- This method uses ArcMap's linear referencing tools available with a basic license. The following steps describe how to create equally spaced transects perpendicular to a line feature in ArcMap: In ArcMap, create a route feature class. This is the main line feature. Equally spaced perpendicular transects are created along this line feature.
- For the reason that the development of the cross section tools were moved into this extension, the Orientation Analysis Tools for ArcGIS 10.3 got back its name OATools103 (instead of CSTools103). NEW 12/2016 Tools were upgraded for ArcGIS 10.3. Now they are named CSTools103 (CS = Cross Section, 10.3 is the target version of ArcGIS).
Using Hec-GeoRas to Extract Cross Sections from a DTM for HEC/RAS Input Open Arcmap and create a new mxd file (File/New or File/Save As); must have Editor, Georas, and 3D Analyst tool bars loaded. Add a DTM in tin or grid format (using existing DEM grid or previously created TIN.
ESRI's ArcGIS Explorer (AGX) is a free downloadable GIS viewer which allows viewing of a wide variety of spatial data in either 2D or 3D (Globe) display modes. In Exprodat's R&D team we've been working with the AGX Software Development Kit (SDK) for a few months and have been impressed with what you can do, out-of-the-box. Naturally some tasks require you to do a little more work, and the one we'll describe here is one of those.
A colleague needed to place a geological section in an AGX presentation, in its correct orientation, and asked for our assistance. He could have done it in Google Sketch-up, but we thought that we could probably create a tool in AGX that would allow us to do it more easily, and repeat the operation whenever we wanted. He supplied us with an example section, as a KML file, that referenced a COLLADA model. We'd vaguely heard of COLLADA (it's basically an XML schema that enables the definition of 3D models) and took a quick look at the reference manual, and the example section.
One of the many things that COLLADA allows you to do is to define a mesh onto which an image is applied. The simplest mesh onto which a rectangular planar image can be projected is rectangular – i.e. defined by 4 corner points. These corner points are defined by X,Y,Z coordinates, meaning that the mesh can be oriented as required. Looking at the example file, we found that the KML file that referenced the COLLADA .dae file contained a Lat-Long insertion point, some orientation information and some scaling information. This allows the COLLADA model to be inserted, rotated and scaled to meet requirements.
Having worked out how the example file worked, we designed a tool, based on an AGX dockable window, to allow the user to drag out a line representing the section. Free taylor swift music download. We added editable text boxes to the window, which we populated with the start/end XYZ values for the section, allowing the user to fine-tune the section placement. We wrote, with help from the internet, some code to calculate the bearing of the line. We then added file selection controls to allow the user to pick an input image and an output KML file (which needs to be placed in a subfolder, as the KML file references files placed in subfolders).
Having created the basic user interface and some of the more generic code, we then worked on the code to actually do the work. It occurred to us that it might be easier to scale the model directly in the COLLADA file, by scaling the mesh, and then handle the rest of the work in the KML (the insertion point and orientation). To do this, we extracted the input image width (by loading it as a System.Drawing.Image and then looking at the width property), then used the length of the line the user had defined to calculate the scaling. We then wrote a COLLADA writer class to generate the .dae file, which we stored in a subfolder called models, mimicking the structure of the models exported from Google Sketchup. The image was copied across to a subfolder called images and then the KML file was created in the main target folder.
We gave the tool a spin and noted that the far end of the section (away from the insertion point) ‘stuck up' in the air. A quick think made us realise that this was due to the earth's curvature – the earth's surface drops away from the base of the section. In order to correct this in a ‘quick and dirty' fashion, we worked out a routine to drop the far end of the section by the height that it was initially above the surface. Doubtless COLLADA would allow us to do this more elegantly, fitting the base of the mesh to the surface as we went, but that's something for another day.
So, there you have it, a tool that allows you to place sections on AGX in their correct orientation. Note that you can amend the Z-value of the insertion point to drop the section below the surface, although this then leaves you with the problem of how to actually see it (see the attached documentation for some tips about how to do this).
We've made the tool available fo download here (1.2Mb zip file) so please feel free to give it a spin – the download includes the AGX 900 Add-In (.EAZ file) and a PDF containing instructions on how to install and use the Add-In.
COLLADA looks like it has some legs for GIS, allowing you to create a single complex model which you can then position and orientate to meet your requirements, allowing the construction of animations and the like (or a simpler version of the Enormous Arrows tool that we've previously blogged). We'll be investigating these possibilities over the coming months and will be posting examples and samples as we create them.
