Once you've visualized your data in 3D using ArcScene as demonstrated in the tutorial
Visualizing Data in 3D, you can export your three-dimensional data to be imported and used in 3D CAD software. Here we demonstrate how to do this with Rhinoceros and 3DS Max.
1. With your 3D data visualized in the ArcScene data frame, click File > Export Scene > 3D.
In the Export dialogue box choose a destination and file name for your 3D file. Your file will be exported as a .VRML file, the only file type possible to export.
Note* With larger files containing many polygons, it's best to split your exports into smaller groups. For example, trying to export a 3D file of all the buildings in Manhattan will likely crash your computer and/or ArcScene. The same applies if you've visualized a very large expanse of terrain.
Importing in Rhinoceros
2. Launch Rhino and when indicated select to start a new file as Large Objects - using the units of the map you exported, such as feet, meters, etc
Once Rhino opens, click File > Import and select your file. You may need to toggle the VRML file type pull down menu in order to see your file.
3D BUILDINGS
If you imported a VRML composed of 3D buildings, they will appear rotated about the X-axis in a vertical orientation.
To get them horizontal, open the "Right" viewport (Right Click the Viewport label > Set View > Right). Select the mesh geometry and use the Rotate command to rotate around the origin (0,0,0) by 90 degrees. This will ensure that the 3D geometry remains aligned with any other exported geometry from ArcGIS.
Your buildings should now be horizontal.
If you zoom in and look closely at the 3D buildings, you will notice that the mesh is outlined around particular faces and that when you orbit around the buildings the outlined faces change. This is because ArcScene exports the VRML as one-sided and so it renders the meshes one-sided and although some mesh faces appear to be missing, the geometry is there but not rendered. While this will cause it to appear incorrectly in the viewport in Shaded mode, it should appear correctly in Rendered Viewport mode and when Rendering using Rhino Render or other rendering engines (like Vray).
While this geometry is usable in Rhino, you will not be able to use functions like Make2D without first converting the mesh geometry to NURBS geometry. This can be accomplished through the MeshToNURBS command, extruding exported building footprints and using the mesh as a reference snapping point, or by generating the geometry using Grasshopper (see the Importing GIS Data to Grasshopper tutorial).
3D TERRAIN SURFACES
The process for importing 3D terrain surfaces is the same at the method noted above for building extrusions. ArcScene will break the terrain surface into tile sections, and you will see multiple overlapping tiles at three levels of resolution (low, medium, and high). The imported surface can sometime have an elevated "lip" around the edge of the terrain which can be manually trimmed away in Rhino.
Importing in 3DStudioMax
(Only for the 32-bit version of Max. This next part will NOT work on GSAPP computers)
3D BUILDING
Launch 3DS Max. Click File > Import. A dialogue box should open for you to select your file. You can again toggle the pulldown for filetype and select VRML from the list. After you select your file, a new box will open up with a couple different options.
Uncheck the box "Turn to 3DS coordinates" if you want to retain the size and dimensions of your original VRML file. If you do this, MAX will import the file rotated about the X-axis like it does in Rhino and you will have to rotate it back to horizontal again.
You can solve this problem by leaving the box "Turn to 3DS Coordinates" checked when you import the file. But then your VRML file will use the units of the scene you already setup.
Notice that all the faces of the polygon mesh are rendered properly and the buildings are facing the correct way in the Z-axis. If you want, you can now export the buildings as a 3DS, OBJ, or DWG to use in Rhino again without any problem.
3D TERRAIN SURFACES
The process for importing a 3D terrain surface in 3DS Max is the same as for the buildings, so follow the instructions above. When you import your surface, it should appear like this:
3DS Max subdivides the mesh into smaller pieces, this is why there are different colors. For some reason, ArcScene exports surface terrain VRML's very small. More than likely, you will have to scale your mesh to the correct size if you want it to be to scale.
