EdX

3D GIS (edX)

3D GIS (edX)

Take your maps into the third dimension: Learn GIS concepts and tools to visualize, analyze, and interpret spatial data in 3D. Reveal patterns that can lead to better decision making. Maps are graphic representations of reality and help us understand and navigate the world around us. Maps can incorporate third dimension through contours, hillshading (3D modeling), and profile views.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see EdX's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

In this course you will learn fundamentals of third dimension (3D) GIS concepts and tools to visualize, analyze, and interpret geospatial data in 3D, enabling you to reveal patterns and relationships for more effective problem-solving and decision making.
When the data include the third dimension, ArcGIS Scene allows us to navigate through the data in 3D space. This makes the data and the problem more understandable and reveals new visual insights. Visualizing and processing the data in 3D allows us to include real-world elements in the analysis such as undulation of terrain and 3D extent of trees, building, and subsurface geology.
Our world is three dimensional and many GIS applications now require 3D analysis. Esri’s ArcGIS Scene allows us to visualize data on a world sphere. It provides a variety of tools for orientation, navigation, search, data preparation, building workflows and spatial analysis.
3D mapping and visualization is used in a variety of industries and academic disciplines:

  • Monitoring forest stand height and age
  • Volumetric analysis of resource extraction from a mine or water level in a reservoir
  • Watershed delineation to assess inundation risk, land management, environmental monitoring

This course is part of the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Essentials Professional Certificate.

What you'll learn

  • How to display and navigate 3D data in ArcGIS Scene
  • How to edit and process 3D feature data
  • How to carry out volumetric analysis
  • How to display and process 3D raster Digital Elevation Model data
  • Viewshed and solar radiation analysis
  • Watershed mapping and delineation using Digital Elevation Models
  • Create 3D visualization and presentations
Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Essential Epidemiologic Tools for Public Health Practice (Coursera) Coursera
Johns Hopkins University

Essential Epidemiologic Tools for Public Health Practice (Coursera)

In order to make a difference in the health and well-being of a population, we must understand the burden of all problems and conditions that affect the population, as well as how well our efforts to mitigate these problems are actually working. This course provides you with some essential skills and tools that will enhance your ability to describe and understand the health of your community

Sep 14th 2026
4 Weeks
Geospatial and Environmental Analysis (Coursera) Coursera
University of California, Davis

Geospatial and Environmental Analysis (Coursera)

Apply your GIS knowledge in this course on geospatial analysis, focusing on analysis tools, 3D data, working with rasters, projections, and environment variables. Through all four weeks of this course, we'll work through a project together - something unique to this course - from project conception, through data retrieval, initial data management and processing, and finally to our analysis products.

Mar 18th 2024
4 Weeks
Introduction to Geospatial Technology Using QGIS (Canvas.net) Canvas Network
Del Mar College

Introduction to Geospatial Technology Using QGIS (Canvas.net)

This course provides a rich introduction to the booming technology field of Geographic Information Systems, known as GIS. The GIS industry is exploding at double-digit employment and income numbers and promises employment opportunities well into the future. Students will learn the fundamentals of GIS and how to build digital maps using open source software that allows free unlimited use for private or commercial applications. All data and software required is included in the course.

No sessions available
No Information
Do-It-Yourself Geo Apps (Esri) Esri
Esri

Do-It-Yourself Geo Apps (Esri)

You don’t have to be a software developer to build valuable geo-enabled apps that make your communities smarter and businesses more successful. This course will show you how to combine location and narrative in one application to better communicate and broadcast your story, create custom web applications that solve problems in your community, and build powerful native applications for iOS and Android devices without touching a piece of code.

Jan 26th 2022
4 Weeks
Modellazione digitale 3D: input (POK) Polimi OPEN KNOWLEDGE
Politecnico di Milano

Modellazione digitale 3D: input (POK)

Importare, georeferenziare e gestire, in ambiente CAD, database cartografici e fotogrammetrici. Il programma, di carattere prettamente operativo, si propone di fornire indicazioni pratiche per l’acquisizione e la gestione di cartografia da geoportale, per l’acquisizione e la gestione di dati metrico spaziali acquisiti tramite scansione 3D in ambiente reale, e per la georeferenziazione e integrazione delle informazioni in ambiente CAD.

Available
2 Weeks
Geohealth: Improving Public Health through Geographic Information (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Twente

Geohealth: Improving Public Health through Geographic Information (FutureLearn)

Explore how spatial data and geographic information systems (GIS) can be used to understand and improve public health. The environment in which we live and work can have a profound effect on our health – an effect that is explored by the emerging field of geohealth. This free online course will introduce you to new developments in geohealth, looking at the latest thinking and methods for using spatial data and geographic information systems (GIS) in health settings.

No sessions available
4 Weeks
GIS Applications Across Industries (Coursera) Coursera
University of California, Davis

GIS Applications Across Industries (Coursera)

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is becoming an essential business skill across a variety of different disciplines. In this course, you will explore how GIS skills are commonly applied and used in a variety of industries focusing specifically on: environmental studies, public health, emergency management, and business development. You will be empowered to conduct GIS-based analyses that are commonly used in these areas and benefit from how each industry uses GIS to tackle common analysis needs. Additionally, you will work through a series of hands-on exercises that will improve your knowledge of the advanced analysis capabilities of ArcGIS Pro.

Sep 14th 2026
4 Weeks
Geographical Information Systems - Part 1 (Coursera) Coursera
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Geographical Information Systems - Part 1 (Coursera)

This course is organized into two parts presenting the theoretical and practical foundations of geographic information systems (GIS). Together theses courses constitute an introduction to GIS and require no prior knowledge. By following this introduction to GIS you will quickly acquire the basic knowledge required to create spatial databases and produce high-quality maps and cartographic representations. This is a practical course and is based on free, open-source software, including QGIS.

Sep 14th 2026
5-12 Weeks