Add context layers

Adding context layers to a design project allows you to import specific layers that provide detail and understanding to the project or scenario you are editing. You can configure context layers per project or per scenario. Context layers display when you open a project. They are not displayed in the overview.

Note:

To add an external 3D visualization to a project—for example, a building scene layer—use a scenario visualization instead. See Add external 3D content for more information.

Configure a project context layer

To configure a project context layer, complete the following steps:

  1. Click a project in the view or find it in the search panel.

    The project editor opens.

  2. Expand the drop-down menu named after the project in the header and choose Configure project.
  3. Browse to the Project context section and click Select item Edit button.

    The Select project context dialog box appears.

  4. Click the layer to add to the project to select it, and click Select.

    The layer is added to the project.

  5. Click the Return to project button Return to project in the header.

    The context layer is added to the project.

Configure a scenario context layer

To configure a scenario context layer, complete the following steps:

  1. Click a project in the view or find it in the search panel.

    The project editor opens.

  2. Click the Configure scenarios button More in the center of the header bar.

    The Scenarios dialog box appears.

  3. Click a scenario to select it, scroll down to the Scenario context section, and click Select item Edit button.

    The Select scenario context dialog box appears.

  4. Click the layer to add to the project to select it, and click Select.

    The layer is added to the scenario.

Note:
  • You can only configure web scenes as context layers.
  • The supported coordinate systems of context layers depend on the coordinate system of the urban model. See Understanding local and global urban models to learn more.
  • To switch context layers on or off when you're editing or viewing a project, click the layer name on the Options menu Menu.
  • Pop-ups that you configured in a web scene are shown together with the context layer when the Details side panel is open. To open it, click the Details button Details at the upper right of the header.
  • If the scenario context includes an elevation layer, this terrain is used when viewing the scenario instead of the elevation layer defined in the urban model. See Custom elevation layer to learn more.