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Skyline and Esri Integration

Yaniv Dayan
  • Updated

In this article:

Displaying Esri Data in TerraExplorer Pro

Feature Layers

In TerraExplorer Pro, you can load Esri feature layers from local or remote databases. When a feature layer is loaded, you can perform layer level operations by using its property sheet to set the appearance and behavior of the layer's features. If you load a layer whose coordinate system is different from the terrain's, TerraExplorer will automatically reproject it to the project's coordinate system. If TerraExplorer can't read this information, you can indicate the layer’s coordinate system during the load process. More about: Loading Feature Layers >

 

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Supported Esri local database formats:

  • Esri shapefile
  • Esri File Geodatabase

Supported Esri servers:

  • Web Feature Server (WFS, WFS-T)
  • ArcGIS GeoServices REST Server
  • Esri ArcSDE (legacy) 

To load a feature layer from a local database:

  1. On the Home tab, in the Add group, click the arrow next to Feature Layer, and select the required format or select More Formats and Servers.
  2. Browse to the required file and click Open. 
  3. Select the layer(s) from the list and click Import to directly load with default settings or click Next to set the layer’s general settings.
  4. Click Next to select the attribute fields to load, set layer and layer object parameters, and apply different properties such as line color or cylinder height, based on the attribute field values of the objects.
  5. Click Load to load the layer.

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To load a layer from Esri servers:

  1. On the Home tab, in the Add group, click the arrow next to Feature Layer, and select the required server or select More Formats and Servers.
  2. In the From Server section, select the server type. A connection parameters dialog box is displayed.
  3. Enter the required connection parameters for the specific server or database, and click Connect.
  4. Select the layer(s) from the list and click Import to load the layer.

  • Connection parameters:

    • Web Feature Server (WFS, WFS-T)
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    • ArcGIS GeoServices REST Server
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    • Esri ArcSDE (legacy) 
      To access data from ArcSDE server, TerraExplorer requires access to specific ArcSDE components (dynamic link library files): sde.dll, pe.dll and sg.dll, of versions 10.0, 9.3 or 9.2. For versions 9.2 and 9.3, msvcr71.dll is also required. These files are installed with various Esri components, including ArcGIS Desktop and ArcSDE SDK, as well as the free viewers, ArcGIS Explorer Desktop and ArcReader. To allow TerraExplorer to access these files, do any of the following:
      • Make sure an ARCGISHOME or AGSDESKTOPJAVA environment variable is defined on your system and includes a reference to a folder under which a bin folder exists with the above-mentioned files.
      • Make sure a PATH environment variable is defined on your system and includes a reference to a folder under which a bin folder exists with the above-mentioned files.
      • Copy the DLL’s to the main TerraExplorer folder.

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Working with Feature Layers

  • General Styling - Use a layer's property sheet to set the appearance and behaviors of the geographic objects contained within the layer. More about: General styling >
  • Styling by Attribute - Customize the appearance and behavior of layer features based on their field attribute values. More about: Styling by attribute > 
  • Spatial Queries - Find features based on their spatial relationship with a polygon, line, or point, or an existing object. More about: Spatial queries > 
  • Spatial Operations - Perform various spatial operations on a layer’s features, including deleting selected features, merging features into a single feature, creating a multipart feature, clipping one polygon from another, exploding a multi-part feature into its individual component features, and exporting selected features to a new file. More about: Spatial operations >
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    Attribute Queries - Use the Attribute Table Tool, to search and filter the data in a feature layer to obtain and display only features with a particular value. More about: Attribute queries >

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  • Saving - Since you are always connected to the data source (local or remote), you can easily get the latest source updates by refreshing the layer. For .shp files and WFS-T, all changes can be saved directly to the original source file. More about: Saving >
  • Uploading to SkylineGlobe Server - Upload new and modified layers to SkylineGlobe Server directly from TerraExplorer. More about: Uploading to SkylineGlobe Server >

More about: Working with Features >

 

Raster Layers

TerraExplorer supports two types of raster data: geo-referenced, satellite or aerial images that overlay the terrain imagery and geo-referenced elevation raster that replaces the elevation data of the terrain database. TerraExplorer Pro enables you to load raster layers from your own computer or on your local network, or from a database that is served over a network by one of the supported GIS servers.
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To add a raster source from file:

  1. On the Home tab, in the Add group, click the arrow next to Raster Layer, and select the required format or select More Formats and Servers / Other Elevation Formats. 
  2. Browse to the required file, and click Open.
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  3. It is recommended to convert the raster layer to an MPT with a resolution pyramid (multi-resolution file). This enables TerraExplorer to display a layer in different altitudes. More about: Converting raster layers to MPT >
  4. If the source file does not include coordinate system information or TerraExplorer cannot read it from the file, the Coordinate System dialog box opens. Specify the coordinate system of the layer.
  5. After the layer has been placed on the terrain, you can change its properties using the property sheet.

