3DD (ArcGlobe 3D Data)

GISBox is a one-stop 3D GIS data editing, conversion and publishing platform that supports editing in multiple GIS formats such as OSGB/GEOTIFF/RVT, converting to 3DTiles/Terrain and publishing.

Introduction

3DD file format is a file format designed for 3D geographic information systems (3D GIS) to store 3D scene data. 3DD files are usually generated by GIS software (such as Esri’s ArcGIS Pro) and are a special format that integrates 3D geographic spatial information, model data, and related metadata. It can effectively support 3D visualization, spatial analysis, and scene management, and is an important tool for 3D GIS and virtual reality (VR) applications. The core advantage of 3DD files lies in their efficient organization and management of 3D geographic data, which is suitable for complex urban modeling, environmental simulation, and spatial analysis scenarios.

File Structure

Geometric data: including geometric information of 3D point clouds, lines, surfaces and volumes, used to represent the shape and location of geographic objects.
Texture data: supports high-resolution maps and material information to enhance the visual effect of 3D models.
Attribute data: stores descriptive data associated with 3D objects, such as the name, height or function of a building.
Metadata: records the projection information, creation tool, timestamp, etc. of the file to facilitate data sharing and management.

Pros

1. Efficient integration: It can integrate geometric data, attribute information, textures, etc. into one file, which is convenient for data organization and storage.

**2. Powerful visualization capabilities: **It supports complex 3D scene rendering, including dynamic lighting effects, texture mapping and transparency adjustment, providing users with a realistic visualization experience.

3. Spatial analysis support: It supports advanced spatial analysis functions such as 3D distance measurement, volume calculation, and visual range analysis, which is suitable for engineering design and urban planning.

**4. High compatibility: **It supports interoperability with multiple industry standard formats (such as OBJ, FBX, LAS) to facilitate data exchange and sharing.

**5. Flexible scalability: **It can combine geographic reference information with time dimension to support four-dimensional scene modeling and dynamic simulation.

Cons

1. Large file size: Due to the storage of multi-dimensional data (such as high-resolution textures and geometric details), 3DD files are often large in size and have high requirements for storage and transmission.

2. Strong software dependence: Mainly generated and used by proprietary GIS software, open source tools have limited support for them, which may lead to limited application.

3. High learning cost: Due to the involvement of 3D modeling, GIS data processing and other technologies, mastering and using 3DD files requires a certain technical background.

4. High hardware performance requirements: Rendering complex 3D scenes requires strong computing power, and high requirements for graphics card and processor performance.

Application Scenario

The 3DD file format plays an important role in three-dimensional GIS and virtual reality applications, and is widely used in urban planning, architectural design, environmental monitoring, emergency response, traffic management, and cultural heritage protection.