Going from 2D Pipeline to 3D Model with ArcGIS Pro

May 9, 2023

Sepideh Sepehr

Learn the best practices for converting a 2D pipeline to a 3D model with ArcGIS Pro. By sharing the 3D pipeline to a portal, you can visualize your pipeline in 3D and collaborate with team members in 360 Virtual Reality on your digital twin project.

In this blog and video tutorial, you will learn the best practices for converting a 2D polyline to a 3D model using ArcGIS Pro. By implementing these best practices, you can enhance your digital twin projects.

Diagram of workflow to convert 2D polylines to 3D models

This workflow is for converting a 2D pipeline to a 3D model and sharing the 3D pipeline to a portal. Also, it highlights the steps for embedding the 3D scene into a 360 Virtual Reality so you can leverage collaboration with other stakeholders and team members.

The workflow for 3D pipeline visualization within its trench comes from an actual use case for cities' water utility departments. They have a need to maintain information about the recently installed or replaced pipeline and the associated trench. ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Web Scene and 360 Virtual Reality applications all support the 3D visualization of your pipeline within its trench.

How can I convert a 2D pipeline to a 3D feature class?

You can produce a cylindrical pipeline feature by creating a 3D buffer around your linear pipeline using Buffer 3D tool. This tool requires a 3D Analyst extension. The output of this tool is a multipatch feature which can be used in other 3D set operator tools.

You can find the related help document here

Buffer 3D tool to create a buffer around your linear pipeline

You may need to adjust the elevations of your 3D pipeline in a Local Scene. To set the elevation properties of your 3D layer, right-click the layer in the Contents pane and click Properties. Then, click the Elevation tab on the Layer Properties dialogue box to drape your pipeline on the proper elevation surface.

You can find the related help document here

Layer properties to set your elevation

How can I navigate my pipeline below ground?

To enable navigation below ground, in the Contents pane, choose the Ground Elevation Surface Layer and check the Navigate Underground check box on the Elevation Surface Layer tab.

You can find the related help document here

Navigate underground in the elevation surface tab

You can also use interactive slice to temporarily suppress ground and reveal a 3D pipeline underground. The interactive slice is found in the Exploratory 3D Analysis gallery on the Analysis tab. Use the Properties tab in the Exploratory Analysis pane to exclude the 3D pipeline layer from the list of affected layers, so this layer remains visible in your map display.

You can find the related help document here

Exploratory analysis pane to exclude pipeline from list of affected layers

How can I publish 3D layer to a portal?

If you set the elevation of the 3D pipeline to Relative to the Ground, you need to use the Layer 3D to Feature Class tool to convert this layer to a 3D multipatch feature class that stores the adjusted geometry z values while changing its elevation setting to At an Absolute Height. This way, you can publish your 3D pipeline into ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Enterprise. This tool needs a 3D Analyst extension. The only tip you need to know when working with this tool is to select an object ID field for the grouping field parameter; this way, each feature has its ID.

You can find the help document related to unsupported elevation setting here

You can find the help document related to the layer 3D to feature class tool here

Layer 3D to Feature Class tool to convert this layer to a 3D multipatch

If the elevation of your 3D pipeline has been set At an Absolute Height, you don’t need to use the Layer 3D to Feature Class tool. You can only right-click on your 3D layer and click Share as Web Layer to publish it into ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Enterprise as a hosted feature layer.

Before initiating publishing steps, ensure that your local scene has been set on WGS 1984 Web Mercator (Auxiliary Sphere) coordinate system. You can track the progress of the scene layer generation under the Jobs pane in ArcGIS Pro. Once completed you can then add your scene layer to the scene viewer through the item details or in the scene viewer itself by searching for it under my content.

You can find the help document related to share a web scene layer here

You can find the help document related to set the coordinate system here

How to share as web layer

How can I create applications such as 360 Application?

You can create a 360 virtual reality experience from Scene Viewer or the 360 VR web app. To create a 360 VR Experience from Scene Viewer, you first need to make a few viewer slides in your web scene. These slides will be converted to viewpoints in the 360 VR app. Next, click Create App and select 360 VR Experience to publish this into a portal.

You can find the help document related to create apps from scenes here

You can find the help document related to create 360 VR Experiences from web scenes here

Create 360 VR Experience

Additional Resources

Check out this recorded webinar to discover how other users use ArcGIS Pro to transform their 2D spatial data into 3D GIS models to leverage efficiencies on their projects.