Posted by Ross Smail, Head of R&D, Exprodat.
Available with 3D Analyst license.
A common way to visualize, analyze, and edit lidar data is to use a 2D cross-sectional view. A selected set of lidar points from a LAS dataset can be displayed and edited using the LAS dataset Profile Viewwindow accessed from the LAS Dataset toolbar in ArcMap. Visualizing cross sections of lidar data allows you to analyze collections of points from a unique perspective. 2D profile perspectives may make it easier to recognize particular features captured from lidar data, such as surface valleys, mountain peaks, buildings, vegetation types, forest canopy, road corridors, river/stream corridors, mines, construction sites, towers, and even power lines. Drawing cross sections of these features allows you to validate your lidar data in GIS and enables you to make informed analytic decisions.
Using the Profile View window, you can do the following:
- Measure distances and heights between points.
- Manually edit and update LAS classification codes.
- Manually edit LAS point-bit field flags.
- Display full-resolution lidar point sets.
- Select the LAS dataset 3D View window to visualize the selected LAS dataset point set in 3D.
A full-resolution point set is displayed in the Profile View window. If a thinned set of points is shown in the ArcMap display window, the selection box used to create the 2D profile will only select a full-resolution point set to be displayed in the profile. The maximum number of points that the selection window will allow is based on the Point budget set. The point budget can be found on the Point Tool Options window, located on the LAS Dataset toolbar in ArcMap.
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When lidar data is stored in LAS files, each point is often classified with a specific classification code that defines the type of feature that reflected the laser pulse. By using the Profile View tools, you can manually edit and update the classification codes for a single point or groups of points. Having the correct classification code assigned to each point will provide you with more accurate ways of filtering the points in your display. For more information on lidar classification, see Lidar point classification.
How to launch the LAS dataset Profile View
To open the Profile View window, follow the steps outlined below:
- Click the LAS Dataset Profile View button from the LAS Dataset toolbar.
- With the crosshairs active, click a location on the point set that represents the starting point of the LAS dataset profile graph.
A small dialog box appears, interactively showing the current length of the line. Use the SHIFT key to set straight vertical or horizontal lines. Press the ESC key to cancel.
- Click a location on the point set that represents the ending point of the LAS dataset profile graph.
- Click a third location to represent the width of the profile graph.
Once an ending point has been selected, a selection box appears allowing you to move the pointer until the box is at a desired profile width. The actual dimensions and point count for the selection box are displayed in a small dialog box in the ArcMap display window. These values change interactively as you move the pointer over the point set. The units of the displayed width correspond to the coordinates of the data being used for the analysis. When a maximum point count is reached, you cannot make the selection box any larger.
Points will be displayed even if the selection window is drawn on a surface. The surface view of a LAS dataset is not supported in the Profile View window.
- The Profile Graph tool on the 3D Analyst interactive toolbar is also available to generate profiles. This tool will only be available when the LAS dataset is displayed as a triangulated irregular network (TIN) surface. To learn more about the 3D Analyst profile tools, see Fundamentals of creating profile graphs.
- Launch the LAS dataset 3D View window to visualize the LAS dataset points that are currently shown in the 2D profile view in 3D full resolution.
- Use the +/- keys on the keyboard to increase or decrease the size of the points that are displayed in the Profile View window.
Profile View tools
There are several tools available for the LAS dataset points on the Profile View toolbar:
Navigate tool
The wide variety of functions built into the Navigate tool means it will most likely be the main navigation tool you use in Profile View. Clicking the left and right mouse buttons and dragging up, down, left, or right allows you to rotate the view, zoom in, and zoom out. Other navigation functions, such as setting the target location, are exposed through the use of keyboard shortcuts.
Zoom In tool
Use the Zoom In tool to zoom in to a target by clicking once and dragging a box in the Profile View window.
Zoom Out tool
Use the Zoom Out tool to zoom out from a target by clicking once and dragging a box in the Profile View window.
Pan tool
Use the Pan tool to move throughout the LAS dataset points in the 2D LAS dataset profile view.
Full Extent tool
Click the Full Extent button to zoom to the full extent of Profile View.
Refresh tool
Use the Refresh tool to refresh the data view to match the extent and symbology of the LAS dataset layer in the ArcMap window.
Point Information tool
Select the Point Information tool to display additional information corresponding to a selected lidar point. Once a point has been selected, by default, basic location and attribute information is displayed. Select the Show more LAS attributes check box to display additional LAS attribute information for the selected point. The graphic below depicts the Profile Information window that will be displayed.
