Using the geoprocessing tools

In order to more easily manage the sample collections of elevation data and generate ancillary datasets like slope or aspect, you'll use the geoprocessing tools included in the Managing Elevation workflow to create mosaic datasets. There are three sample projects, labeled sample0, sample1, and sample2.

This topic will walk through the sample1 project. You will create a source mosaic for each elevation dataset in the project, combine all the source mosaics into one derived mosaic, then apply raster function templates to generate products like slope and aspect.

Once you feel comfortable with the workflow, feel free to try your hand at sample0 and sample2.

Create source mosaic datasets

You will use the Source Mosaic Dataset tool included in the downloaded workflow zip file to create one source mosaic dataset to manage each data collection. The parameters for each source mosaic dataset will be set using an xml configuration file.

1. Open ArcGIS Pro. Under Create a new project, select Map.aptx. Name your project something appropriate, like ElevationWorkflow. Click OK.
2. Add the Managing Elevation workflow tools to your project by going to the Insert tab, clicking Toolbox, and selecting Add Toolbox.
3. Navigate to the toolbox at ...ElevationScript\Elevation\scripts\Elevation Tools.pyt and click OK.
4. On the Catalog pane, go to the Project tab and expand Toolboxes > Elevation Tools.pyt to find the workflow tools.
5. Double-click Source Mosaic Dataset to create the first source mosaic dataset for Sample1. Under Configuration File, navigate to ...\ElevationScript\Elevation\Parameter\Config\Sample1\S_GMTED2010.xml. Click Open.
6. Click Run to create your first source mosaic dataset. Repeat the process using the following configuration files (the S_ prefix means that these are used to create source mosaic datasets):
• S_SRTM
• S_USGS_NED1arcsec
• S_USGS_NED13arcsec
• S_USGS19arcsec
• S_WorldZeroElevationBackdrop
7. To view your new mosaic datasets, go to the Map tab and select Add Data > Data. Navigate to ...\ElevationScript\Elevation\MD\Sample1.gdb, select all six datasets, and click OK.
8. On the Contents pane, turn off S_WorldZeroElevationBackdrop. For each layer, go to the Appearance tab and turn DRA on. This will ensure your elevation data is visible when it's rendered. Remove the elevation layers when you are done reviewing them.

Create a derived mosaic dataset

Once you've reviewed your source mosaic datasets and confirmed that they were created successfully, you'll want to create a derived mosaic dataset to manage all your elevation data together.

1. If it's not open already, open ArcGIS Pro. On the Catalog pane, double-click Derived Mosaic Dataset to open the workflow tool.
2. Under Configuration File, navigate to ...\ElevationScript\Elevation\Parameter\Config\Sample1\D_WorldDTM.xml. Click Open. (The D_ prefix of the configuration filename means it is used to create derived mosaic datasets.)
3. Click Run to create the derived mosaic dataset for Sample1.
4. Add the derived mosaic dataset (...\ElevationScript\Elevation\MD\Sample1.gdb\D_WorldDTM) to your map.
5. Right click the D_WorldDTM layer and select Zoom to Layer.

Applying raster function templates

The final step is to visualize elevation-based products like slope and aspect, derived on-the-fly from your full collection of elevation data, using raster function templates.

1. On the Contents pane, right click the D_WorldDTM layer and select Properties.
2. Under Processing Templates, use the dropdown Processing Template list to select AspectRGBMap. Click OK. ArcGIS Pro will visualize your dataset as a colorized aspect map.
3. Try applying the other available functions, like SlopeRGBMap or GrayscaleHillshade. Your map will automatically apply the function. Pan and zoom to explore the results.

You have now created source mosaic datasets for your six elevation datasets, and combined them into one derived mosaic dataset to make it simpler to manage your data. In the next section, you'll learn how to deploy batch files to automate this workflow.