Basics of Raster Data (for ArcGIS 10)

Description

The raster data model is used to represent many types of geographic phenomena and many sophisticated GIS analyses and predictive models rely on raster data. Before you can perform an analysis or create a model, however, you need to understand the fundamental concepts of the raster data model. This course teaches those concepts. You will explore the structure of raster data, learn about different raster formats and why raster data is preferred for certain GIS operations, and how to choose the appropriate type of raster data for a given application.

Who Should Attend

Individuals who have basic knowledge of GIS concepts and ArcGIS software but are new to raster data.

Learn How To

• Describe the structure of raster data.
• Understand the types of geographic phenomena that raster data is typically used to represent.
• List some sources of raster data.
• Examine properties of a raster in ArcMap.
• Adjust raster symbology in ArcMap to aid visual interpretation.
• List common raster data formats and give an example of why you might use each one.

To complete course exercises, you need the following software:

• ArcGIS 10.0 for Desktop (ArcView, ArcEditor, or ArcInfo)

Representing real-world data using data models

• What is vector data?
• What is raster data?
• Which dataset is most appropriate to use?
• Raster or vector dataset?
• Converting between raster and vector datasets
• Explore raster and vector data using ArcGIS

Raster data characteristics

• Grid structure of a raster
• Cell size of a raster
• Determining cell size
• Cell size versus scale
• Locating cells
• Raster bands
• Match the rasters with their corresponding bands
• Raster formats
• Raster attribute table
• Explore raster dataset properties

Obtaining and using raster datasets

• Acquiring rasters using sensors
• Creating rasters from scanning and surveying
• Deriving rasters from vectors or from other rasters
• Using rasters for applications
• Identify ideal raster dataset for a scenario
• Use different types of rasters

Completion of the free course Getting Started with GIS or equivalent knowledge is required.