I want to introduce how to use 3D models to create a Story Map. This is something new I learned from my final project, and I find it not only interesting but also a powerful way to combine buildings, images, and text to better convey information.
For example, the Northfield Gems, created by Carleton students, effectively integrates maps and text descriptions, making it easy for first-year students to discover great places to eat in town and their locations. However, this Story Map is based on a 2D map, while I will explain how to create a Story Map using a 3D street map. Although it requires more steps, the final presentation is much more immersive.
For DH research, Story Maps have many advantages. DH projects often need to incorporate maps, text, and explanations, and Story Maps provide an intuitive and concise way to present information visually, making them highly efficient. You can check out this tutorial for more details.
Step 1: Creating a 3D Model
First, we need to select a 2D map that includes building outlines and relevant attributes. If necessary, you can find suitable datasets in Carleton’s ArcGIS Library. Then, open the map in ArcGIS, go to Layer Manager, and select 3D Extrusion, as shown in the image. This step will generate simple 3D building blocks, but their height and color are fixed, making them look quite basic. In the next step, we will refine them for a better appearance.
Step 2: Modifying the 3D Model
Not all buildings have the same height, and using the same color for every building is not ideal for organization and visualization. Manually modeling each building would be too time-consuming, so we can use the built-in attributes of the map to modify the 3D model. Click on a building in the 3D model created in the previous step, and a pop-up window will show the building’s attributes. Here, we can choose an appropriate attribute to adjust the model’s height and color. For example, the number of floors is a good indicator for adjusting the building height, while the building type can be used to assign different colors, making the visualization clearer. This approach makes the Story Map more realistic and informative.
Step 3: Creating Sliders
After completing the 3D model, adjust the viewing angle and zoom level in ArcGIS to find the best perspective for the user. Then, click Slider on the left panel, and at the bottom, select Capture Slide to lock in the current view. The image below shows some of the slides I have already set up, allowing users to smoothly navigate through different perspectives of the 3D map.
Step 4: Building the Story Map
Open Story Map in ArcGIS and select Create Story. In the text editor, choose Add Map, then select the 3D map we just created. Pick one of the saved slides and insert it into the Story Map. Make sure to choose docked or floating as the layout, since the slideshow mode does not provide a great visual effect. By adding multiple slides from the same map, we can achieve the interactive effect described earlier.
Step 5: Enhancing the Story Map
To make the Story Map more visually appealing, we can customize its appearance. The text box can be edited like a regular blog post we are using, allowing us to adjust font size, color, and add images. A useful trick is to insert a top-down 2D map as the first slide, making viewers think the map is flat. Then, in the second slide, switch to the 3D perspective to surprise them and create a dynamic effect.
Link:
Official tutorial: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/collections/d34681ac0d1a417894a3a3d955c6913f
Another tutorial with an example: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/89e6e8ab8b1a43ccb575d86398467c21
Northfield Gems: https://hhfinals.dgah.sites.carleton.edu/northfieldgems/
