Web scene layers with associated feature layers allow you to edit and update your data. Depending on the data you are working with and how you configured the web scene layer, you should use different workflows to edit your data.
Editing is available when sharing a scene layer by reference from an enterprise feature layer or by value as a hosted feature layer. When sharing by reference, the feature class is nonversioned and has archiving enabled.
Web scene layers that are created from a locally cached scene layer package (.slpk) cannot be edited. Instead, you must delete the web scene layer and share it again. For more information on the differences between web scene layers with associated feature layers and those created from scene layer packages, see What is a scene layer.
The editing workflows described in this topic are supported by ArcGIS Enterprise 10.6.1 and higher and ArcGIS Online.
Share an editable web scene layer
If your data requires frequent updates, share a web scene layer with an associated feature layer. ArcGIS Enterprise and ArcGIS Online support editing web scene layers with associated feature layers for 3D object, building and point scene layers.
If you are sharing to an ArcGIS Enterprise portal, it is additionally suggested that your feature data be in an enterprise geodatabase that is registered with a federated server. Although data in a file geodatabase can also be referenced by the associated feature layer, it cannot be edited and you should either move it to an enterprise geodatabase or use the Copy all data option when sharing.
What web layers are editable
| Active portal and data option | ArcGIS Enterprise Reference registered data | ArcGIS Enterprise Copy all data | ArcGIS Online |
|---|---|---|---|
File geodatabase point layer | Noneditable | Editable | Editable |
| Enterprise geodatabase point layer | Editable | Editable | Editable |
| File geodatabase multipatch layer | Noneditable | Editable | Editable |
Enterprise geodatabase multipatch layer | Editable | Editable | Editable |
Revit building layer | Noneditable | Editable | Editable |
File geodatabase building layer | Noneditable | Editable | Editable |
Enterprise geodatabase building layer | Editable | Editable | Editable |
Prepare your data
It is especially important when working with editable web scene layers to ensure that your scene and the layer being shared are in the same coordinate system to prevent shifts in your data or a mismatch in units. For example, if you share a web scene layer that references registered data that is in a projected coordinate system in a global scene, the associated feature layer will be in the projection of your data, while the web scene layer will be in WGS 1984. This is important because edits are saved first in the associated feature layer and then in the web scene layer when it is rebuilt. When you use the Copy all data option, both the web scene layer and the associated feature layer are projected to the scene layer's coordinate system. A unit conversion only occurs if your data has a vertical coordinate system. The following steps outline how to prepare your data if sharing by reference.
- In the Catalog pane, right-click the Databases folder, click New Database Connection, and connect to the enterprise geodatabase.
- Right-click the feature class you want to share by reference in the enterprise database connection and click Manage > Add Global IDs.
A global ID is added to the feature class.
- Right-click the feature class again and click Manage > Enable Archiving.
Archiving is enabled on the feature class.
Share your data
You can share web scene layers either individually or as part of a web scene. The following steps outline sharing an individual web scene layer. For more information about sharing web scenes, see Share a web scene. If you are sharing to ArcGIS Enterprise, share only the web scene layer so you can select Reference registered data; otherwise, you can share the web layer as part of the web scene.
- In the Contents pane, right-click a 3D layer, point to Sharing, and click Share as web layer
. - If your active portal is ArcGIS Enterprise and your data is in an enterprise geodatabase, select Reference registered data.
- Click the Configuration tab and click the configure button
to configure the associated feature layer.- Check Enable editing and allow editors to and specify what types of edits can be made.
- Uncheck Apply default to features with z-values.
It is strongly suggested that you do not apply a default z-value. Client applications that do not support editing z-values, such as Map Viewer, will override your z-values if you make geometry updates. By not including a default z-value, you ensure that all geometry updates are applied through a client application that supports full 3D editing, such as ArcGIS Pro.
