How to Make a 3D Diorama in ArcGIS Pro

Here's a way to make those adorable little 3D dioramas that look like a cube sliced out of the earth. They're fun, engaging, and can be really useful.
Here it is as a tutorial blog post: www.esri.com/arcgis-blog/prod...
Check this blog post for some more background and a list of the steps: www.esri.com/arcgis-blog/prod...
Here's how to make an undersea version: • Challenger Deep as a M...
Check out some other social channels where I share how-to's and updates on random map adventures:
adventuresinmapping.com
www.esri.com/arcgis-blog/auth...
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[@ZorkoZerg]

Thanks John! You always manage to show some advanced techniques and yet cater for users with less experience in ArcGIS Pro. Can't wait for underwater diorama.

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

thanks Zorko! yes, the undersea one will be fun. pretty similar, but just different enough to do another video.

[@Josh-jv1oq]

Another glorious creation in ArcPro. You always deliver I really enjoy your videos, they showcase how diverse GIS is

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

hey thanks Joshua!

[@awipfield]

What a fun tutorial! I love learning new work-arounds to basic ArcGIS concepts, like clipping the raster through exporting like you showed! Looking forward to checking out more of your work.

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

thanks Ashley!

[@josecaldas9212]

These are great. I really enjoy making these, and every time I think I've exhausted the possibilities, I come up with a new geographical feature and color scheme to play around with. Thank you for your KZbin tutorials!

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

cool! thanks Jose! i'm having fun with them still, too.

[@teo11300]

I'm loving the ambient background music. Very relaxo

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

thanks, it's called "Drifting at 432 Hz" by Unicorn Heads. got it here: studio.kzbin.info/door/pdwmy5JTFNUkKknxHH9Dsgmusic

[@hamrozjumaev]

Thank you so much John for sharing your astonishing knowledge and experience with us!

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

Thanks, have fun!

[@CraigH999]

Always something new to learn from your videos, John. Thank you!

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

thanks Craig!

[@Adam-wc4xm]

Easy to follow, well organized, and very clear amazing job ♥♥

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

thank you!

[@rpbrady]

I’ve used ArcPro for a while, and find things in your videos I had no idea existed. Thanks for these videos John!

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

Great, thanks!

[@joaquinraggio3195]

I love your tutorials as well as your video editions (magma). Godspeed master John.

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

hey thanks Joaquín!

[@francisehemba9482]

Very nice inspiration John! I'm going to spend my weekend with this beautiful tutorial.

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

Great!

[@CartoRedux]

Liquid hot magma complete with some forced contrast🤣 FYI: if you only want to move one of the Bezier curve handles without affecting the position of the other handle, hold down the ctrl key while you move the handle. Excellent as always!

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

Ah HA! Thanks for the tip that was throwing me off

[@heitorlima3856]

oh man! that was incredible to watch. Congratulations.

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

Thank you!

[@ivanmlai5665]

please never stop sharing your knowledge it's great

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

Thanks!

[@obscureautumnfrost]

The diorama is beautiful. Thank you for using ArcGIS Pro. I work as part of the development team that builds and maintains Pro. I and my team are working on a 3D export to STL or glTF tool inside of Pro that would allow you to 3D print or do something more in other 3D tools like Unreal and Unity. We are excited to see what you can create with the tool! Thanks again for using Pro and creating these wonderful maps!

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

WHAT! that's great news!! thanks for the update and the kind words!

[@Jockbenzie]

Inspirational as always! I think its gonna be an artsy kinda day at work tomorrow....

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

great!!

[@gabrieldurrant7509]

Awesome, thanks John!

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

have fun, Gabriel!

[@simtiaz57]

Excellent demo! Been looking for this exact demo 😀

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

Hey all right that’s great! Thank you.

[@user-ru6sp3nu7m]

Many thanks for your training. It is a long time to find this. I loved it.

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

Thank you! I’d love to see what you make!

[@deninh0]

This is a truly art masterpiece! Amazing Job! Greetings from Brazil!

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

Thanks!

[@Ahmedali_-qd9eg]

Thanks John, it is amazing work.

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

thank you Ahmed!

[@Zephirus10]

Looks so good! thank you for these videos!

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

thanks!

[@TheGeoEngineer]

Thanks John. Learned a lot- had no idea about the tracing at 14min!! I think I could add additional elevation layers (e.g. geology) underneath, and trac between those layer edges. Might try extrusions... Been a while since scene days

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

it's funny what you can get away with by drawing polygons in a layout! yes, in an original one of these things i used it as an illustration of geologic dome weathering, and had a cross-section that i used as the picture fill. have fun!

