how to create 3d buildings in arcgis 9.3

[RanadivRavindran]

hi friends
Can anyone please help me to know the step by step procedures to create 3d buildings in ArcMap 9.3.
I have tried creating feature class by checking coordinates Z value in Geometry Properties and gave the
coordinate system WGS 1984 43N (Projected Coordinate system) and Vertical coordinate system as WGS 1984 and added
feature field as Z value. Later created foot prints in ArcMap and added Z values in attribute manually, after that
i tried to convert 2D features using 3D Analyst and added source of height as Z in Input feature attribute but it shows an error
called cannot create output feature class.

Please guys help me to sort this out.

Regards

Ranadiv

[EricLewis]

Sorry Ranadiv,I cannot help you out because even I am planning to construct 3d building. Now I live in a small house but for the future I have to make a new house, so I thought why not I should try for the 3d building. So, I too want the tips and procedure for it. But I am planning to get the tutorials also. So, please suggest If any one could help us out.
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[CarrieDavis]

Hi Ranadiv,

I'm not sure what workflow you are using to convert the 2D polygons to 3D and why you were not able to output a feature class.  Would you post more information about your workflow?  If you have building footprints as 2D polygons with the building height as an attribute you can use polygon extrusion to convert building footprints into 3D buildings in ArcScene.  Since you are currently working with 9.3, I have attached some links for creating 3D building with that version that you may want to look at.

Using extrusion as 3D symbology in ArcScene or ArcGlobe (online help for 9.3)
http://webhelp.esri.com/arcgisdesktop/9.3/index.cfm?TopicName=Using_extrusion_as_3D_symbology

Then use Layer 3D to Feature Class tool to convert the extruded footprint to a multipatch. 

Layer 3D To Feature Class (3D Analyst help)
http://webhelp.esri.com/arcgisdesktop/9.3/index.cfm?TopicName=Layer_3D_to_feature_class_%283D_Analys...

You could also use a 3D point to represent a building in a 3D graphics layer.  Below is a link to a tutorial on this.

symbolize a 3D point to represent a building in 3D graphics layer
http://webhelp.esri.com/arcgisdesktop/9.3/tutorials/3D_analyst/3D_9_10.htm

If possible you may want to look into updating to ArcGIS version 10 or 10.1.  The latest versions of ArcGIS and CityEngine have advanced methods for working with and creating 3D buildings.  Here is an example workflow you could use if you had version 10 and Sketchup.

Blog on pipeline for editing individual 3D building geometry and textures in 10
http://resources.arcgis.com/gallery/video/3dgis/details?entryID=E52B671B-1422-2418-A0D7-B2B9B82381FC

CityEngine 2012 would be the best solution if you have a large number of buildings you would like to mass model.

http://blogs.esri.com/esri/arcgis/2012/10/03/cityengine-2012-1-released/

Hope this helps.

Carrie