Additional considerations for textured 3D object web scene layers
By default, the maximum record count for web feature layers is 2,000. When working with textured 3D object scene layers, it can be helpful to reduce the maximum record count of the associated feature layer to prevent very large data requests and related feature service errors.
Another optimization you can make when working with textured 3D objects is to increase the time-out value for the associated feature layer from the default value of one minute.
View an editable web scene layer
Because web scene layers are cached layers, you may not see the latest edits made to a web scene layer. Whether you have editing permissions on the web scene layer and what type of data was shared determine when you can view edits and how the web scene layer appears in ArcGIS Pro . Edits made to a web scene layer, whether they are applied through the web scene layer or the associated feature layer, are always first stored with the feature layer and then cached after the web scene layer is rebuilt. Only users who have editing capabilities can see the edits stored with the associated feature layer in addition to the web scene layer.
Note:
When viewing an editable web scene layer in ArcGIS Pro, you receive a notification that the web scene layer is editable, and the data may not be up to date. To ensure you are viewing the latest version of the web scene layer, set a refresh interval on the layer in ArcGIS Pro. This can be done through the layer's general properties page.
View an editable web scene layer without editing permissions
As a user without editing permissions, you can view features drawn from the web scene layer. This means that until the web scene layer is rebuilt to include edits performed by others, the edits stored with the associated feature layer are not visible to you. Because ArcGIS Pro displays the attribute table of the associated feature layer, there may be a mismatch between the values seen in the attribute table, the visible features, and their pop-ups until the owner of the scene layer or administrator rebuilds the cache.
View an editable web scene layer with editing permissions
As a user with editing permissions, you also view features drawn from the web scene layer. When working with point web scene layers that reference registered data or any building or 3D object web scene layer, you additionally see edits that are stored with the associated feature layer, even before the web scene layer is rebuilt. In cases of heavy editing, you may notice a decrease in drawing performance as more features are drawn from the associated feature layer instead of the web scene layer.
Note:
If too many features have been edited or you select too many features to edit, a warning appears to rebuild the web scene layer. When too many features have to be drawn from the associated feature layer, performance can decrease and features may stop drawing. In some cases, you may notice errors in drawing or in the attribute table. If this occurs, contact your administrator to restart the feature service and rebuild the web scene layer before continuing to make edits.
To view edits made to point web scene layers with their data copied to the server, the web scene layer must be rebuilt to visualize the edits.
When edits can be viewed
| Active portal and data option | ArcGIS Enterprise Reference registered data | ArcGIS Enterprise Copy all data | ArcGIS Online |
|---|---|---|---|
File geodatabase point layer | Noneditable | Visible after the cache is rebuilt | Visible after the cache is rebuilt |
| Enterprise geodatabase point layer | Visible before the cache is rebuilt from the associated feature layer | Visible after the cache is rebuilt | Visible after the cache is rebuilt |
| File geodatabase multipatch layer | Noneditable | Visible before the cache is rebuilt from the associated feature layer | Visible before the cache is rebuilt from the associated feature layer |
Enterprise geodatabase multipatch layer | Visible before the cache is rebuilt from the associated feature layer | Visible before the cache is rebuilt from the associated feature layer | Visible before the cache is rebuilt from the associated feature layer |
Revit building layer | Noneditable | Visible before the cache is rebuilt from the associated feature layer | Visible before the cache is rebuilt from the associated feature layer |
File geodatabase building layer | Noneditable | Visible before the cache is rebuilt from the associated feature layer | Visible before the cache is rebuilt from the associated feature layer |
Enterprise geodatabase building layer | Visible before the cache is rebuilt from the associated feature layer | Visible before the cache is rebuilt from the associated feature layer | Visible before the cache is rebuilt from the associated feature layer |
Before the web scene layer is rebuilt, new attribute values will not be automatically recognized. For example, if the layer is symbolized using unique values, the newly added value will need to be added manually. Similarly, to use the value in a definition query, it must be manually typed since it will not display in the list of attribute values.