[@JoseMoreno-vd2cr]

Great lesson. Thank you for the details. In reality, we don't have all that time to make it look as it does in this video. Plus, I tend to go for simplicity, as DaVinci once stated " Simplicity is the highest form of sophistication"

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

yes, a good approach too!

[@qweasdzxc134]

You are an amazing artist!

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

Thanks!

[@logosblueeconomyfoundation6195]

Like the “if you’re feeling extra craft “ tip in the end!

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

Thanks!

[@fredwooten14]

Great John!! Thank you.

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

no problem, have fun!

[@hardroaster11]

Brilliant and mesmerizing sir.. Great work.

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

Thanks!

[@christopherwdunn]

Thank you! I made one for myself. It was a very satisfying project.

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

wonderful! i'd love to see what you made, Christopher!

[@christopherwdunn]

@@JohnNelsonMaps I posted it on X and tagged you.

[@StarshipsSteel]

cool stuff as always.

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

hey thanks!

[@ej_entertain]

Thats a great video, Thank you, John.

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

thanks!

[@movax_71]

So cool. Thank you. I am going to replicate with some Crater rings here in Idaho that we flew with our Drone last year. Should be pretty cool.

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

cool! i'd love to see how it turns out.

[@superduperdil]

Woah. This rocks. Thanks dude!

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

Thanks!

[@claudiovr_96]

Amazing !

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

Thanks!

[@EmadHamdy-pe1cw]

Great , Many Tanks John 👌🏻

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

You bet!

[@martyking3958]

This is great! Thanks, John, I've subscribed, and I'll be checking out your other videos.

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

Fantastic!

[@Boy5638]

You are a beast! Thank u a lot.

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

ha! thanks Roberto! hope this is useful.

[@salahajjur]

Thanks very much for the video. I am wondering: How to arrange several 3D dioramas above each other. I have four subsurface geological layers with different elevations and thicknesses. I dropped each layer into a 3d scene and gave them vertical exaggerations. However, all layers are presented at the same level. Is there a way to assign levels based on top or bottom layer elevations?

[@flashfalcon3081]

Hi John, huge thanks to ur vids for making learning easier... this was quite the creative use of ArcGIS! Was recommended to ur channel by one Adam Grodek and finding out about ur vids were great, love the chill-ness of everything. Thanks! Also if u happen to watch football (soccer) u do look like this player called 'James Maddison' so yeah take that for what u will HAHAHA

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

Thanks! And thanks to Adam Geisel for the recommendation. I will definitely look up Maddison

[@felipepupohernandez]

Loved the tutorial! My workflow usually ends up doing all these kinds of graphic tweaks in photoshop, so I´ve never noticed the possibilities and resources available in the ArcCGIS layout. Regards from Bogotá-Colombia!

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

thank you! the graphical capabilities of gradients and transparencies and blend modes in Pro lets you do all sorts of fun things.

[@eng.aymanahmed6006]

Amazing

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

hey thanks!

[@ebigdaddycool6143]

wow! awesome quite educative

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

Thanks!

[@westampa]

looking forward to bathy. I unfortunately don't come across many opportunities to do cool stuff with topo here in FL.

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

Florida! maybe you'll like this how-to: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoi2poFrhL-EbZY

[@westampa]

@@JohnNelsonMaps awesome 👍 I may need to give this a shot the next time I need to jazz up a map a little more. Thanks!

[@souvikpaul4344]

Sir u are great 👍👍👍🔥🔥 Thank you so much 🔥🔥🔥 lovely and very helpful video 👍

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

thanks Souvik!

[@tamtamzhavanadze2187]

Thank you very much 🥰

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

you bet!

[@fatemehhakimi-bl2nt]

Thank you so much it was great

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

thanks Fatemeh!

[@tm55re]

Awesome walk through! I may have to try this and see if I can figure out how to create an stl file from it so I can print it out on my 3D printer. Unfortunately, that doesn't carry all the great colors with it though.

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

if you do it, keep me posted!

[@kristineshepherdson9286]

Wow

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

Thanks!

[@indirauribevallejos1316]

cool video!

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

Thanks!

[@JuanFox]

That was quick!

[@JuanFox]

Loved the video! I'll give it a try

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

@@JuanFox thanks Juan! i hope to see what you come up with. it's a lot of fun.

[@shroog5130]

Just woow 😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

Thanks!

