You can create and view scene layers in ArcGIS AllSource directly or upload them to ArcGIS Enterprise or ArcGIS Online to publish them as web scene layers. You can also share point, building, multipatch, 3D object, and LAS dataset layers within a web scene.
There are a number of tools that create scene layer content. The table below lists the corresponding geoprocessing tools with supported input datasets.
| Input dataset | Corresponding geoprocessing tool |
|---|---|
Multipatch feature layer, 3D object feature layer, layer file | |
Building layer, layer file | |
Open scene graph binary (OSGB) file, a folder containing OSGB files | |
LAS, zLAS, LAZ files, LAS dataset, layer file, a folder of lidar data | |
Point feature layer, layer file | |
Voxel layer, layer file | |
Scene layer, scene layer package | Clip |
Note:
Tool labels have been updated to use content instead of package to reflect the option of writing out .i3srest in addition to .slpk.
Feature based scene layers like 3D object, building, or point scene layers contain attribute. The ArcGIS field data types supported by scene layers are:
- Numbers
- Text
- Date
- Object identifiers
- Global identifiers
In case your data includes fields of type Date only, Time only, Timestamp offset, or fields of type raster you will have to remove the fields before creating a scene layer.
Scene layer I3S version
Esri continues to improve the usability of scene layers. I3S version 1.7 provides better performance and scalability across the ArcGIS platform than previous versions. ArcGIS AllSource, Scene Viewer, and apps built off ArcGIS API for JavaScript can consume integrated mesh, building, point, and 3D object scene layers that are version 1.7 and earlier. You can view the I3S version of a scene layer on the Source tab of the layer properties. To ensure that you can take advantage of the latest improvements, use the Upgrade Scene Layer tool to update the version of an integrated mesh, building, point, or 3D object scene layer (.slpk) to the latest version. Additionally, all the scene layer tools create scene layers with the latest I3S version. This includes data management tools such as the Project and Clip tools.
3D object scene layer
You can create a 3D object scene layer using the Create 3D Object Scene Layer Content geoprocessing tool, which generates a scene layer package (.slpk) file or (.i3srest). Alternatively, you can create a 3D object scene layer by sharing a web scene layer. This creates a scene layer with an associated feature layer, which provides richer statistical information to be used in symbology and definition queries. The input data type for a 3D object scene layer in ArcGIS AllSource is a multipatch or 3D object feature layer.
Building scene layer
Building scene layers allow you to share 3D building content sourced from specific data types across the ArcGIS platform. 3D building information is derived from building information modeling (BIM) representing buildings.
A building scene layer is created using the Create Building Scene Layer Content geoprocessing tool, which generates a scene layer package (.slpk) or (.i3srest). Alternatively, you can create a 3D object scene layer by sharing a web scene layer. This creates a scene layer with an associated feature layer, which provides additional capabilities such as attribute table access, editing, advanced symbology, and definition queries.
Only category layers with content are added to the building scene layer; all others are removed. In case a discipline layer does not include category layers, the discipline layer is not added to the building scene layer. An overview layer is a layer that shows a representation of the building from the outside and is optional. Building layers contain an exterior shell layer that you can use as an overview layer. You must have elements of the building defined as exterior in Revit. This overview is the default layer you see when adding a building scene layer to ArcGIS AllSource. Any filters that are defined for the building layer are included when you create the building scene layer.
Integrated mesh scene layer
Typically, 3D mesh data is captured by an automated process for constructing 3D objects out of large sets of overlapping imagery. The result integrates the original input image information as a textured mesh including 3D objects, such as buildings and trees, and elevation information. You can create an integrated mesh scene layer from OpenSceneGraph Binary (OSGB) files using the Create Integrated Mesh Scene Layer Content tool. You can also create it using Drone2Map. For more information on Drone2Map, see Drone2Map.
Other vendors who create OpenSceneGraph Binary (OSGB) and scene layer package files include the following:
- Bentley Context Capture
- SuperMap
- Pix4D
- SafeSoftware FME
- Skyline TerraBuilder
Point cloud scene layer
You can create a point cloud scene layer using the Create Point Cloud Scene Layer Content geoprocessing tool, which generates a scene layer package file (.slpk) or (.i3srest).
The input data type for a point cloud scene layer package in ArcGIS AllSource is a LAS dataset layer or an individual or folder of LAS, ZLAS, or LAZ files.
Note:
You can also use a LAS dataset that references LAS and ZLAS files to create a point cloud scene layer. Any symbology and point filtering that you have applied to the points of a LAS dataset layer will be used to create the point cloud scene layer. A default elevation symbology and no point filtering will be used to create a point cloud scene layer when individual files or a folder of files (LAS, ZLAS, or LAZ) is used as input. To optimize the point cloud data and define properties such as symbology and filtering, use the LAS dataset as input. For more information on point filtering, see Change filter options for a point cloud scene layer.
Surface constraints are ignored if they are referenced by an input LAS dataset layer. The input LAS dataset layer must be a layer in the scene or an .lyrx file. TIN-based rendering symbology of the input LAS dataset is not supported by a point cloud scene layer. A stretch renderer with elevation will be used for the output scene layer package in this case.
To reduce storage, do not include unused attributes. Select all attributes that are required for the desired rendering and filtering option. For additional information on these attributes, see What is lidar data?. For airborne lidar data, accepting the default of 0 for the Point Size property or a value close to the average point spacing is usually best. For terrestrial lidar data, the Point Size value must match the point spacing you want for the areas of interest. The XY Max Error and Z Max Error options are the maximum error tolerated. A higher tolerance results in better data compression and more efficient data transfer.
Point scene layer
You can create a point scene layer using the Create Point Scene Layer Content geoprocessing tool, which generates a scene layer package (.slpk) file or (.i3srest). Alternatively, you can create a point scene layer by sharing a web scene layer. The input data type for point scene layer content in ArcGIS AllSource is any symbolized point layer in the 3D layers category.
Voxel scene layer
You can create a voxel scene layer using the Create Voxel Scene Layer Content geoprocessing tool, which generates a scene layer package (.slpk) file. The input data type for a voxel scene layer is any voxel layer.