Build Entire Cities, Not Just Buildings
CityEngine is Esri's procedural 3D city-modeling software. Instead of modeling every building by hand, you write rules that generate an entire urban environment at once. It's used across urban planning, architecture, archaeology, game development, and film (yes, including Disney animation).
What CityEngine Does
CityEngine's core is procedural modeling: define a rule once and apply it across an entire city block, district, or skyline to generate detailed 3D buildings and streetscapes in a fraction of the time hand-modeling would take. Change the rule, and every building governed by it updates automatically, which makes it fast to test design alternatives, show planned changes, or generate multiple scenarios for the same site.
Additional functionalities or benefits
Generate Entire Districts at Once
Dynamic street networks and shape grammars let you lay out and populate whole city blocks procedurally, rather than modeling structure by structure.
Real GIS Data In, Immersive Output Out
Import real-world GIS data to ground your model in an actual place, then export finished scenes to game engines, VR, or the web for interactive, walkable presentations.
Connects to the ArcGIS Platform
Bring in terrain and basemap data from ArcGIS Online, and publish finished 3D scenes back to the cloud for sharing with collaborators or stakeholders.
Getting Set Up Takes a Few Steps
CityEngine runs on Windows or Linux (it isn't available for macOS), and installation involves a license file, not just a download link.
Steps
- Sign in to ArcGIS Online at least once with your UMN Internet ID so a license can be assigned to your account. (Allow up to 30 minutes, though it's usually much faster.)
- Copy the CityEngine installer from U-Spatial's shared network drive to your computer.
- You may need administrator privileges to install. Contact your local IT staff or the Technology Help Desk if you don't have them.
- Close any other Esri products (like ArcGIS Pro) that are running, then launch the installer and follow the on-screen prompts.
- When installation finishes, the CityEngine/ArcGIS Administrator Wizard opens automatically — select CityEngine Named User as the license type.
- Launch CityEngine from the Start menu, expand Your ArcGIS organization's URL, type umn, select Continue, then choose UMN Internet ID and sign in.
Documentation & learning resources
Learn How to Use CityEngine
Esri's official guidelines on getting started with CityEngine.
Explore Getting Started →Connect to a Shared Drive or Network Folder
University IT's guide for accessing the installer location.
Access Network Folder →Training opportunities
Find workshops and tutorials designed to help you build, share and manage spatial data.
External & Vendor Training
Hosted outside of the UMNArcGIS City Engine Tutorials
Build expertise and connect with the ArcGIS CityEngine community
Gentle Intro to Esri CityEngine, Procedural Generation & CGA
Work with Esri's powerful 3D urban modeling tool for creating cities and environments using procedural generation techniques
Esri CityEngine FAQs
Quick answers to what people ask us most about installing and using CityEngine.
Can I install CityEngine on a Mac?
No — Windows or Linux only.
CityEngine isn't available for macOS. Mac users will need a Windows lab computer, Boot Camp, or a virtual machine to run it.
Do I need administrator access to install it?
Usually, yes.
Installing CityEngine typically requires administrator privileges on your computer. If you don't have them, contact your local IT staff or the University's Technology Help Desk before you start.
How long does license activation take?
Usually under 10 minutes, occasionally up to 30.
Once you've signed in to ArcGIS Online with your UMN Internet ID, a CityEngine license is assigned to your account automatically. Most people are ready to go within 10 minutes, though it can occasionally take up to half an hour.
What can I actually use CityEngine for?
Anywhere you need a lot of 3D city at once!
CityEngine shows up in urban planning and architecture (testing design scenarios at the scale of a whole district), archaeology (reconstructing historical sites), and entertainment (building game or film environments). If your project needs a large 3D urban environment rather than a single building, it's worth a look.
Free for the UMN Community
What It Costs
Esri CityEngine is free for University of Minnesota students, faculty, and staff, covered by the University's site license with Esri, using the CityEngine Named User license type.
Esri resources obtained through the University may not be used for commercial purposes. Use is limited to academic, research, and outreach work.
Costs Beyond the University
For those who aren't affiliated with the University, CityEngine is sold only as a subscription bundled into ArcGIS Professional or Professional Plus user types. See Esri's pricing page for up-to-date details.
Ready to Build Your First City?
Follow our installation guide to get CityEngine running on your Windows or Linux computer.