[@badrmaghrabi]

I love your tutorials, so cool, What is the version of the program, because I can not find layer blend ic version 2.5

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

thanks Dadr! yes, layer blends are available starting with version 2.7, which was released a couple years ago. your license lets you update to the newest versions. but i understand sometimes the IT department can prevent installing newest releases.

[@user-mc7eh6sj2h]

Awesome tutorial!!!!! Is it possible to add vector files on top of the diorama? (i.e. trail paths, points) ?

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

Yes absolutely!

[@firmansyahmaulana7865]

Pretty cool tho, really like your video Thanks

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

Hey, thanks!

[@rnicoletteawlunar]

Thank you for this easy to understand tutorial! Do you also have a video so that I can merge all the layout layers together so I can turn my diorama around and make the bottom polygons on the other side as well? So it can be 3D all around?

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

thanks! this method is a hack, assembled in a layout with graphics manually positioned. this means that the dirt walls aren't geographically aware, so if you rotate the map the dirt walls don't rotate with it. super hacky, but works for a single view.

[@________2705]

very good video John! ... the only thing missing are some happy little clouds )

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

Thanks! Yes some clouds would have been a good idea!

[@________2705]

@@JohnNelsonMaps that was my little Bob Ross reference... your videos are very pleasant to follow... not unsimilar to Bob's show :)

[@cesarsuarezh2176]

One question, I have made these block diagrams in ArcScene and to make the block that you digitize, what I did was create a vector layer that had the same extension of the raster (DEM or satellite imagery) that I was going to use, then I loaded it to arcscene and extruded it in depth with negative values, in this way I would have the complete and dynamic block diagram. Do you know if it is possible to do this in Pro? In the case of wanting to add geometries to those side views, such as a geological section, do you also consider it possible? Thank you very much for your information Jhon. regards

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

ah cool! i've never used ArcScene, so i'm not much help in this regard. i don't think you can do something similar to what you describe in Pro, but perhaps it's possible?

[@steffeo]

Thank you for a great video John, however I come across an issue here: when I switch to global scene, the clip doesnt follow along/full extent of the DEM display. What am I missing here?

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

thanks! i don't know if i fully understand your question. maybe check to see that you have stars and halo uncheched in the 3D map's illumination properties? alternatively, consider making a copy of your clipped DEM and dragging it into the 3D map's "Elevation Services" and uncheck the default one.

[@lydiatampouratzi462]

Hey John! Thanks :) What about TopoBathy? What about deepening bathymetry layers, I got really stack on that.

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

Topobathy definitely works too.

[@gabrieltan5686]

Thank you, John! This is really informative! How did you add the polygon for the crater though?

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

That is just a lake shapefile I had laying around

[@gabrieltan5686]

@@JohnNelsonMaps oooooh. Cool. Thanks! 🙂

[@issarsgis9882]

any version this arc gis pro because I haven t the tools vertical exageration

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

Yes any version of Pro should have it. Ensure you have the “ground” layer selected.

[@scottriley7215]

Could this diorama be used to print out a 3D model? Looks like ArcPro doesn't have any usable export formats that would be compatible with 3D printing companies. Hopefully you or someone else has some insight. Great video by the way! Very easy to follow.

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

I don’t know. Does anyone here know?

[@Rannoch85]

Amazing work as always, instead of adding the same colours and gradients to your gravel images twice, can you copy and paste that will keep the same specifics instead of doing the action twice?

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

unfortunately not right now. ideally, you could save it as a style, but right now there's no option for that when styling a layout polygon.

[@gabrielapalacio05]

¿De dónde puedo sacar la imagen para realizar el diorama? Me encanto y me gustaría intentarlo

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

todo se muestra en el video

[@lunalostme7485]

How about if we only have points data? Should we change it to raster data (DEM) first?

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

that's what i would do. using only the raw point spot elevations won't do for this method.

[@Sadforeverr]

Hi John, I am currently a Master's student doing my research on Erosion and I am wondering if you have a tutorial on how to export this as contour lines or 3D mesh ?

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

I don’t yet. But in the meantime try the “contours” option in the raster functions (find them via the Imagery tab)

[@MarkHylas]

Thank you John! I am attempting to create something similar of my local lake in storymap. Do you have any advice on how to upload this to AGOL as a complete 3D object? Or even export it as a OBJ or FBX file type for storymap? When I google around for this, it seems like the only way is through CityEngine license. I hope to create a 3d scene for viewers to rotate around and inspect.

