An overview of the Conversion toolset—ArcMap

Available with 3D Analyst license.

The Conversion toolset provides a wide range of tools for converting various data types, including 3D features, rasters, terrains, TINs, and LAS datasets. 3D models can be imported to a multipatch and used in three-dimensional rendering in ArcScene or ArcGlobe. TIN surfaces can be imported from LandXML files, 3D features can be exported to ASCII files, and lidar data can be imported to a multipoint dataset. Converting between raster and TIN formats allows you to employ the benefits of each while modeling the same surface. For example, use a TIN to model a surface if you have features, such as lines or polygons, that should enforce natural features, such as ridges or valleys. Convert the TIN to a raster using the natural neighbors interpolation option to preserve the linear features and use spatial operators.


Tool	Description
Layer 3D To Feature Class	Exports feature layers with 3D display properties to 3D lines or multipatch features.

From Feature Class


Tool	Description
Feature Class Z To ASCII	Exports 3D features to ASCII text files storing GENERATE, XYZ, or profile data.
Multipatch Footprint	Creates polygon footprints representing the two-dimensional area of multipatch features.

From File


Tool	Description
ASCII 3D To Feature Class	Imports 3D features from one or more ASCII files stored in XYZ, XYZI, or GENERATE formats into a new feature class.
Import 3D Files	Imports one or more 3D models into a multipatch feature class.
LandXML To TIN	This tool imports one or more triangulated irregular network (TIN) surfaces from a LandXML file to output Esri TINs.
LAS To Multipoint	Creates multipoint features using one or more lidar files.
Point File Information	Generates statistical information about one or more point files in a polygon or multipatch output.

From LAS Dataset


Tool	Description
LAS Dataset To TIN	Exports a triangulated irregular network (TIN) from a LAS dataset.

From Raster


Tool	Description
Raster Domain	Constructs a 3D polygon or polyline delineating the height along the boundary of a raster surface.
Raster To Multipoint	Converts raster cell centers into 3D multipoint features whose Z values reflect the raster cell value.
Raster To TIN	Converts a raster to a triangulated irregular network (TIN) dataset.

From Terrain


Tool	Description
Terrain To Points	Converts a terrain dataset into a new point or multipoint feature class.
Terrain To Raster	Interpolates a raster using z-values from a terrain dataset.
Terrain To TIN	Converts a terrain dataset to a triangulated irregular network (TIN) dataset.

From TIN