Change Terrain Resolution Bounds (3D Analyst)
Summary
Changes the pyramid levels at which a feature class will be enforced for a given terrain dataset.
Usage
- Pyramid resolution bounds can only be assigned for surface types that are not designated as masspoints. 
- 
Consider adjusting the resolution bounds for a terrain feature when new pyramids are introduced or its current range provides undesirable display performance. 
- 
The terrain dataset will not be invalidated from this operation and will not need to be rebuilt with the Build Terrain tool. 
Syntax
| Parameter | Explanation | Data Type | 
| in_terrain | The input terrain dataset. | Terrain Layer | 
| feature_class | The feature class referenced by the terrain that will have its pyramid-level resolutions modified. | String | 
| lower_pyramid_resolution (Optional) | The new lower pyramid-level resolution for the chosen feature class. | Double | 
| upper_pyramid_resolution (Optional) | The new upper pyramid-level resolution for the chosen feature class. | Double | 
| overview (Optional) | Specifies whether the feature class will contribute to the overview of the terrain dataset. 
 | Boolean | 
Code Sample
The following sample demonstrates the use of this tool in the Python window:
import arcpy
from arcpy import env
arcpy.CheckOutExtension('3D')
env.workspace = 'C:/data'
arcpy.ChangeTerrainResolutionBounds_3d('sample.gdb/featuredataset/terrain', 
                                     'breaklines', 2.5, 7.5)
The following sample demonstrates the use of this tool in a stand-alone Python script:
'''****************************************************************************
Name: Update Terrain
Description: This script demonstrates how to update a terrain dataset 
             with new elevation measurements obtained from Lidar by
             importing LAS files to multipoint features, then appending the
             new points to another multipoint feature that participates in a
             terrain. The terrain's pyramids are modified to optimize its 
             draw speed.
****************************************************************************'''
# Import system modules
import arcpy
from arcpy import env
import exceptions, sys, traceback
try:
    arcpy.CheckOutExtension("3D")
    
    # Set environment settings
    env.workspace = "C:/data"
    # Set Variables
    inTerrain = "sample.gdb/featuredataset/terrain"
    currentPts = "existing_points"
    lasFiles = ['las/NE_Philly.las',
                'las/NW_Philly.las']
    newPts = 'in_memory/update_pts'
    # Define spatial reference of LAS files using factory code
    # for NAD_1983_StatePlane_Pennsylvania_South
    lasSR = arcpy.SpatialReference()
    lasSR.factoryCode = 2272
    lasSR.create()
    
    arcpy.AddMessage("Converting LAS files to multipoint features...")
    arcpy.ddd.LASToMultipoint(lasFiles, newPts, 1.5, 2, 1, 
                              'INTENSITY', lasSR)
    
    arcpy.AddMessage("Appending LAS points to {0}..."\
                     .format(currentPts))
    arcpy.AppendTerrainPoints_3d(inTerrain, currentPts, newPts)
    
    arcpy.AddMessage("Changing terrain pyramid reference scales...")
    arcpy.ddd.ChangeTerrainReferenceScale(inTerrain, 1000, 500)
    arcpy.ddd.ChangeTerrainReferenceScale(inTerrain, 2500, 2000)
    
    arcpy.AddMessage("Adding terrain pyramid level...")
    arcpy.ddd.AddTerrainPyramidLevel(inTerrain, "", "4 4500")
    
    arcpy.AddMessage("Changing pyramid resolution bounds for breaklines...")
    arcpy.ChangeTerrainResolutionBounds_3d(inTerrain, "breaklines", 5, 4)
    
    arcpy.AddMessage("Building terrain...")
    arcpy.ddd.BuildTerrain(inTerrain)
    
    arcpy.AddMessage("Completed updates.")
except arcpy.ExecuteError:
    print arcpy.GetMessages()
except:
    # Get the traceback object
    tb = sys.exc_info()[2]
    tbinfo = traceback.format_tb(tb)[0]
    # Concatenate error information into message string
    pymsg = "PYTHON ERRORS:\nTraceback info:\n{0}\nError Info:\n{1}"\
          .format(tbinfo, str(sys.exc_info()[1]))
    msgs = "ArcPy ERRORS:\n {0}\n".format(arcpy.GetMessages(2))
    # Return python error messages for script tool or Python Window
    arcpy.AddError(pymsg)
    arcpy.AddError(msgs)
finally:
    arcpy.CheckInExtension("3D")