3.2. 3D tools
The ArcGlobe environment allows you to visualize, analyze and animate 3D or 2D data in three dimensional
spaces. This module is designed for use with very large datasets, i.e., large amounts of GIS data on a globe surface.
This application is based on a global view of all the data projected on a projection of the global cube and visualized
at various levels of detail, in real geodetic location (ESRI, 2004).
The 3D data visualization enables the deployment of images or vector data on surfaces and vector features
extrusion of a surface to create lines, walls and solid elements. You can also use 3D symbols to add realism to the
display of GIS data and create animations, as presented here.
Scenes can be seen from different viewpoints by using different viewers or changing the properties of 3D layers
to use shading or transparency. The 3D globe properties can also be modified to set vertical exaggeration of the
terrain, the sky background color, the sun's position on the globe, etc. (ESRI, 2004).