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Create Mosaic Dataset

Summary

Create an empty mosaic dataset in a geodatabase.

Usage

  • The mosaic dataset must be created in a geodatabase.

  • Once the mosaic dataset is created, you can use the Add Rasters to Mosaic Dataset tool to populate it with rasters.

  • The name of the mosaic dataset must keep within the limits of the geodatabase or underlying database. For example, the name cannot start with a number.

Syntax

CreateMosaicDataset_management (in_workspace, in_mosaicdataset_name, coordinate_system, {num_bands}, {pixel_type}, {product_definition}, {product_band_definitions})
ParameterExplanationData Type
in_workspace

The path to the geodatabase.

Workspace
in_mosaicdataset_name

Name the mosaic dataset you are creating.

String
coordinate_system

The coordinate system for all of the items in the mosaic dataset.

Spatial Reference
num_bands
(Optional)

The number of bands that the raster datasets in the mosaic dataset will have.

Long
pixel_type
(Optional)

Set the bit depth, or radiometric resolution, of the mosaic dataset. If not defined, it will be taken from the first raster dataset.

  • 1_BIT —A 1-bit unsigned integer. The values can be 0 or 1.
  • 2_BIT —A 2-bit unsigned integer. The values supported can be from 0 to 3.
  • 4_BIT —A 4-bit unsigned integer. The values supported can be from 0 to 15.
  • 8_BIT_UNSIGNED —An unsigned 8-bit data type. The values supported can be from 0 to 255.
  • 8_BIT_SIGNED —A signed 8-bit data type. The values supported can be from -128 to 127.
  • 16_BIT_UNSIGNED —A 16-bit unsigned data type. The values can range from 0 to 65,535.
  • 16_BIT_SIGNED —A 16-bit signed data type. The values can range from -32,768 to 32,767.
  • 32_BIT_UNSIGNED —A 32-bit unsigned data type. The values can range from 0 to 4,294,967,295.
  • 32_BIT_SIGNED —A 32-bit signed data type. The values can range from -2,147,483,648 to 2,147,483,647.
  • 32_BIT_FLOAT —A 32-bit data type supporting decimals.
  • 64_BIT —A 64-bit data type supporting decimals.
String
product_definition
(Optional)

Select a template that is either specific to the type of imagery you are working with, or is generic. The generic options are as follows:

  • None —No band ordering is specified for the mosaic dataset. This is the default.
  • NATURAL_COLOR_RGB —Create a three-band mosaic dataset, with red, green, and blue wavelength ranges. This is designed for natural color imagery.
  • NATURAL_COLOR_RGBI —Create a four-band mosaic dataset, with red, green, blue and near infrared wavelength ranges.
  • FALSE_COLOR_IRG —Create a three-band mosaic dataset, with near infrared, red, and green wavelength ranges.
  • VECTOR_FIELD_UV —Create a mosaic dataset displaying two variables.
  • VECTOR_FIELD_MAGNITUDE_DIRECTION —Create a mosaic dataset displaying magnitude and direction.
  • DMCII_3BANDS —Create a three-band mosaic dataset using the DMCII wavelength ranges.
  • FORMOSAT-2_4BANDS —Create a four-band mosaic dataset using the FORMOSAT-2 wavelength ranges.
  • GEOEYE-1_4BANDS —Create a four-band mosaic dataset using the GeoEye-1 wavelength ranges.
  • IKONOS_4BANDS —Create a four-band mosaic dataset using the IKONOS wavelength ranges.
  • KOMPSAT-2_4BANDS —Create a four-band mosaic dataset using the KOMPSAT-2 wavelength ranges.
  • LANDSAT_6BANDS —Create a six-band mosaic dataset using the Landsat 5 and 7 wavelength ranges from the TM and ETM+ sensors.
  • LANDSAT_8BANDS —Create an 8-band mosaic dataset using the LANDSAT 8 wavelength ranges.
  • LANDSAT_MSS_4BANDS —Create a four-band mosaic dataset using the Landsat wavelength ranges from the MSS sensor.
  • PLEIADES-1_4BANDS —Create a four-band mosaic dataset using the PLEIADES-1 wavelength ranges.
  • QUICKBIRD_4BANDS —Create a four-band mosaic dataset using the QuickBird wavelength ranges.
  • RAPIDEYE_5BANDS —Create a five-band mosaic dataset using the RapidEye wavelength ranges.
  • SPOT-5_4BANDS —Create a four-band mosaic dataset using the SPOT 5 wavelength ranges.
  • SPOT-6_4BANDS —Create a four-band mosaic dataset using the SPOT-6 wavelength ranges.
  • WORLDVIEW-2_8BANDS —Create an eight-band mosaic dataset using the WorldView-2 wavelength ranges.
  • WORLDVIEW-3_8BANDS —Create an eight-band mosaic dataset using the WorldView-3 wavelength ranges.
  • CUSTOM —Define the number of bands and the average wavelength for each band.
String
product_band_definitions
[Band Name {Wavelength Minimum} {Wavelength Maximum},...]
(Optional)

Edit the product_definition by adjusting the wavelength ranges, changing the band order, and adding new bands when using the CUSTOM product definition.

Value Table

Code sample

CreateMosaicDataset example 1 (Python window)

This is a Python sample for CreateMosaicDataset.

import arcpy
arcpy.CreateMosaicDataset_management(
     "C:/workspace/CreateMD.gdb","mosaicds", 
     "C:/workspace/World_Mercator.prj", "3", 
     "8_BIT_UNSIGNED", "False Color Infrared", "#")
CreateMosaicDataset example 2 (stand-alone script)

This is a Python script sample for CreateMosaicDataset.

#Create 3-Band FGDB Mosaic Dataset

import arcpy
arcpy.env.workspace = "C:/Workspace"

gdbname = "CreateMD.gdb"
mdname = "mosaicds"
prjfile = "C:/Workspace/World_Mercator.prj"
noband = "3"
pixtype = "8_BIT_UNSIGNED"
pdef = "NONE"
wavelength = ""

arcpy.CreateMosaicDataset_management(gdbname, mdname, prjfile, noband, 
                                     pixtype, pdef, wavelength)

Environments

Licensing information

  • ArcGIS for Desktop Basic: No
  • ArcGIS for Desktop Standard: Yes
  • ArcGIS for Desktop Advanced: Yes

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