Introducing Geographic Information Systems with ArcGIS: A Workbook Approach to Learning GIS, 3rd Edition

TINs Are Three-Dimensional Datasets

____ 10. To look at a TIN in another way, and to get a glimpse of the 3D viewing capability of GIS, we go back to ArcCatalog. We need the full ArcCatalog capabilities to do this, so launch ArcCatalog from the All Programs menu or an icon on the desktop. Make ArcCatalog occupy the full monitor screen. Under the Customize menu in ArcCatalog, activate the 3D Analyst extension. Find COLE_TIN in [___]IGIS-Arc\River and click it. Select the Preview tab and observe. In the Preview text box, select 3D View. A different-looking cursor appears as well as a map being viewed from an angle. The position of the cursor is initially unimportant, but if you move it around, slowly, holding down the left mouse button, you can dramatically affect the view of the TIN. Play with it. Then, (gently) do the same with the right mouse button. What is the effect? _______________________ You can achieve the same effect by rotating the wheel on your mouse. To move the map on the screen press both mouse buttons (or press the center wheel on the mouse) and move the cursor.

____ 11. Now make sure Customize > Toolbars > 3D View Tools is turned on (checked). Put the toolbar somewhere out of the way. Use it to zoom in on the area of the river, using the magnifying glass icon. Now use the Navigate cursor (left end of the toolbar) to look at the gorge of the river, from the eastern edge of the TIN and somewhat above. You can take your own little helicopter ride around the area. ...