3D layers are cached web layers that are optimized for visualizing and working with large amounts of 3D content. You can publish a hosted 3D layer from a scene layer package (SLPK) or a 3D tiles package (.3tz file).
You can view most 3D layers in Scene Viewer, ArcGIS Pro, or ArcGIS Earth.
3D layer types
To visualize and work with 3D data, you must define the layer type that best represents the data. ArcGIS provides multiple 3D layer types, allowing you to comprehensively capture different aspects of the natural and human-made environments.
The following table summarizes the types of 3D layers you can create and provides links to more information about, and examples of, each layer type:
| 3D layer type | Supports associated feature layer (editable) | Supports SLPK (read only) | Supports 3tz (read only) |
|---|---|---|---|
Yes | Yes | Yes | |
Yes | Yes | No | |
Yes | Yes | No | |
No | No | Yes | |
No | Yes | Yes | |
No | Yes | No | |
No | Yes | No |
3D object
You can use 3D object layers to represent and visualize 3D objects, such as textured or untextured buildings that are modeled in 3D. From ArcGIS Pro, you can create a 3D object layer from multipatch data published directly to ArcGIS Online either as a web scene layer with an associated feature layer or from an SLPK. In ArcGIS Online, you can publish a 3D object scene layer from either a hosted feature layer or from an SLPK. Alternatively, you can create an empty 3D object layer and edit the layer in Scene Viewer to add content.
In addition, ArcGIS CityEngine 2016.0 and later can export an SLPK from which you can publish a 3D object layer.
3D point
To ensure fast visualization in all clients, cached 3D point layers are used to display large amounts of point data not possible with a point feature layer. 3D point layers are automatically thinned to improve performance and visibility at smaller scales. Automatic thinning means that not all features are displayed at small scales; as you zoom in, additional features are displayed. For example, you can use a 3D point layer to display all the trees in a city. In ArcGIS Pro, you can create a 3D point layer from a feature layer shared directly to ArcGIS Online as a web scene layer. Also, in ArcGIS Online, you can publish a 3D point layer from a hosted feature layer.
Building
Building layers allow you to visualize complex digital models of buildings and interact with all the components of the building. With building layers, you can explore a building's composition, properties, and location of structures in a building digital model. Building layers allow you to query and isolate discipline layers—such as structural or architectural—or categories, such as walls or roofs. They are used for engineering, architecture, surveying, and construction purposes. See Maintain and work with a building layer in the ArcGIS Pro help for an explanation of the multiple ways you can implement, use, and manage building layers. You can publish a building layer from ArcGIS Pro 2.3 or later as an SLPK. Beginning with ArcGIS Pro 2.7, you can also publish a building layer with an associated hosted feature layer to ArcGIS Online.
Gaussian splat
The Gaussian splat layer provides a highly realistic visualization of complex geometry. For example, you can represent thin and complex structures as well as have organic shapes such as vegetation. Gaussian splat layers are best suited for inspection workflows, such as inspections of bridges, telecom towers, or other infrastructure.
Because the Gaussian splat layer type allows you to achieve the highest digital visual appearance, you can capture important structures as a Gaussian splat layer and combine it in a scene with additional data such as 3D basemaps or feature layers.
You can create a Gaussian splat layer using ArcGIS Reality Studio 2025.2, ArcGIS Pro 3.6 with Reality Extension, and ArcGIS Drone2Map 2025.2.
You can share the Gaussian splat layer from ArcGIS Pro. In addition, you can use the Package 3D Tiles tool to create a .3tz file and upload it to ArcGIS Online.
You can add a Gaussian splat layer to a local or global scene in Scene Viewer. For example, if you create a Gaussian splat layer with a local projected coordinate system, you can visualize this layer in a local scene with the same coordinate system. Because the Gaussian splat layer supports the ESRI_CRS extension, you can visualize the same Gaussian splat layer that has a projected coordinate system in a global scene with the WGS84 geodetic coordinate system. When you click Open in Scene Viewer on the item page details of a Gaussian splat layer, a global scene is opened. In web applications that do not support the ESRI_CRS extension, the Gaussian splat layer is represented in WGS84 by default.
Note:
- The line of sight layer and viewshed layer are not available with the Gaussian splat layer.
- The Slice tool is currently not available with the Gaussian splat layer.
- Shadows are currently not applied to Gaussian splat layers in a scene.
Mesh
Mesh data is typically captured by an automated process for constructing realistic objects from large sets of overlapping imagery. The result integrates the original input image information as a textured mesh using a triangular interlaced structure. A mesh includes elevation information and can represent built and natural 3D features, such as building walls, trees, valleys, and cliffs, with realistic textures. Mesh layers are generally created for citywide 3D mapping and can be created using ArcGIS Drone2Map and ArcGIS Pro 2.2 or later, which can then be shared to ArcGIS Online as an SLPK. See Mesh layer in the ArcGIS Pro help for more information about this type of layer.
Point cloud
Point cloud layers allow fast consumption and display of large volumes of point cloud data in Scene Viewer and ArcGIS Pro. You can configure these layers in ArcGIS Pro and create an SLPK to publish it in a portal.
Point cloud layers in Scene Viewer can appear differently based on the symbology renderer type configured from ArcGIS Pro. Scene Viewer supports the following renderer types in ArcGIS Pro:
- Stretch
- Classify
- Unique Values
- RGB
Voxel
A voxel layer represents multidimensional volumetric 3D or 4D data in Scene Viewer and ArcGIS Pro. In local scenes, you can visualize atmospheric or oceanic data, geological underground models, or space-time cubes as voxel layers. Use voxel layers to access and explore volumetric data about the world and better understand conditions that you can't physically experience. For example, an underground model visualized as a voxel layer can be viewed together with buildings or subterranean utilities to evaluate the underground for planned construction or maintenance.
You can create a voxel layer in ArcGIS Pro and share it as a web layer or within a local scene.
Note:
- For optimal performance of voxel layers, a high-performance graphic card is required. For more information, see Scene Viewer requirements.
- Mobile support differs across devices. Voxel layers may not display as expected.
- The Elevation Profile tool is not available with voxel layers.
- The measurement distance and area honor the vertical exaggeration applied. The results may vary depending on whether a vertical exaggeration is set.
Scene and 3D tiles services
In addition to the 3D layer types described above, you can also distinguish 3D layers by the service that populates the item.
Tip:
The source service type is listed on the Overview tab of the layer's item page.
Scene services use the Indexed 3D Scene Layer (I3S) format for efficient streaming. You can package the 3D data as an SLPK, or publish directly from a feature layer. You can represent 3D object, building, mesh, 3D point, point cloud, and voxel data using I3S.
Editing is supported for 3D object and 3D point layers that are powered by a source scene service and that have an associated a feature layer. These also allow for full or partial update of the cached 3D data.
3D tiles services use 3D tiles datasets or 3D tiles packages (.3tz file) to store cached 3D data. A tile set defines three-dimensional data that meets the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) 3D tiles specification. You can represent 3D object, mesh, or Gaussian splat layer types. 3D tiles services cannot not be edited or used for geoprocessing.
Because the source service differs, the privilege required to publish differs. To publish a 3D layer that is powered by a scene service, you must be a member of a role that has the privilege to publish hosted 3D layers in addition to the privilege to create, update, and delete content. To publish a 3D layer that is powered by a 3D tiles service, you must be a member of a role that has the privilege to publish hosted tile layers in addition to the privilege to create, update, and delete content.
Note:
At this release, the layer item names still include the words scene and 3D tiles. This is to help you move from the old item names to the new consolidated name.