ArcMap

Bands From Raster

Summary

Creates an elevation bands feature class from a Digital Terrain Elevation Data (DTED) raster dataset. The resulting feature class is used by the Elevation Guide Bar surround element to display the high and low elevation areas on a Topographic Map (TM) using a series of hypsometric gray bands.

There can be two, three, or four bands per map sheet. The number of bands that display will depend on the difference between the high and low elevation and the contour interval in the map sheet, with the following designations:

  • Two bands—Low and High
  • Three bands—Low, Medium, and High
  • Four bands—Low, Medium, High, and Highest

Contour intervals can be 10, 20, or 40 meters by default. If no area of interest (AOI) features are selected, the bands will be calculated for the extent of the raster dataset.

Usage

  • If the area of interest (AOI) is spread across multiple raster dataset cells, you will have to specify all the cells.

  • The optional AOI feature class parameter is used to define the map extents.

  • The AOI field parameter must be the map sheet name or a unique identifier for each map sheet.

  • The Input Hydro Exclusion Features parameter (in_hydro_exclusion_feature in Python) is used for large water bodies and coastal areas that would significantly alter the area of the elevation bands.

Syntax

BandsFromRaster(in_raster, contour_interval, out_feature_class, {in_aoi_features}, {in_aoi_field}, {in_hydro_exclusion_features})
ParameterExplanationData Type
in_raster

The input raster dataset.

Raster Layer
contour_interval

Contour intervals with default value options of 10, 20, and 40.

Long
out_feature_class

The output elevation guide band feature class.

Feature Class
in_aoi_features
(Optional)

The optional area of interest feature class to be used in lieu of the current data frame extent to define the map extents.

Feature Layer
in_aoi_field
(Optional)

Field containing a unique identifier for each map sheet.

Field
in_hydro_exclusion_features
(Optional)

Used to define large water body areas that need to be excluded from the elevation band area calculations.

Feature Layer

Code sample

BandsFromRaster example (stand–alone script)

The following stand-alone script demonstrates how to use the BandsFromRaster tool.

# Name: BandsFromRaster_Example.py
# Description: Creates a raster and executes the BandsFromRaster tool.
# Requirements: Esri Production Mapping and Spatial Analyst

import arcpy
arcpy.CheckOutExtension("foundation")

# variables used by gp tools
cellSize='0.0005'
cellType="MAXIMUM_LENGTH"
contourField="elevation"
contourL = "TopographicMap/ContourL"
priorityFld='NONE'
raster = "contour_raster"
rasBnds = "raster_bands"
workspace="c:/data/Austin.gdb"

# set gp environment
arcpy.env.workspace=workspace
arcpy.env.overwriteOutput = True

# Bands from Raster requires a Raster - use the PolylineToRaster tool to
# create a raster from the Austin.gdb sample data
arcpy.PolylineToRaster_conversion(contourL,contourField, raster, cellType, priorityFld, cellSize)

# execute Bands From Raster using the contours raster
arcpy.BandsFromRaster_production(raster, "10", rasBnds)

Environments

Licensing information

  • ArcGIS Desktop Basic: No
  • ArcGIS Desktop Standard: Requires Production Mapping and Spatial Analyst
  • ArcGIS Desktop Advanced: Requires Production Mapping and Spatial Analyst

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