Spatial Analyst

ArcGIS Spatial Analyst is an extension to ArcGIS Desktop that provides powerful tools for comprehensive, raster-based spatial modeling and analysis. Using ArcGIS Spatial Analyst, you can derive new information from your existing data, analyse spatial relationships, build spatial models, and perform complex raster operations.

Self-documenting models make it easy for others to understand the spatial analysis process applied, examine what-if scenarios, and compare results. With ArcGIS Spatial Analyst tools, you can

  • Find suitable locations
  • Calculate the accumulated cost of traveling from one point to another
  • Perform land-use analysis
  • Predict fire risk
  • Analyse transportation corridors
  • Determine pollution levels
  • Perform crop yield analysis
  • Determine erosion potential
  • Perform demographic analysis
  • Conduct risk assessments
  • Model and visualise crime patterns

 

Through its simple yet powerful interface, ArcGIS Spatial Analyst is fully integrated with ArcGIS Desktop and provides more than 150 tools and functions for comprehensive, raster-based spatial analysis.

Suitability Modeling

Use ArcGIS Spatial Analyst to select the best location for a new site.

Surface Analysis

Build and analyse complex surfaces to identify patterns or features.

Distance Analysis

Calculate the cost of travel, cost-weighted distance, least-cost path, and shortest path using ArcGIS Spatial Analyst.

Density Analysis

Calculate a density value for each cell in an output raster.

Solar Analysis

Calculate incoming solar radiation to model and analyse its effects.

Hyrological Analysis

Derive new information from hydrologic and landscape data.

Statistical Analysis

Apply cell, neighborhood, zonal overlay, and multivariate statistical analysis techniques to the modeling of your spatial data.

Map Alegbra

Use map algebra to combine multiple maps, perform suitability analyses, assign weights, and identify relationships.

Scripting & Customisation

Create custom models and analysis functions with ArcGIS Spatial Analyst customisation options.

Graphic Modelling

Use ModelBuilder, a graphic modeling tool, to create advanced procedures and workflows.

Raster Generalisation

Generalise your data to omit unnecessary detail.

 

Can I use ArcGIS Spatial Analyst with other ArcGIS extensions?

Yes. ArcGIS Spatial Analyst integrates seamlessly with other ArcGIS extensions. Complex spatial analysis and visualisation can be performed with a combination of ArcGIS Spatial Analyst, ArcGIS 3D Analyst, and ArcGIS Geostatistical Analyst.

 

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Can I try ArcGIS Spatial Analyst?

You can request a free 60-day trial of ArcGIS Spatial Analyst and other ArcGIS Desktop extensions. If you're not currently an ArcGIS user, you can request a free evaluation DVD that comes with ArcGIS Spatial Analyst.

 

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What kind of data can I use with ArcGIS Spatial Analyst?

ArcGIS Spatial Analyst can do analysis on any raster format supported by ArcGIS as well as any ArcGIS feature theme including ArcInfo coverages. ArcGIS Spatial Analyst also gives you the capability to convert feature classes, such as coverages, shapefiles, geodatabases, CAD files, and Internet data, to raster format for more advanced spatial analysis. ArcToolbox has additional tools that allow conversion of many other data formats into formats that can be used directly by ArcGIS and, therefore, ArcGIS Spatial Analyst.

 

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What is the difference between the ArcGIS Spatial Analyst and ArcGrid extensions?

ArcGIS Spatial Analyst provides, within the ArcGIS environment, an intuitive, graphical user interface to most of the functionality implemented in ArcGrid. One of the advantages ArcGIS Spatial Analyst offers is how easy it is to display and interactively explore raster data. The commands are accessible from menu choices and interactive dialog boxes to expedite and facilitate the processing and analysis of raster data. The ArcGIS Spatial Analyst extension tightly integrates raster and vector data for spatial analysis in ArcGIS.

 

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Can I customise ArcGIS Spatial Analyst?

Yes. ArcGIS Spatial Analyst enables you to create custom tools for spatial modeling and incorporate these tools directly into the ArcGIS interface. Most customization is done with Python for development of custom tools. There is also a fine-grained COM API.

 

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Where can I get more information about the technical issues of ArcGIS Spatial Analyst?

ESRI offers technical support for ArcGIS Spatial Analyst by phone, fax, or e-mail. ESRI also provides self-help resources such as technical notes and discussion forums. For samples, technical documentation, and blogs about Spatial Analyst, please visit the Geoprocessing Resource Center. For the latest ArcGIS documentation, please visit the ESRI Support Center.

 

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Are there any custom sample commands, toolbars, and menus available for ArcGIS Spatial Analyst?

Yes. The Geoprocessing Resource Center provides an array of sample tools and scripts for performing a wide variety of spatial analysis tasks. There are additional resources available on ArcScripts.

 

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