Build Overviews (Data Management)

Summary

Defines and generates overviews on a mosaic dataset.

Usage

• This tool will honor the default mosaic dataset settings, not the properties set on a mosaic dataset layer. For instance, the tool will not accept layer property changes such as band count, mosaic method, extent, or query—these properties will be determined by the mosaic dataset and default properties of the mosaic dataset.

• You must check on Define missing overview tiles, Generate overviews, or both.

• The first overview level is created on the full resolution of the mosaic dataset. Each subsequent level is built on the last overview level that was generated.

• If you need more control over the definition of the overviews, use the Define Overviews tool first.

• You cannot build overviews for a referenced mosaic dataset.

Parameters

Dialog

Label	Explanation	Data Type
Mosaic Dataset	The mosaic dataset where you want to build overviews.	Mosaic Layer
Query Definition (Optional)	An SQL statement to select specific rasters within the mosaic dataset. The selected rasters will have their overview built.	SQL Expression
Define Missing Overview Tiles (Optional)	Identify where overviews are needed and define them. Checked—Automatically identify where overviews are needed and define them. This is the default. Unchecked—Do not define new overviews.	Boolean
Generate Overviews (Optional)	Generate all overviews that need to be created or re-created. This includes missing overviews and stale overviews. Checked—Generate all overviews, including those that already exist. This is the default. Unchecked—Generate only the overviews that have been defined but not yet generated.	Boolean
Generate Missing Overview Images Only (Optional)	Use if overviews have been defined but not generated. Checked—Overviews that have been defined but not generated will be generated. This is the default. Unchecked—Overviews that have been defined but not generated will not be generated.	Boolean
Regenerate Stale Overview Images Only (Optional)	Overviews become stale when you change the underlying raster datasets or modify their properties. Checked—Identify and regenerate stale overviews. This is the default. Unchecked—Do not regenerate stale overviews.	Boolean

Derived Output

Label	Explanation	Data Type
Updated Mosaic Dataset	The updated mosaic dataset.	Mosaic Layer

Python

arcpy.management.BuildOverviews(in_mosaic_dataset, {where_clause}, {define_missing_tiles}, {generate_overviews}, {generate_missing_images}, {regenerate_stale_images})

Name	Explanation	Data Type
in_mosaic_dataset	The mosaic dataset where you want to build overviews.	Mosaic Layer
where_clause (Optional)	An SQL statement to select specific rasters within the mosaic dataset. The selected rasters will have their overview built.	SQL Expression
define_missing_tiles (Optional)	Identify where overviews are needed and define them. DEFINE_MISSING_TILES—Automatically identify where overviews are needed and define them. This is the default. NO_DEFINE_MISSING_TILES— Do not define new overviews.	Boolean
generate_overviews (Optional)	Generate all overviews that need to be created or re-created. This includes missing overviews and stale overviews. GENERATE_OVERVIEWS—Generate all overviews, including those that already exist. This is the default. NO_GENERATE_OVERVIEWS—Generate only the overviews that have been defined but not yet generated.	Boolean
generate_missing_images (Optional)	Use if overviews have been defined but not generated. GENERATE_MISSING_IMAGES—Generate overviews that have been defined but not generated. This is the default. IGNORE_MISSING_IMAGES— Do not generate overviews that have been defined but not generated.	Boolean
regenerate_stale_images (Optional)	Overviews become stale when you change the underlying raster datasets or modify their properties. REGENERATE_STALE_IMAGES—Identify and regenerate stale overviews. This is the default. IGNORE_STALE_IMAGES— Do not regenerate stale overviews.	Boolean

Derived Output

Name	Explanation	Data Type
out_mosaic_dataset	The updated mosaic dataset.	Mosaic Layer

Code sample

BuildOverviews example 1 (Python window)

This is a Python sample for BuildOverviews.

import arcpy
arcpy.BuildOverviews_management(
     "C:/Workspace/Overviews.gdb/md", "OBJECTID<5", "DEFINE_MISSING_TILES", 
     "NO_GENERATE_OVERVIEWS", "IGNORE_MISSING_IMAGES", "IGNORE_STALE_IMAGES")

BuildOverviews example 2 (stand-alone script)

This is a Python script sample for BuildOverviews.

# Define Overviews for selected items only

import arcpy
arcpy.env.workspace = "C:/Workspace"

    
arcpy.BuildOverviews_management("Overviews.gdb/md", "OBJECTID<5", 
                                "DEFINE_MISSING_TILES",
                                "NO_GENERATE_OVERVIEWS", "#", "#")

Environments

Parallel Processing Factor