GIS 5100 - M3 Lab: Visibility Analysis

This week we were asked to complete 4 Esri courses through the ArcGIS online website in relation to this week's topic of visibility analysis. I have learned there are two general types of visibility analysis: line-of-sight analysis and viewshed analysis. Both of these functions may be similar but have different outputs. Line-of-sight analysis has an output of a map with visible segments along a set of lines answering the question of what segments are visible along a specific straight line. Viewshed analysis has an output map of visible areas answering the question of what areas of a landscape are visible from an observer point.

Below is my recap of my learning progress from the Esri courses relating to this week's modules and topics.

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Introduction to 3D Visualization 

In the first part of this course, I learned that you could link 2D and 3D views so you can view each side by side at the same time using the new vertical tab group. I found it neat that wherever you navigate in the simultaneous view, it will correspond in both maps.  

Part 2 of this course, we get to work with a more detailed 3D map. I learned there are three categories for categorizing 3D data. While in ArcGIS pro I learned a new tool using the bookmark tab for a more realistic, close, 3D views. 

Part 3 of this course, I learned how to convert a 2D map into a 3D map. Who knew it was so simple? I also learned how to set an extrusion type by using tools found in the extrusion section under the appearance tab. All the tools found in the extrusion section were new to me, so it was helpful to work with an exercise to become more familiar with them.

Part 4 of this course I learned how to apply visual effects to a 3D map. During the exercise I edited 3D symbiology. Editing symbology was already familiar to me so this section was mostly a refresher. However, I did not realize ArcGIS has so many 3D options to choose from for 3D symbology visualization. I also learned how to add shadows and illumination effects to a 3D map for a more realistic touch.

Overall, I enjoyed this course! Since I started taking GIS classes at UWF I have been so interested in learning more about 3D maps.

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Performing Line of Sight Analysis

The purpose of this assignment is to determine, and learn, the line of sight for security purposes of a parade route in the city of Philadelphia. Before beginning the ArcGIS part of this exercise while reading the lecture portion, I learned 2 new terms during this exercise that became important knowledge to know throughout the assignment. Those two terms are first vertex (the observer) and last vertex (the target). During the course of the assignment, I used a few new tools to create the line-of-sight analysis such as Construct Sight Lines (3D Analyst Tool), Line of Sight (3D Analyst Tool), and Add Z (3D Analyst Tool). Prior to this assignment I have never heard of, much less, used these tools before. So, to have a step-by-step guide to learn how to use these tools and what they do was extremely helpful. The first photo represents visibility from the two observers with a maximum ability of 1,100 feet. The second photo represents visibility from the two observers with a reduced maximum visibility of 600 feet. 

Last, I felt a little more familiar with the concept of a model builder from a prior class. With a little prior knowledge learned earlier this summer in GIS Programming I had to ability to read the model builder fluently and know the processes.

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Performing Viewshed Analysis in ArcGIS Pro 

In this exercise we used the viewshed tool to see all the visible lighting for a campground. The goal of this exercise was to see that most of the campground areas are illuminated by three out of four lights. During the exercise we see how much of a difference of illumination we get from three meters to ten meters height increase. We see that increasing to 10m gives the illumination results we were hoping for, as the picture below illustrates.

Learning how to use the viewshed tool and the raster functions were new to me. Before this module I have never heard of these two tools prior, and it was nice to see how they are useful. Overall, the viewshed tool was simple to use and the results from the raster function were simple to interpret. I understand now how these two tools go together with one another to deliver the results we were looking for in this exercise. 

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Sharing 3D Content Using Scene Layer Packages 

In this module we I learned how to alter 2D layers into 3D layers and publish & share 3D data.  While working on this section it was a good reminder to always maker sure your licensing agreements are always on. This was helpful and brought me back to Intro to GIS learning how to share GIS publicly. Something different with this assignment in comparison to other assignments I've done is we used the global scene map. I have not done many assignments with this type of map so this was something new to learn.