Work with viewshed analysis

With the viewshed analysis, you can determine visible areas from a specified observer location. This analysis considers factors such as terrain and objects obstructing the scene to calculate the visible extent from the observer point. The result of the analysis is visualized with a colored viewshed where red indicates areas that are not visible to the observer and green indicates areas that are visible to the observer.

Work with viewshed analysis in the overview

The viewshed analysis in the overview is an interactive analysis. The results are not persisted. To activate the viewshed analysis in the overview, complete the following steps:

1. Expand the Analysis button toolbar in the lower right corner of the view.
2. Select the Viewshed tool .

   The viewshed analysis tool opens with a toolbar at the top of the map.

3. Start the analysis by clicking in the scene to place the observer point.
4. Click Done to close the viewshed analysis tool.
The analysis in the overview is not persisted.

Work with viewshed analysis in plans and projects

In plans and projects, the viewshed analysis is available in the analysis mode where the results are persisted. See Analyze a plan or Analyze a project to learn how to access the analysis mode.

To configure a viewshed analysis in a plan or project, complete the following steps:

1. Open the analysis mode.
2. Select the viewshed analysis you want to configure from the analysis list or create a new viewshed analysis.

   The analysis configuration panel opens.

3. Configure name and description for the analysis.
4. Select a viewshed or click the Add button in the Viewshed section to add a new viewshed.

   The single viewshed configuration panel opens.

   Note:

   You can add multiple viewsheds in the viewshed analysis.

5. Optionally, configure the name of the viewshed.
6. Click the map to place an observer.

   An observer is placed in the clicked location.

7. Click the map to define the distance for the extent of the viewshed.

   A viewshed appears on the map. The viewshed has orange handles attached. Detailed configuration options appear in the side panel.

8. Do the following to edit the observer position in the configuration panel:
   1. Click the Edit button next to the coordinate values in the Observer table to edit the coordinates of the observer.

      The selected value field switches to editing mode.

      Note:

      The coordinates of the observer are displayed in the coordinate system of the urban model. For Web Mercator, you can use WGS84 coordinates.

   2. Edit the coordinate value.
   3. Click anywhere outside of the value input field or press the Enter key to finish the editing.

      The table switches back to viewing mode and the viewshed is updated on the map.

   4. Select Absolute height when placing an observer point at an absolute elevation value above sea level or Relative to the ground to choose the height of the observer point above ground at the specific location.

      The elevation value in the Observer table changes.

9. Do the following to edit the viewshed extent in the configuration panel:
   1. Click the Edit button next to the extent parameter in the Extent table to edit the heading, tilt, distance, horizontal or vertical field of view.

      The selected value field switches to editing mode.

   2. Edit the parameter value.
   3. Click anywhere outside of the value input field or press the Enter key to finish the editing.

      The table switches back to viewing mode, and the extent of the viewshed is updated on the map.

10. Do the following to edit the viewshed on the map:
    • Click the observer and use the handles to change its position.
    • Use the arrows to change the heading, tilt, or distance of the viewshed.
    • Use the line handles at the edges of the viewshed to change the horizontal and vertical field of view of the viewshed.

    The position of the observer or viewshed is adjusted. The coordinate values in the Observer and Extent tables are updated accordingly.