A geodatabase feature class or table can have one attribute field that contains a raster dataset. Unlike a hyperlink that simply links a feature's attribute field to an image, an attribute field of type Raster stores the raster data within or alongside the geodatabase. For example, you could add a photograph of the commercial property as an attribute of a parcel feature.
Another option for storing photographs and other files in a database is using attachments. Attachments are more flexible than raster attribute fields, because you can add multiple files to a single feature, whereas a raster field allows you to store only one image. In addition, the attached files can be different types, such as images, videos, documents, and so on. Attachments require an ArcGIS for Desktop Standard or ArcGIS for Desktop Advanced license, since they use relationship classes to link the features to the files.
- To add an image to the feature, your feature class needs to have a raster field in it.
- Click the Edit tool
on the Editor toolbar and click the feature.
- Click the Attributes button
on the Editor toolbar.
- Click the attribute field containing the rasters.
- Click the drop-down arrow and click Load.
- Navigate to the location of the input raster dataset and click Add.
- Set the Compression Type and, if applicable, the Compression Quality.
- Click OK.
- Once the raster is loaded as an attribute, you can view and perform other edits on it. Click the drop-down arrow for the raster field select one of the options in the menu.
- Click View to open the raster in a larger window.
- Click Load to load a different image as the raster attribute.
- Click Clear to delete the raster attribute.
- Click Save As to export the raster.
- Click Properties to view and edit the properties of the raster.