Setting a feature layer's base height from a surface

When displaying 2D and 3D features inside ArcScene, you can define their base heights using a surface. To do so, you will use the Layer Properties dialog box which you can open by double-clicking the layer in the table of contents as a shortcut.

Steps:

1. Right-click the layer in the table of contents and click Properties.
This is the traditional way of opening the Layer Properties dialog box.
2. Click the Base Heights tab.
3. Click the Floating on a custom surface option.
4. Click the drop-down arrow to choose the surface that you want to use for the base heights.

   Optionally, click the browse button to search for a specific surface to use that is not already in the scene.

5. Click OK.

   The layer is drawn in 3D using the surface that you chose to provide the z-values.

Tip:

• The surface used for the base heights does not have to be in the ArcScene document.
• If the base surface is a raster, you can use the Raster Resolution button to obtain a more detailed 3D view by increasing the resolution or to increase performance by decreasing the surface's resolution.