Measure
Measure elevation and elevation difference between LAS points using the Measure tool .
- Click the Measure tool from the Profile View toolbar to measure elevation and elevation difference between two selected points.
- Click a starting point to begin the measurement in the Profile View (Start).
- Click an ending point in the Profile View to finish the measurement (End).
Cross Section Geology
Select points
Use the Select Points tool to select LAS dataset points from Profile View. Once the tool is selected, either click on a point to select point by point or drag a selection box in Profile View to select several points. Hold down the SHIFT or CTRL key to add to an existing selection.
Clear selected points
How to launch the LAS dataset Profile View
To open the Profile View window, follow the steps outlined below:
- Click the LAS Dataset Profile View button from the LAS Dataset toolbar.
- With the crosshairs active, click a location on the point set that represents the starting point of the LAS dataset profile graph.
A small dialog box appears, interactively showing the current length of the line. Use the SHIFT key to set straight vertical or horizontal lines. Press the ESC key to cancel.
- Click a location on the point set that represents the ending point of the LAS dataset profile graph.
- Click a third location to represent the width of the profile graph.
Once an ending point has been selected, a selection box appears allowing you to move the pointer until the box is at a desired profile width. The actual dimensions and point count for the selection box are displayed in a small dialog box in the ArcMap display window. These values change interactively as you move the pointer over the point set. The units of the displayed width correspond to the coordinates of the data being used for the analysis. When a maximum point count is reached, you cannot make the selection box any larger.
Points will be displayed even if the selection window is drawn on a surface. The surface view of a LAS dataset is not supported in the Profile View window.
- The Profile Graph tool on the 3D Analyst interactive toolbar is also available to generate profiles. This tool will only be available when the LAS dataset is displayed as a triangulated irregular network (TIN) surface. To learn more about the 3D Analyst profile tools, see Fundamentals of creating profile graphs.
- Launch the LAS dataset 3D View window to visualize the LAS dataset points that are currently shown in the 2D profile view in 3D full resolution.
- Use the +/- keys on the keyboard to increase or decrease the size of the points that are displayed in the Profile View window.
Profile View tools
There are several tools available for the LAS dataset points on the Profile View toolbar:
Navigate tool
The wide variety of functions built into the Navigate tool means it will most likely be the main navigation tool you use in Profile View. Clicking the left and right mouse buttons and dragging up, down, left, or right allows you to rotate the view, zoom in, and zoom out. Other navigation functions, such as setting the target location, are exposed through the use of keyboard shortcuts.
Zoom In tool
Use the Zoom In tool to zoom in to a target by clicking once and dragging a box in the Profile View window.
Zoom Out tool
Use the Zoom Out tool to zoom out from a target by clicking once and dragging a box in the Profile View window.
Pan tool
Use the Pan tool to move throughout the LAS dataset points in the 2D LAS dataset profile view.
Full Extent tool
Click the Full Extent button to zoom to the full extent of Profile View.
Refresh tool
Use the Refresh tool to refresh the data view to match the extent and symbology of the LAS dataset layer in the ArcMap window.
Point Information tool
Select the Point Information tool to display additional information corresponding to a selected lidar point. Once a point has been selected, by default, basic location and attribute information is displayed. Select the Show more LAS attributes check box to display additional LAS attribute information for the selected point. The graphic below depicts the Profile Information window that will be displayed.
Measure
Measure elevation and elevation difference between LAS points using the Measure tool .
- Click the Measure tool from the Profile View toolbar to measure elevation and elevation difference between two selected points.
- Click a starting point to begin the measurement in the Profile View (Start).
- Click an ending point in the Profile View to finish the measurement (End).
Cross Section Geology
Select points
Use the Select Points tool to select LAS dataset points from Profile View. Once the tool is selected, either click on a point to select point by point or drag a selection box in Profile View to select several points. Hold down the SHIFT or CTRL key to add to an existing selection.
Clear selected points
Use the Clear Selection button to clear selected LAS dataset points from Profile View.
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Edit LAS dataset points
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Use the Edit button to launch the Change Class Codes dialog box. This dialog box allows you to edit the classification codes and bit flags associated with the LAS points of the LAS dataset displayed in Profile View.
Profile View options
The Profile View Options button controls how the LAS dataset Profile View window appears. You can change Background color, Point size factor, and Point budget on the Profile View Options dialog box.