More about: Loading Raster Layers from File >

To add a raster source from a server:

  1. On the Home tab, in the Add group, click the arrow next to Raster Layer, and select the required server. The Browse for Imagery Layer/Elevation Layer dialog box opens.
  2. In the From Server section, select the server type. 
  3. Enter the information required for the selected server, and click OK.
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  4. Select the layer and click Open.
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More about: Loading Raster Layers from Raster Servers >.

Displaying Skyline Datasets in Esri Clients

Exporting TerraExplorer Datasets to Esri Supported Formats

TerraExplorer objects, features, 3D mesh layers, and analysis results can be exported to Esri supported formats for display in Esri clients.

Feature Layers

TerraExplorer works natively with shapefile and File Geodatabase feature layers and remote databases. You can easily get the latest source updates by refreshing the layer. After editing the layer in TerraExplorer, all changes can be saved directly to the original data source file.

To save layer changes to the original source file:

  1. In the Project Tree, right-click the required layer and select Save Layer from the shortcut menu. OR On the Feature Layer tab, in the Load and Save group, click Save Layer.
  2. A warning dialog box is displayed cautioning you that you are about to modify the original source file. Click Yes to continue or No to cancel.

You can also also save a layer to an Esri supported format on your local disk. This can be particularly useful if a layer is located on a slow accessed remote server; by saving to a local file, you speed up access. You can save to the following Esri file formats:

  • Shapefile (*.shp)
  • Geodatabase (*.gdb)

To save a layer to an Esri-supported file format:

  1. On the Feature Layer tab, in the Load and Save group, click the arrow next to Save Layer, and select Save as. The Save As dialog box is displayed.
  2. Browse to the required Save location and in the File name field, enter the file name.
  3. If you are saving the layer as a .gdb file, type a Layer name.
  4. From the Save as type drop-down list, select a file type (.gdb, .shp). and click Save.

More about: Saving Layer Changes to a New File >

3DML to Esri I3S/SLPK

TerraExplorer’s mesh layer export tools vastly expand TerraExplorer's compatibility with external viewing and editing applications. The Export to Mesh tool supports export to Esri I3S/SLPK format and incorporates clip polygon capabilities so you can extract a specific area of the layer for export. More about: Exporting mesh layers to other formats and models >

To export a mesh layer to Esri I3S/SLPK format:

  1. Select the mesh layer, and then in the Mesh Layer group, select Export to Mesh. The Export to Mesh Layer dialog box is displayed.
  2. The Input Mesh Layer is automatically populated based on the layer selected in the previous step.
  3. The mesh layer’s coordinate system is automatically read from the layer. If you want to change the model’s coordinate system, in the Input Coordinate System field, click Change.
  4. Select an Output Format: I3S-SLPK (Esri).
  5. Browse to the required Output Folder. The exported mesh layer will be saved to this folder.
  6. If you want to export sections of the mesh layer using clip polygons on the clipboard, select the check-box. The clip polygons are saved to a shapefile containing a single multi-polygon with all the geometries.
  7. Click Create. The created 3DML is added to the project and displayed in the Project Tree.

More about: Exporting mesh layers to other formats >

Objects

TerraExplorer objects within a group can be converted to Esri shapefile format.

  1. Create a group in the Project Tree and move all the objects you wish to export into this folder. 
  2. Right-click the required group and select the Save As Layer(s) from the shortcut menu. 
  3. In the Save as type section, select Shapefile (*.shp) or File Geodatabase (*.gdb), and click Save. The Export dialog box is displayed.
  4. Enter the required parameters and click Export.

More about: Converting Groups to Layers > 

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Analysis Tools Results

The output of some analysis tools is a point shapefile layer with Z value, which can  be viewed in Esri applications.

  • Shadow Query - The Shadow Query tool calculates the sun-shadow ratio in a specified area, over a selected timespan. The output of the analysis is a point shapefile layer that color codes each point in the layer according to its sun-shadow ratio. More about: Shadow Query Tool >
  • 3D Viewshed Query - The Viewshed Query tool enables you to analyze the visibility from multiple viewshed observer viewpoints to a selected area. Based on the 3D viewshed analysis object, the tool computes the overall visibility of different points in the designated area. The output of the analysis is exported to a point shapefile layer that graphically represents the visibility of the different points. More about: 3D Viewshed Query >
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  • Elevation Difference: 3D Mesh Layers - Analyze the elevation difference between two mesh layers in a defined polygonal area. This allows you to carefully compare between two layers and identify where there have been changes, e.g., for use in urban development to monitor compliance with building zone regulations and detect illegal construction. The elevation difference results are automatically exported to a point shapefile that is listed in the Project Tree and saved under the application AppData. You can find the full path to this shapefile in the layer's property sheet, in the File Name property under the Layer tab. More about: Elevation Difference - 3D Mesh Layers >

