Specify an elevation for 3D features

On the Edit tab, in the Elevation group, you can specify z-values when you create z-aware features. You can specify a constant z-value or set the elevation mode to get a z-value when you click an active surface. In a scene, you can set z-values by clicking the view.

Current elevation settings are saved with the active map or scene. Switching between a map and a scene restores the saved settings for the active view.

By default, z-values are applied to new features in the following ways:

• In the 2D map, the default z-value is set to zero (0).
• In the 3D map, z-values are derived from the active elevation surface when you click the scene.

Tip:

You can verify whether feature geometry stores coordinate z-values on the layer properties dialog box. In the Contents pane, right-click the feature layer, click Properties, and click the Source tab.

Turn on elevation mode

To turn on elevation mode, on the Edit tab, in the Elevation group, click the top half of the elevation Mode button . The elevation mode saved with the active map or scene is enabled.

Note:

When working with preprocessing features, it is recommended that you use the elevation mode as either Constant or Surface to obtain z-values corresponding to the height of the features you are trying to correct. If neither is used, the z value will default to zero and you may experience processing errors.

Specify a constant z-value

When you create a z-aware feature in a map or scene, you can specify a constant z-value by typing it in the elevation text box. In a scene, you can automatically fill the elevation text box by clicking the active view.

Note:

In Drone2Map, most project layers are z-aware by default, but not all are editable. Modifying z-values is best used with correction features.

1. In the Catalog pane, add the Correction Features layer to the map:
   • If the layer is already created, expand Databases , expand the project database, and drag the feature class onto the map.
   • If the layer is not already created, click the Home tab, click the Correction Features drop-down menu, and select Create Correction Feature.
2. On the Edit tab, in the Features group, enable the snapping preferences.

   Tip:

   Press the Spacebar to temporarily turn snapping off while you sketch a feature.

3. On the Edit tab, in the Features group, click Create Features .

   The Create Features pane appears.

4. Click the Correction Features template to create z-aware features.

   The construction toolbar appears at the bottom of the map.

5. On the Edit tab, in the Elevation group, click the Mode arrow and click Constant .

   The elevation text box is enabled.

6. Specify a constant elevation z-value using one of the following methods:
   • Click the elevation text box and type the z-value.
   • To automatically fill the text box when you are working in an active scene, click Get Z from View and click a surface.

     Note:

     Press and hold S to suspend the current sketch plane and click a z-value below the current sketch plane.

7. Create the new z-aware correction features using one or more of the following methods:
   • Click the map, drag the pointer, and click the map again. Repeat until you have a polygon.
   • Right-click and use the context menu to specify x,y,z coordinate locations, distance, and direction.
   • Use the tools on the construction toolbar.

     

   The z-value in the text box is applied to all new vertices and features.

8. To stop using the elevation tool and apply the default z-value, click the top half of the Mode button and turn the elevation tools off.

Specify z-values by clicking a surface

When you create a z-aware feature in a map or scene, you can also specify z-values by clicking an elevation surface that exists in the map. This mode is available only with maps that contain one or more elevation surfaces.

Note:

In Drone2Map, most project layers are z-aware by default, but not all are editable. Modifying z-values is best used with correction features.

1. In the Catalog pane, add the Correction Features layer to the map:
   • If the layer is already created, expand Databases , expand the project database, and drag the feature class onto the map.
   • If the layer is not already created, click the Home tab, click the Correction Features drop-down menu, and select Create Correction Feature.
2. On the Edit tab, in the Features group, enable the snapping preferences.

   Tip:

   Press the Spacebar to temporarily turn snapping off while you sketch a feature.

3. On the Edit tab, in the Features group, click Create Features .

   The Create Features pane appears.

4. In the pane, click the Correction Features template to create z-aware features.

   The construction toolbar appears at the bottom of the map.

5. On the Edit tab, in the Elevation group, click the Mode arrow and click Surface .
   1. If more than one surface is defined for the map, click the Surface drop-down arrow and choose a surface.
6. Create the new z-aware feature using one or more of the following methods:
   • Click the map, drag the pointer, and click the map again. Repeat until you have a polygon.
   • Right-click and use the context menu to specify x,y,z coordinate locations, distance, and direction.
   • Use the tools on the construction toolbar.

     

   The z-values are derived from the active elevation surface where you clicked the map, and they are applied to the geometry as you create the feature.

7. To stop using the elevation tool and apply the default z-value, click the top half of the Mode button and turn the elevation tools off.