5/13/24, 3:06 AM How To: Convert 2D Points to 3D Lines Using 'From' and 'To' Values

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Convert 2D points to 3D lines using 'from' and 'to'

values
Last Published: April 25, 2020

Summary Related Information

ArcScene and the 3D Analyst extension can be used to convert a 2D point
ArcGIS Help: Extruding features by
feature class that contains attributes for 'from' and 'to' elevation values to a 3D an attribute value
line feature class.
ArcGIS Help: Layer 3D To Feature
Class (3D Analyst)
Note:
For example, this workflow could be used to create a 3D line feature class ArcGIS Help: Feature To 3D By
depicting wells from a 2D point feature class that represents the surface Attribute (3D Analyst)
location of the wells, but contains attributes that represent the surface
elevation and depth of the wells.

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Procedure topic
The following workflow requires the 3D Analyst extension and a point feature
class containing attributes of 'from' and 'to' elevation values.

1. Convert the 2D point feature class to a 3D point feature class. This step Esri Community
takes one of the elevation values and incorporates it as the Z-value in the Search for related information
3D point feature class.
a. Launch ArcToolbox > 3D Analyst Tools > 3D Features > Feature To
3D By Attribute tool.
b. Select the 2D point feature class as the 'Input Features' and one of the Training
Technical Support
elevation attributes as the 'Height Field'. If one of the elevation
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attributes represents surface elevation, it would be ideal to use it for
the 'Height Field'.

Note: ArcGIS Ideas

Leave the 'To Height Field' blank. Explore ideas and give feedback

c. Click OK to execute the tool and generate a point feature class that
now contains a Z-value in addition to X and Y coordinates.

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5/13/24, 3:06 AM How To: Convert 2D Points to 3D Lines Using 'From' and 'To' Values

2. Add the new 3D point feature class to ArcScene and extrude the points to
3D lines.
a. Launch ArcScene and add the new 3D point feature class.
b. Right-click the new 3D point feature class in Table of Contents and
click Properties. Select the Extrusion tab.
c. Check the Extrude features in layer checkbox.
d. Specify the elevation attribute, the one not yet used, as the 'Extrusion
value or expression' by clicking on the calculator button.
e. Specify the 'Apply extrusion by' method depending on whether the
attribute represents an actual elevation value or the height
above/below the surface elevation.

f. Click OK to extrude the points to 3D lines.

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5/13/24, 3:06 AM How To: Convert 2D Points to 3D Lines Using 'From' and 'To' Values

3. Convert the extruded point feature class to a 3D line feature class.

a. Launch the ArcToolbox > 3D Analyst Tools > Conversion > Layer 3D
to Feature Class tool.
b. Select the extruded 3D point feature class from the ArcScene
document for the 'Input Feature Layer' using the pulldown menu.

Note:
Leave the 'Grouping Field' empty.

c. Click OK to execute the tool and generate a 3D line feature class.

Article ID:000011817

Software:

ArcMap

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5/13/24, 3:06 AM How To: Convert 2D Points to 3D Lines Using 'From' and 'To' Values
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