Working with Mosaic datasets

The topics in this section cover working with mosaic datasets, an optimized raster data model that is used to manage a large collection of images. Mosaic datasets store references to the raster files. They do not load pixels to the geodatabase, but they can use many raster formats and multiple sensor types. Mosaic datasets can also consume services, such as image services, Web Coverage Service (WCS) capabilities, and cached map services. 

A unique feature of a mosaic dataset is that it stores the operations that will be applied to the rasters, then processes them on the fly. This dynamic processing capability allows you to create multiple products from one data source.