Changing defaults of a 3D text graphic in ArcGlobe

Available with 3D Analyst license.

You can configure the text properties for new 3D text you want to add to your globe document. Additionally, at any time you can reset the default viewing options and lighting properties. Simply, click Set System Defaults on the Effects Tab inside the Default Text Element Properties dialog box.

To set the default properties for 3D text graphics in ArcGlobe, do the following.

1. Click Graphics on the Globe 3D Graphics toolbar and click Default Element Properties.
2. Click the 3D Text button.
3. Click the 3D Text tab to set default properties, such as font, color, and orientation.
Click Symbol to open the Symbol Selector dialog box and change the symbol style and properties.
4. Click the Effects tab to set additional Viewing Options and Lighting Properties such as:
   • Display as vector - to fix the text graphic to the underlying globe surface, check Pin to surface.
   • Illuminate - check this to shade the graphic elements using lighting settings from the Globe Properties dialog box. Illumination gives a greater sense of depth and realism.
You cannot rasterize or drape a 3D text graphic as an image in ArcGlobe. The 3D text graphic is always drawn as a vector.
5. Click OK on all dialog boxes.

Tip:

• If the 3D text is digitized when in global navigation mode, the orientation of the text is in the XY plane (in other words, parallel to the globe surface such that it faces the viewer). If the 3D text is digitized when in surface navigation mode, the orientation of the text is in the XZ plane (perpendicular to the globe surface such that it faces the viewer).
• The default behavior to pin the 3D text graphic element to the globe surface ensures all new 3D text graphic elements are added on top of the underlying globe surface. To add 3D text to the surfaces other than the globe surface, for example building tops, uncheck Pin to surface.
• Use the What's This button inside the Default Text Element Properties dialog box and click any parameter you want to learn more about.