Introduction to 3D Data: Modeling with ArcGIS 3D Analyst and Google Earth [Paperback]

Heather Kennedy (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0470381248 | ISBN-13: 978-0470381243 | Publication Date: June 29, 2009 | Edition: 1

Render three-dimensional data and maps with ease.

Written as a self-study workbook, Introduction to 3D Data demystifies the sometimes confusing controls and procedures required for 3D modeling using software packages such as ArcGIS 3D Analyst and Google Earth. 

Going beyond the manual that comes with the software, this profusely illustrated guide explains how to use ESRI’s ArcGIS 3D Analyst to model and analyze three-dimensional geographical surfaces, create 3D data, and produce displays ranging from topographically realistic maps to 3D scenes and spherical earth-like views.   The engagingly user-friendly instruction:

• Walks you through basic concepts of 3D data, progressing to more advanced techniques such as calculating surface area and volume

• Introduces you to two major software packages: ArcGIS 3D Analyst (including ArcScene and ArcGlobe) and Google Earth

• Reinforces your understanding through in-depth discussions with over thirty hands-on exercises and tutorial datasets on the support website at www.wiley/college/kennedy

• Helps you apply the theory with real-world applications

Whether you’re a student or professional in geology, landscape architecture, transportation system planning, hydrology, or a related field, Introduction to 3D Data   will quickly turn you into a power user of 3D GIS. 

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

render three-dimensional data and maps with ease

Written as a self-study workbook, Introduction to 3D Data demystifies the sometimes confusing controls and procedures required for 3D modeling using software packages such as ArcGIS 3D Analyst and Google Earth.

Going beyond the manual that comes with the software, this profusely illustrated guide explains how to use ESRI's ArcGIS 3D Analyst to model and analyze three-dimensional geographical surfaces, create 3D data, and produce displays ranging from topographically realistic maps to 3D scenes and spherical earth-like views. The engagingly user-friendly instruction:

• Walks you through basic concepts of 3D data, progressing to more advanced techniques such as calculating surface area and volume

• Introduces you to two major software packages: ArcGIS 3D Analyst (including ArcScene and ArcGlobe) and Google Earth

• Reinforces your understanding through in-depth discussions with over thirty hands-on exercises and tutorial datasets provided at www.wiley.com/college/kennedy

• Helps you apply the theory with real-world applications

Whether you're a student or professional in geology, landscape architecture, transportation system planning, hydrology, or a related field, Introduction to 3D Data will quickly turn you into a power user of 3D GIS.

About the Author

K. Heather Kennedy is a GIS Planner in the Community Development Department of Contra Costa County, California. A freelance technical writer, she has written The ESRI Press Dictionary of GIS Terminology and Data in Three Dimensions.

Product Details

• Paperback: 360 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (June 29, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470381248
• ISBN-13: 978-0470381243
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #159,417 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely the easiest and most informative GIS guide I've ever read, December 4, 2011

By 

Saven - See all my reviews

This review is from: Introduction to 3D Data: Modeling with ArcGIS 3D Analyst and Google Earth (Paperback)

I ordered this book because the facilities department I work in was getting ready to test migrating our pipeline BIM models to ArcScene, and I wanted a refresher on the software. Once I opened it, I found out that it's a very thorough and well written guide to all the basic (and many not so basic) aspects of working with three dimensional data in ArcScene, ArcGlobe, and Google Earth. Every chapter begins with a clear introduction to the material that's written so that even someone fairly new to the field can easily grasp what's going on. The bulk of most chapters are then tutorials with complete (and explained!) step-by-step instructions on how to perform what was talked about in the beginning of the chapter, and go on to take the material a little further. Even though the book was written for Arc 9.3 and I'm using 10.0, the differences were so sleight, and the instructions were explained so well, that I never once felt lost. Not only has this book already proven invaluable to our water infrastructure model, but it's allowed us to start preliminary testing of a number of other analyses that before, were firmly in the "maybe someday" category. I would recommend this book to anyone who's not already expert in three dimensional modeling and analysis in a heartbeat, especially to people just entering the GIS field.