An overview of the Image Classification toolbar

Available with Spatial Analyst license.

The Image Classification toolbar provides a user-friendly environment for creating training samples and signature files for supervised classification. It also serves as a centralized location for performing both supervised classification and unsupervised classification. An ArcGIS Spatial Analyst extension license is required to use the tools on this toolbar.

The image below shows the toolbar:

The toolbar contains interactive tools for creating training samples and signature files. Some commonly used classification tools from the Multivariate toolset of the Spatial Analyst toolbox are also exposed through this toolbar.

Functions of the tools and buttons

The table below shows tools and buttons available on the toolbar:

	Training Sample Manager	Opens Training Sample Manager.
	Clear Training Samples	Removes all training samples and begins a new supervised classification session.
	Training Sample Drawing Tools	Draws new training samples in the display. There are three ways to create training samples: as polygons, as rectangles, and as circles.
	Select Training Sample	Selects training samples in the display.

Commands in the Classification drop-down list

The table below shows the classification commands that are accessible from the Classification drop-down list.

Interactive Supervised Classification	N/A	Automatically classifies the selected image layer using training samples from Training Sample Manager (without using a signature file) with a quick preview of the result. There must be at least two training samples present for this option to be available.
Maximum Likelihood Classification	Maximum Likelihood Classification tool	Opens the geoprocessing tool that performs supervised classification on an input image using a signature file.
Iso Cluster Unsupervised Classification	Iso Cluster Unsupervised Classification tool	Opens the geoprocessing tool that performs unsupervised classification on an input image.
Class Probability	Class Probability tool	Opens the geoprocessing tool that performs class probability analysis on an input image using a signature file.
Principal Components	Principal Components tool	Opens the geoprocessing tool that performs principal component analysis on an input image.

Tools for creating training samples

In the training sample drawing tools, the drop-down list provides three ways to draw the samples, as polygons, rectangles, or circles.

	Draw Polygon	Draws a training sample with a polygon shape. Click on each vertex of the polygon, and double-click when done.
	Draw Rectangle	Draws a training sample with a rectangle shape. Click and hold the mouse button to drag out the rectangle shape for the training sample area. Release the mouse button when done.
	Draw Circle	Draws a training sample with a circle shape. Click and hold the mouse button to specify the center of the circle, and drag out the radius of the training sample area. Release the mouse button when done.
	Select Segment	Use a segmented image to create training sites. Double-click on a segment to add it to the training sample manager. Zoom to a 1:1 view for best results. Because segments are drawn at screen resolution, if you are zoomed out beyond 1:1, your training sites may overlap other unintended features.