the extruded buffer polygons to multipatch features using the Layer 3D To Feature Class tool.

The generated cylindrical tree multipatches derived from a LiDAR dataset in ArcGIS Pro are displayed in a 3D scene.