ArcMap

Diff

Available with Spatial Analyst license.

Summary

Determines which values from the first input are logically different from the values of the second input on a cell-by-cell basis.

If the values on the two inputs are different, the value on the first input is output. If the values on the two inputs are the same, the output is 0.

Illustration

Diff illustration
OutRas = Diff(InRas1, InRas2)

Usage

  • Two inputs are necessary for this logical evaluation to take place.

  • The order of inputs is relevant for this tool.

  • If both inputs are integer, the output will be an integer raster; otherwise, it will be a floating-point raster.

  • See Analysis environments and Spatial Analyst for additional details on the geoprocessing environments that apply to this tool.

Syntax

Diff (in_raster_or_constant1, in_raster_or_constant2)
ParameterExplanationData Type
in_raster_or_constant1

The input to which the second input will be compared.

A number can be used as an input for this parameter, provided a raster is specified for the other parameter. To be able to specify a number for both inputs, the cell size and extent must first be set in the environment.

Raster Layer; Constant
in_raster_or_constant2

The input to which the first input will be compared.

A number can be used as an input for this parameter, provided a raster is specified for the other parameter. To be able to specify a number for both inputs, the cell size and extent must first be set in the environment.

Raster Layer; Constant

Return Value

NameExplanationData Type
out_raster

The output raster.

The values in the output will be either 0 if the two input values are the same, or the first input value if they are not.

Raster

Code sample

Diff example 1 (Python window)

This example performs a difference operation on two Grid rasters and outputs the result as an IMG raster.

import arcpy
from arcpy import env
from arcpy.sa import *
env.workspace = "C:/sapyexamples/data"
outDiff = Diff("degs", "negs")
outDiff.save("C:/sapyexamples/output/outdiff.img")
Diff example 2 (stand-alone script)

This example performs a difference operation on two Grid rasters.

# Name: Diff_Ex_02.py
# Description: Determines which values from the first input are
#              logically different from the values of the second input
#              on a cell-by-cell basis within the Analysis window
# Requirements: Spatial Analyst Extension

# Import system modules
import arcpy
from arcpy import env
from arcpy.sa import *

# Set environment settings
env.workspace = "C:/sapyexamples/data"

# Set local variables
inRaster1 = "degs"
inRaster2 = "negs"

# Check out the ArcGIS Spatial Analyst extension license
arcpy.CheckOutExtension("Spatial")

# Execute Diff
outDiff = Diff(inRaster1, inRaster2)

# Save the output 
outDiff.save("C:/sapyexamples/output/outdiff")

Environments

Licensing information

  • ArcGIS Desktop Basic: Requires Spatial Analyst
  • ArcGIS Desktop Standard: Requires Spatial Analyst
  • ArcGIS Desktop Advanced: Requires Spatial Analyst

Related topics