Module 3 - LiDAR: Visibility Analysis

In module 3 we used ESRI Academy to complete 4 trainings. Those trainings were Introduction to 3D Visualization, Preforming Line of Sight Analysis, Preforming Viewshed Analysis in ArcGIS Pro, and Sharing 3D Content Using Scene Layer Packages. In these trainings not only do you gain a basic understanding of the topics, but you also get to interact with different tools and learn some tips for practicing the concepts. 

Introduction to 3D Visualization
In this training, I learned the basics of working with 3D data in ArcGIS Pro. It showed how to create a 3D scene, set up elevation surfaces, and apply 3D symbols to features so they appear realistically in space. The course helped me understand how to view and explore geographic data in three dimensions, which can reveal patterns and relationships that aren’t as obvious in 2D maps. One of the main tools used was the 3D Scene Viewer, which lets you build local or global 3D scenes and visualize how features interact with terrain in a more immersive way.

Preforming Line of Sight Analysis
This course covered how to run a line of sight analysis between two points using elevation data. It taught me how to place an observer and a target point and then use the tool to see if one location is visible from the other. The output highlights where the view is blocked or clear, which is useful for things like planning lookout points, camera placement, or visibility studies. The key tool used was the Line of Sight tool, which displays a line between two points and marks visible sections in green and blocked areas in red based on surrounding terrain or structures.

Performing Viewshed Analysis in ArcGIS Pro
In this training, I learned how to perform a viewshed analysis, which maps out the area visible from one or more observation points. It involved using surface elevation data and setting parameters like observer height and distance. The viewshed results help with understanding what areas can be seen from a certain location, which can be useful for planning, safety, or environmental assessments. The course focused on the Viewshed tool, which produces a raster showing visible and non-visible areas from selected observer points by analyzing elevation and other viewing parameters.

Sharing 3D Content Using Scene Layer Packages
This course showed how to prepare and share 3D content using scene layer packages in ArcGIS Pro. I learned how to export 3D data into a package format and publish it online so that others can view it interactively. The process helps make 3D visualizations accessible for sharing with teams or the public through ArcGIS Online or Enterprise. The main tool used was the Create Scene Layer Package tool, which bundles 3D features into a shareable .slpk file that can be published and viewed as part of a web scene without requiring local data access.

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