Working with ArcGIS Spatial Analyst for Geospatial Intelligence

ArcGIS Spatial Analyst software is used by law enforcement, defense, intelligence, and other agencies to support decision making and manage responses to potential threat events. This course teaches how to use ArcGIS Spatial Analyst to create and prepare raster data for use in spatial models. You learn basic raster concepts and become familiar with the ArcGIS Spatial Analyst tools for creating models. You also learn how to display data using ArcGIS 3D Analyst software visualization tools. Course examples and exercises use scenarios related to intelligence and security issues. The course includes a one-day, scenario-based team exercise in which you build a spatial decision model to help answer questions about recent intelligence information.

This course is designed for experienced ArcGIS users who want to conduct raster-based analysis for security, defense, and intelligence applications.

Those completing this course will be able to

• Navigate the ArcGIS Spatial Analyst interface.
• Understand basic concepts of the raster data model.
• Convert data to raster format and build raster databases.
• Use map algebra functions.
• Create distance models.
• Interpolate surfaces from sample points.
• Understand and apply basic modeling concepts.
• Create general threat rating and vulnerability maps.
• Create a spatial decision model for analysis of a potential threat event.
• Display spatial data in three dimensions using ArcScene and ArcGlobe.

• Raster data and ArcGIS Spatial Analyst: Why raster?; Discrete and continuous data; ArcGIS raster tools and capabilities; ArcGIS Spatial Analyst; Map algebra and the Raster Calculator.
• Raster concepts: Input and output formats; Grid data model; Raster coordinate systems; Raster generalization; NGA data formats and coordinate systems; Registration and georeferencing; Cell coincidence; Resampling; Zones and regions; Grid attributes; Analysis environment; Setting projection, cell size, extent, and mask.
• Map algebra: Language components; Syntax and rules; Objects; Operators; Commands; Functions.
• Building a raster database: Data management and storage; Locating data; Data conversion; Raster processing; Storage; Georeferencing process; Setting links; Assessing accuracy; Saving the transformation; Projecting rasters.
• Surface creation: Sampling methods; Creating continuous surfaces; Interpolation; Density surfaces in GIS; Interpolators (Inverse Distance Weighted, Spline, Trend, Kriging); PointInterp.
• Topographic analysis: Data sources; Surface conversion; Contouring; Derive slope; Derive aspect; Curvature; Hillshade; Visibility analysis; Controlling visibility in a viewshed.
• Hydrologic modeling (optional): Creating hydrologically correct topographic surfaces; Processing flow; Identifying and filling sinks; Flow direction; Stream networks; Drainage basins; Flow length; Tracing raindrops.
• Distance tools: Euclidean distance, direction, and allocation; Weighted distance inputs, cost distance, cost path, and corridors.
• Building models: Types of models; Binary suitability; Weighted suitability; Methodology; Defining the model; Developing measures and weights; Reclassifying layers into suitability; Weighting and combining the layers; Postprocessing the output.
• Security threat exercise: Description; Relevant concepts; Analysis environment; CON function; POW function; Creating the risk surface; New intelligence; Building a viewshed; Controlling visibility in the viewshed; Euclidean distance; Weighted distance; Finding paths; Setting the analysis mask.
• Presenting results: ArcGIS 3D Analyst; 3D data; Creating 3D data; ArcScene navigation; Displaying 3D data; Scene properties; Layer properties; TIN symbology.

Students should have completed Introduction to ArcGIS for Geospatial Intelligence and Law Enforcement or Learning ArcGIS Desktop or have equivalent knowledge.

This course is designed to work with the following software:

How do I know what ArcGIS Desktop software I have? [Flash] [Text]