Using face culling to control the way layers are drawn

Layer face culling allows you to see through either the front, back, or both faces of 3D objects. This means the command is only enabled for layers containing area-based data. Area-based data includes extruded polygons, multipatches, TIN triangles, and rasters.

The culling property prevents features from being drawn based on the direction they face relative to your current view position. It has the effect of letting you see through something depending on which side you are viewing it from.

You can quickly change face culling for a layer listed in the 3D Effects toolbar following the steps below.

Steps:

1. Click the Layer drop-down arrow and choose the layer you want to change.
2. Click the Layer Face Culling button and click the option you want to use. Culling provides three options:
   • View both sides of areal features—This turns off culling so you view both sides and is the default.
   • Hide back side of areal features—This turns on back face culling, eliminating those objects from view that face away from you. Use this to see through the back of objects.
   • Hide front side of areal features—This turns on front face culling, eliminating those objects from view that face toward you. Use this to see through the front of an object.

   Viewing only one side of a layer makes the data inside it visible.

   The effect is automatically updated.