  • Elevation Difference: Elevation Layers - Analyze the elevation difference between two elevation layers or between an elevation layer and base terrain in a defined polygonal area. This allows you to carefully compare between two layers, e.g., to contrast between the state of an area before and after a landslide or volcano, or to evaluate restorative efforts following mining activity.
    The elevation difference results are automatically exported to a point shapefile that is listed in the Project Tree and saved under the application AppData. More about: Elevation Difference - Elevation Layers >
  • Slope Map Query - The Slope Map query tool calculates the slope value in a specified area. The area is defined by a drawn line or polygon, or by a selection of points, lines or polygons.
    The output of the analysis is a point shapefile layer that graphically represents the slope values at different points in the specified area. Each point in the feature layer is color-coded according to the steepness of the elevation model. More about: Slope Map Query >
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  • Terrain Profile - The Terrain Profile tool displays the terrain elevation profile along a defined path, and related information on this profile such as maximum and minimum elevation values and slope. The terrain profile can also compare between the base terrain and an elevation layer. The terrain profile can be exported to a shapefile layer. More about: Terrain Profile >

  • Volume Analysis -  The Volume Analysis tool analyzes the volume of the terrain or model removed or added by selected horizontal planes or modify terrain/3DML objects. A point shapefile layer can be created representing each volume analysis result. The area and volume (removed or added) of each sample in the feature layer is stored in attribute fields of the feature that represents the sample. More about: Volume Analysis > 

  • Threat Dome -  The Threat Dome tool analyzes and displays the area that is visible from a given point on the terrain within a 360 horizontal field of view. Several display options for the threat dome are available so that the particular information required can be easily visualized. The threat dome profile can be exported to a shapefile layer. More about: Threat Dome >

Displaying SGS Layers in Esri Clients

SkylineGlobe Server provides streaming services for all your terrain (MPT/TBP), map (raster-WMS/WMTS), and 3D mesh (3DML).

SkylineGlobe Server is compliant with the following OpenGIS Implementation Specifications:

  • OpenGIS® Web Map Service (WMS) Implementation Specification
  • OpenGIS® Web Map Tiling Service (WMTS) Implementation Specification

WMS and WMTS Layers

You can connect to SGS in your Esri clients (ArcGIS Desktop, ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Earth, and ArcGIS Online) to access WMS and WMTS layers. 

Note:    The following Esri versions are supported: ArcGIS Pro v 2.3.0 and above, ArcGIS Earth v 1.9, and ArcGIS Online June 2019 update.

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Mesh Layers (3DML) Exposed as I3S

After a 3DML is published to SGS, SGS can expose the layer as I3S for all Esri clients, i.e. ArcGIS Earth, ArcGIS Pro, and ArcGIS Online.

Note:    The following Esri versions are supported: ArcGIS Pro v 2.3.0 and above, ArcGIS Earth v 1.9, and ArcGIS Online June 2019 update.

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PhotoMesh Output Formats for Esri Clients

Skyline’s PhotoMesh application fully automates the building of high-resolution, textured, 3D mesh models from oblique and nadir photographs and Lidar captured from street view, drones, UAV and airplanes. PhotoMesh results can be generated in standard 3D model (3DML, Esri  I3S /SLPK, 3D Tiles, DAE, OBJ, OSGB), raster (Orthophoto, DSM, DTM) and point cloud (LAS) formats.

To set output formats: 

  1. Click the Output tab.
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  2. From the 3D Mesh parameters, select I3S/SLPK. When this output format is generated, a tool is also produced in the output folder that can convert the I3S output to a compressed SLPK package. To convert the I3S to SLPK, run the “SPKMaker.exe” that is placed in the output folder, and browse to the “I3SOut.slpk” file created in that folder. The I3S layer is converted to SLPK v1.5. 
    Note: For I3S/SLPK v1.7, it is recommended to output the mesh model as 3DML, and then export the mesh to I3S in TerraExplorer Pro. More about: Exporting mesh layers to other formats >
    Alternatively, you can output to I3S v1.5 in PhotoMesh and then convert the output to SLPK v1.7 using the I3S converter. More about: I3S converter >
  3. From the Point Cloud parameters, select the LAS check-box to create a Lidar LAS file with X,Y,Z position and color information for each point of the point cloud. Then select one of the following options:
    • Sampled refined 3D model – To create a point cloud by sampling the final textured model. Then in the Resolution field, enter the density for sampling the model.
    • Points from photo correlation - To generate a point cloud based on the correlation of points in the photos.
  4. From the Raster parameters, select all required raster formats: Orthophoto, DSM, and DTM/DEM.

More about: Setting Output Formats >

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