GIS 5050 Module 6 - 3D Scenic Map

The second portion of this lab assignment was to take a LIDAR dataset and convert it into a DEM [Digital Elevation Model]. This workflow is essentially creating a 3D terrain from information obtained from LIDAR equipment and importing it into ArcGIS Pro. Once this was accomplished, we were able to take the raster images and layers created in the Georeferencing portion of the lab and put them on this digital terrain. The map above was created using the DEM [as opposed to the digital terrains that come in ArcGIS Pro. I chose to use this because the topology of the land looked more accurate than the standard 3D basemap. This portion of the lab slowed my computer down immensely, so I had to be very intentional on the changes I made to the view / layout. I am extremely happy with the final product of this map. The aerial images overlaid very nicely on the DEM, and the orange / red colors used on the buildings / roads provides a nice contrast that draws the viewers eyes straight to the 3D terrain. This portion of the lab was very interesting, but working on this through a virtual desktop was a little frustrating at times [I believe ArcGIS spontaneously shut down four times].