Shading the surface in a 3D view

Available with 3D Analyst license.

You can shade layers relative to the position of a light source in ArcScene (and ArcGlobe). Shading can increase the perception of depth in the 3D view and enhance details of the topography.

In ArcScene, shading can be enabled individually for each layer in the document.

Both ArcScene and ArcGlobe have a single configurable light source that is used when shading is enabled. See 3D illumination for more information on setting the properties of the light source for the ArcScene 3D view.

To configure shading for layers in ArcScene:

1. In the table of contents, right-click the layer and click Properties.
2. Click the Rendering tab.
3. Check the Shade aerial features relative to the scene's light position box.

The Use smooth shading where possible option is checked by default. This minimizes the shading of small surface variations to create a smoother looking shaded surface.

4. Click OK.

Tip:

• Turn shading on or off for individual TIN face renderers by clicking the Symbology tab, clicking the TIN face renderer, then checking (or unchecking) the Show hillshade illumination check box.