What is typically stored in 3D GIS data regarding point features?

The accurate representation of point features in 3D GIS data typically includes X, Y, and Z coordinates. The X and Y coordinates denote the horizontal position on a map or spatial plane, while the Z coordinate adds the vertical dimension, providing elevation or depth information. This three-dimensional perspective allows for a more comprehensive visualization and analysis of spatial data, such as terrain elevation, building heights, or any feature that has a vertical component.

In contrast, only storing X and Y coordinates would restrict the point features to a flat, two-dimensional representation, which does not effectively capture the complexities of the real-world structures and topographies. Aerial imagery data, while essential for providing context in GIS, is not the same as the coordinates that define point features. Similarly, descriptive attributes, which provide additional information about the features, are important but do not constitute the foundational spatial data structure that 3D point features require. Thus, the inclusion of X, Y, and Z coordinates in 3D GIS data enables a richer and more effective representation of spatial relationships.