The 3D Analyst extension allows you to display and analyze your 3D data. 3D data means 3D features, rasters, and Triangulated Irregular Networks (TINs). This 3D data contains a z-value. A z-value refers to an attribute other than the horizontal position (for example, projected x and y coordinates). In this chapter, your z-value will represent the normal heights (gravity-related height) expressed in meters.
The particular term height and the general term elevation are used interchangeably in this chapter because some ArcGIS instruments and parameters use the term: elevation. The term elevation means the height above a given level. In particular, our height term means the height above the local mean sea level.
According to the international standard ISO 19111:2007 on geographic information—spatial referencing by coordinates: