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About ArcGIS Spatial Analyst
ArcGIS Spatial Analyst provides a broad range of powerful spatial modeling and analysis features. You can create, query, map, and analyze cell-based raster data; perform integrated raster/vector analysis; derive new information from existing data; query information across multiple data layers; and fully integrate cell-based raster data with traditional vector data sources.
With ArcGIS Spatial Analyst, you can perform a variety of analyses such as:
- Derive new information from existing data
- Find suitable locations
- Identify the best path between locations
- Perform distance and cost-of-travel analyses
- Perform statistical analysis based on the local environment, small neighborhoods, or predetermined zones
- Interpolate data values for a study area based on samples
- Clean up a variety of data for further analysis or display
The following graphic shows outputs derived from an elevation raster using the ArcGIS Spatial Analyst extension:
For more information on Spatial Analyst, see A quick tour of Spatial Analyst.
Spatial Analyst geoprocessing tools
Spatial Analyst functionality is exposed in a number of geoprocessing tools, enabling you to automate your Spatial Analyst workflows. If you need to perform the same operation on multiple inputs, or run a sequence of operations to model and analyze a complex spatial relationship, you can automate your workflow by running geoprocessing tools inside a model or a script or a custom application written in a programming language of your choice. Spatial Analyst geoprocessing tools are located in the Spatial Analyst toolbox.
For more information about Spatial Analyst geoprocessing tools, see Accessing the Spatial Analyst toolbox.
For more information on how to run a geoprocessing tool, see How to run a geoprocessing tool.
Spatial Analyst objects
Spatial Analyst functionality is also exposed in a number of ArcObjects in three different libraries. Most of the methods in these objects have corresponding geoprocessing tools that perform the same operation. Running a geoprocessing tool to perform an analysis operation requires less coding in most cases than executing a method of a Spatial Analyst object.
For more information on Spatial Analyst objects, see Performing a spatial analysis operation using objects.
| Development licensing | Deployment licensing |
|---|---|
| ArcGIS Desktop Basic: Spatial Analyst | ArcGIS Desktop Basic: Spatial Analyst |
| ArcGIS Desktop Standard: Spatial Analyst | ArcGIS Desktop Standard: Spatial Analyst |
| ArcGIS Desktop Advanced: Spatial Analyst | ArcGIS Desktop Advanced: Spatial Analyst |