Using Analysis Tools

Analysis Tab

The Analysis tools are accessed from the Analysis tab. To use a tool, click the required command:

Tool	Description
Measurements
Query	Displays general information about any position or object in the 3D Window that is queried.
Distance	The distance tool measures and displays the following distances between two or more points in the 3D Window: § Horizontal Distance § Aerial Distance § Vertical Distance
Area	The area tool measures and displays either of the following: § Terrain Area – Measures an area on the terrain, either: § Horizontal plane – The horizontal projection of the selected area. § Terrain surface - The surface area of the selected region taking into account terrain contours. § 3D Plane Area - Measures the area of a polygon on an arbitrary surface whose orientation is determined by the first three points selected.
Terrain Analysis
Contour Map	Colorizes and/or overlays the terrain with contour lines, to indicate changes in elevation. A contour map can be displayed over the entire terrain and all 3DML layers or for a specified area of the terrain.
Slope Map	The Slope Map tools provide slope information for any of the following: § Global Slope Map – Displays slope map for the entire terrain. § Slope Map Query – Graphically represents slope values in a specified area using a color-coded point shapefile. § Slope Cursor - Displays slope information in a specified radius around a selected point. § Custom Slope Map– Displays slope map for a specified area.
Best Path	Displays the best path between two locations on the terrain with slope limits.
Terrain Profile	Displays the terrain elevation profile along a path.
Flood	Assesses the land area covered by water in different water flooding scenarios.
Volume	Analyzes the amount of terrain removed or added to a selected Modify Terrain object.
Cross Section	Makes a horizontal or vertical straight cut to expose obscured sections of the 3D View.
Clip Box	Clips everything outside or inside of a selected box to help you focus on specific elements in your 3D project.
Line of Sight
Line of Sight	Displays a visual marker for the existence of a line of sight from a single observer position to one or more positions in the world.
Viewshed	Calculate the view from a selected observer point or multiple observer viewpoints: § 3D Viewshed – Calculate and mark all areas on the terrain and on 3D models and objects that are visible from a selected point on the terrain. § 2D Viewshed - Calculate and mark all areas on the terrain that are visible from a selected point on the terrain. § Viewshed Query - Analyzes the visibility of a selected area from multiple viewshed observer viewpoints.
Viewshed on Route	Displays a viewshed analysis from a series of points along a route: § 3D Viewshed on Route by Speed – Provides an animated representation of the terrain and objects that are visible as a dynamic object progresses along a defined route according to a set speed § 3D Viewshed on Route by Time – Provides an animated representation of the terrain and objects that are visible as a dynamic object progresses along a defined route over a defined time frame. § 3D Viewshed on Route Query – Analyzes the visibility of a selected area from multiple viewshed observer viewpoints along a route. § 2D Viewshed on Route - Provides an animated representation of the terrain that is visible as a dynamic object progresses along a defined route.
Threat Dome	Displays the visible volume from a given point on the terrain with a specified scan field and elevation angle.
Buffer Query	Detects all penetrations by 3D elements (e.g., 3D object or 3DML) to a set buffer zone of a selected polyline. Query points with breached buffer zones are colored in red. The output of the analysis is a point feature layer that graphically represents the locations along the line where a penetration to the buffer zone was found.
Comparison
Swipe	The following swipe comparison tools are available: § Swipe Layers - Helps you detect changes between two mesh, point cloud, or imagery layers in the same location by allowing you to horizontally swipe between them, dynamically revealing and hiding parts of each layer. § Swipe Snapshots - Helps you create and compare snapshots showing different versions of the area in view in the 3D Window by showing or hiding objects in the Project Tree.
Elevation	Analyze the elevation difference between two layers: elevation, feature, point cloud or 3D mesh in a defined polygonal area.
Shadow
Global Shadow	Cast a shadow from all buildings and 3D models.
Selection Shadow	Cast a shadow for selected objects.
Shadow Query	Calculates the sun-shadow ratio in a specified area, over a selected timespan.