NetCDF (network Common Data Form) is a file format for storing multidimensional scientific data such as temperature, humidity, pressure, wind speed, and direction. Each of these variables can be displayed through dimensions such as x, y, z; x, y, level; x, y, time; or x, y, z, time dimensions in ArcGIS by making a layer or table view from the netCDF file. It is used extensively in the atmospheric and oceanographic communities and many organizations and scientific groups in different countries have adopted netCDF as a standard way to represent some forms of scientific data.
ArcGIS Pro reads netCDF files natively, providing immediate access to the data without the need for data conversion or import. You can use a collection of tools in the Multidimension tool box to create a raster layer, feature layer, table view, and feature classes from profiles, time series, and trajectories, respectively, from a netCDF file.
Workflows
When working with a netCDF file in 2D, only one slice of multidimensional data is visible at any given time as a raster layer, feature layer or table view. The benefit of working in 3D is that you can visualize variables using three or four dimensions using a voxel layer. A voxel layer represents multidimensional spatial and temporal information in a 3D volumetric visualization, for example temperature over an area varying with time or over time or oxygen concentrations over an area varying with altitude.
You can add a voxel layer directly to a local scene in ArcGIS Pro using the Add Multidimensional Voxel Layer dialog box. NetCDF files with regularly gridded data are the only supported input. Once the voxel layer is added, you can filter the data, change the symbology, create time animations and explore the voxel layer using slice and section tools. If you do not have a netCDF file suitable for voxel layer, you can create one in ArcGIS Pro. Various workflows allow you to create multidimensional data from 3D point input, from geostatistical analysis, or by converting existing multidimensional data, such as raster data, to be visualized as a voxel layer. If you already have regularly gridded data including dimensions and variables, you can use Python to create a NetCDF file.
If you want to share a voxel layer across your organization, share the web scene containing the voxel layer or create a voxel scene layer package from the voxel layer, share it to your organization and publish as a voxel scene layer. You can change the appearance of a voxel scene layer within a scene, switch between volume and surfaces, or change the symbology.
Considerations
The netCDF data needs to be compliant with the voxel layer data requirements to visualize it as a voxel volume.
Required software
To complete the workflows, you need ArcGIS Pro to work with netCDF data. You need ArcGIS Spatial Analyst extension or ArcGIS Geostatistical Analyst extension to create netCDF files in ArcGIS Pro. You need an ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Enterprise publisher account to publish and share scene layers.
Explore the following resources to learn more about reading and creating netCDF in ArcGIS.
ArcGIS help documentation
Reference material for ArcGIS products:
- What is netCDF data?
- What is a voxel layer?
- Add a voxel layer to a local scene
- Supported voxel formats
- What is a scene layer?
ArcGIS blogs, stories and technical papers
Supplemental guidance about concepts, software functionality, and workflows:
- Creating NetCDF files for analysis and visualization in ArcGIS
- Voxel layers - exploring world atmospheric temperature and pressure with ArcGIS API for JavaScript
- Representing permeability using voxel layers
- A voxel visualization of smoke plume rise and dispersion
- Three ways to prepare your data for voxel layer
Videos
Find open-source scripts and tools for working with CityGML:
Tutorials
Esri training
Authoritative learning resources focusing on key ArcGIS skills:
Esri community
Online places for the Esri community to connect, collaborate, and share experiences:
- Ask the 3D community questions.