Google Earth

For Module 12, we created a kmz file from our Module 10 Dot Density map for Google Earth and created a tour of Miami, Ft Lauderdale, St Petersburg, and Tampa, FL. Google Earth is an interactive 3D representation of Earth based on satellite imagery. Data can be uploaded into Google Earth and saved as a kml file that is accessible by any ESRI, KML, and Google Earth client. It is a simple way for users who lack GIS knowledge to access geographic data. To create the kmz file, I converted the appropriate features, Surface Waters and Florida Counties, to KML. To prevent ArcPro from crashing, I had to add an attribute field POP10000 on the dot density layer and calculate the field by using the Python expression: !Sheet0_Population!/10000. Once the new field was calculated, I used the Create Random Points tool for the dot density feature class. Then I ran the Layer to KML. I adjusted the legends for the features and dot density in ArcPro and used the snipping tool to save each image and added the image overlay into Google Earth. For the tour, I created placemarks for each location. I created the tour by recording each placemark and zooming in and around the area for an in depth view of the 3D buildings.

3D Mapping

For Module 11, I completed numerous Esri exercises about 3D mapping and converted a 2D map to a 3D scene. 3D view consists of four main elements: surfaces, textures, features, and marginalia and effects. This will include ground surface, aerial imagery/cartographic maps, relative to ground features/know their own absolute z's, and reference aids/atmospheric effects. They can be represented as photorealistic (real world) or cartographic (representative). 3D maps are powerful tools for a user because they are immersive and eye-catching.  Below is the 2D map that was converted to a 3D scene of Downtown Boston. There are two applications of the 3D building layer. The buildings polygons are extruded by height value to create 3-dimensional building shapes. This enables the viewer to visually focus on a specific area and to view the buildings from different perspectives as well as compare building heights. A map user could also focus on a single building and examine the shadow effects and sun exposure and its surrounding landscape.