Building Interior Space 3D Visualization using ArcGIS Desktop 3D Analyst Extension

[Er__AlekhyaDatta]

Dear ALL,

I have complete datasets of a building in AutoCAD file format (*.DWG) and need to convert the same into ESRI ArcGIS file format (*.SHP) including the 3D Visualization of the building exterior/interior space using ArcGIS 3D Analysts Extension.

Could anyone please suggest me any feasible methodology for the same and whether ArcGIS 3D Analyst Extension supports the building interior space visualization else only the exterior building (only 3D building). By using ArcGIS Desktop v10 with 3D Analyst Extension can I get any extra capabilities as per my above mentioned requirements such as 3D visualization of building interior space like Autodesk Revit Architecture.

Thanks in advance!!


Thanks & Regards,

Er. Alekhya Datta
Software Engineer (GIS)
INCA Informatics Private Limited

[JakubSisak]

You can view 3D DXF and DWG files in ArcGIS natively. No conversion necessary.  You can also import all features into a geodatabase or shapefile.
As for the data format, if there are polylin and polygon features in the 3D model, you can export these to ESRI Shapefile or Geodatabase Features Class but the 3D Solid objects can be converted to ESRI 3D Multipatch Features.

Textures and colors might not display correctly.

ArcGIS 3D Analyst applications (ArcGlobe and ArcScene) are not exactly meant for viewing building interior space but I can't see why it couldn't work.

It seems to me that Google SketchUp might be better suited for this type of visualization but you will need to get the PRO version to import DXF and DWG.  Even in ArcGIS we use it to construct building exteriors for our scenes. The last time i checked, Google was offering a free 48 hour trial.