About changing the background display options

The background display options in ArcGlobe and ArcScene can be configured to suit your visualization needs. However, the options differ slightly between the two applications.

In ArcGlobe, you can change the default background color and modify environment settings to include options such as stars, atmospheric halo, and fog. The default background color in ArcGlobe is defined as a transition between two colors: the space color and the sky color. As you navigate around your 3D view, the background color is blended dynamically from these two colors based on the camera's distance from the surface of the globe. Space color represents greater distances from the surface, and sky color represents small distances. By default, the ArcGlobe space color is set to black, and the sky color is set to blue. You can also configure ArcGlobe to use a single background color.

In ArcScene, you can change the default background color, but the only option is a single-color mode. The default background for each document is white. Additional environment settings for stars, halo, and fog are not available in ArcScene.

You can optionally turn on reference grid and graticule lines in ArcGlobe to provide better feedback about your location on the planet. Graticules will display lines of latitude and longitude (geographic coordinates), whereas reference grids are more commonly used by region or organization, for example, MGRS (a military point referencing system) and US National Grid. The lines are labeled with the applicable coordinate system, and as you zoom in, you will see greater detail and a finer grid.

Changing the background display options for a 3D view can be an effective way to enhance the visualization experience. For example, changing the background color to black can simulate nighttime. Adding fog provides a haze at certain angles to mask distant objects. All these options can help provide a more realistic display. You can quickly set the background to one of the preset colors or create your own. You can also make the current background color the default for all new 3D documents.