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

this method is for a purely static result. because the dirt curtains on the side are hand drawn, they won't rotate with the scene. there are probably ways to make actual 3D downwardly-extruding walls, which will give you more flexibility...but they won't look as good. i've been meaning to look into it.

[@MarkHylas]

@@JohnNelsonMaps Thank you for your feedback 🙏. I may attempt this without the gravel curtains. I noticed that Arc Pro sometimes does not allow me to share the web layer with any exaggerated mountain features but will play around with this more. Thanks again John.

[@mohamedsaleemmohamednizmy4295]

Hi i was traing to add terrain to map its gives a error cod 403

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

Oh I’m sorry to hear that. Does the error continue?

[@tonyjoffre2909]

I can't remember but I think you made a Lego 2d base map. You can one up yourself and make a 3d one. I think I might give it a go now.

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

cool!

[@hassanaleem2871]

Great work. Can I get to know how I can get this terrain DEM file?

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

That’s exactly the first thing I show in this video.

[@hassanaleem2871]

@@JohnNelsonMaps oh got it. Sorry. I went into the magma a bit quick. Thanks a bunch for your humble response 👍 👌

[@ianfreeman6298]

Great video john! I keep running into this issue lately where making an edit or appearance change of any kind in a global scene causes ArcGIS Pro to stop responding. Every other mapping and layout function works fine, and my computer passes the systems requirements test with flying colors. Ever heard of this issue?

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

Hmmm that’s a bummer. I’m not sure. Sometimes in 3D if have to let Pro just sit and think about stuff. It might depend on the complexity of the data?

[@pratap00091]

Thanks John for making such a wonderful tutorial. learning from i tried making 3-4 dioramas. Making graphic polygon of sides is time consuming and i need to make 350 dioramas. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Something like push pull effect of surface, that extrudes terrain surface automatically.

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

i don't know of a fast way of doing this. but you might look in to voxels.

[@pratap00091]

@@JohnNelsonMaps Thanks John

[@pratap00091]

@@JohnNelsonMaps 3D georeferenced Dioramas could also be made in Surfer- Golden Software. However, I wish if you could find time and just create one tutorial, that infuses your superior imagination and creativity skills. That, is also a great learning part. 🥰

[@luisescalante9841]

wait, how do you get terrain file?

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

this video walks through that.

[@IronHideeGG]

Great content! Is it possible to print this one in 3D printer?

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

Thanks! I’m not familiar with formats for 3D printing yet but it’s something to look into

[@logosblueeconomyfoundation6195]

Love this! Anyway to automate this?

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

Since there’s a layout creation/positioning involved I doubt it. But maybe?

[@soufianeoubdil]

where can I find the DEM (Terrain) ? thanks

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

@@soufianeoubdil is it mentioned in the video? I don’t recall

[@haroungerald5887]

Can you make this with normal ArcGIS software..!?

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

did you watch the video?

[@salmanahmad727]

u are just awsome

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

Very kind of you Syed!

[@salmanahmad727]

@@JohnNelsonMaps the terrain layer has some issue in adding. Please help me in this whats the issue

[@salmanahmad727]

@@JohnNelsonMaps the terrain layer cannt be added to ArcGIS Pro can you please help?

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

@@salmanahmad727 hmmm i'm not sure

[@ibrahimnabil9562]

thanks mr.Johan Could you send me this data so that I can apply with your explanation please?

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

The source is in the video on KZbin

[@yocolyedytekonan6230]

Hi, I am trying to create a cross section with ArcGIS Pro, can you make a tutorial for that?

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

that's something i need to look into! thanks for the suggestion!

[@yocolyedytekonan6230]

I was also wondering if you have ever created a borehole data for a 3D model, I have trying to do it but I am missing something and I can’t put my finger on it.

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

@@yocolyedytekonan6230 no, I’m sorry I haven’t

[@yocolyedytekonan6230]

@@JohnNelsonMaps thank you

[@jedijeffhill]

"I'm going to force some contrast... I've forced too much contrast."

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

it happens! :)

[@justinberke1687]

This slaps.

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

thanks!

[@gisclass2]

What is the difference between 3D diorama and block diagram? Geology?

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

probably no difference, it's just a name i thought up. block diagram would have been better probably!

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

If you'd like to download the source ArcGIS Pro project from this video and reverse engineer it, find it here: www.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=b676d3be5a6948629d2579bd22c373ef

[@user-mb2jj1db4f]

细还是你细

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

双重祝福

[@nathanholman1680]

Next Step: NFT?

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

😅