You can analyze GIS data in three dimensions using geoprocessing tools, and use interactive tools (such as the 3D Measure tool) in a 3D view to solve problems that can’t be solved in 2D.
Surface
You can create and modify functional surfaces with 3D Analyst. 3D surface tools allow you to create surfaces, convert surfaces to 3D features or other surface types, extract surface information, and conduct advanced surface analysis such as slope, aspect, and contouring. Examples of 3D surface analysis are elevation analysis for residential development, groundwater modeling, disaster management, or floodplain mapping.
Volumetric
A suite of 3D volumetric tools can be used to investigate and determine the relationship between 3D features, such as checking if one feature is located inside another or combining two 3D features into one complex shape. For example, you can calculate maximum building heights based on visibility restrictions.
Visibility
You can conduct visibility analysis in your 3D GIS environment. A suite of visibility tools exist to conduct visibility analysis. For example, you can use the line-of-sight analysis on a landscape to optimize the location of telecommunication towers, or analyze the effects of a new proposed building on the city skyline.