In ArcGIS AllSource, you can use geoprocessing tools to perform spatial analysis and manage your GIS data. ModelBuilder is used to create, edit, and manage geoprocessing models that automate those tools. Models are workflows that string together sequences of geoprocessing tools, feeding the output of one tool into another tool as input. ModelBuilder can also be thought of as a visual programming language for building workflows.
To build a geoprocessing model in ModelBuilder, add tools and data to a model, and make connections between them to establish the order of execution.
Open ModelBuilder
- On the Analysis tab, in the Geoprocessing group, click ModelBuilder.
A new blank model is opened. The model is created in your project's default toolbox. You can resize, dock, or tile the model view in any position, as you would a map.
Add data
Models work with data, with the output of one geoprocessing tool being used as input to another tool. You can start building your model by first adding the data you want to process.
- To add data to your model, drag layers from the map Contents and datasets from Project into the model.
The layers and datasets are added to the model and display as input data variables.
Add geoprocessing tools
Geoprocessing tools are a fundamental building block of your model. ArcGIS AllSource has many geoprocessing tools for accomplishing an extensive number of GIS tasks. Once you know the right tools for the work you are doing, it is straightforward to add those tools to a model.
- To add a geoprocessing tool to your model, make sure the model view is active, then start typing to search for a tool. A list of search results will display on the Add Tools To Model dialog box. Double-click a tool to add it to the model. Alternatively, you can drag a geoprocessing tool into the model from the Geoprocessing pane or Catalog pane.
The tool is added to the model and typically appears as a gray rectangle, indicating the tool is not yet ready to run. In addition to the tool, any output data variables that will be created by the tool also appear in the model diagram.
Connect data and tools
Geoprocessing models allow connecting of data and tools into processes. You must specify which data variables in the model should be processed by which geoprocessing tools.
- Connect the data variables you added to the model directly to a tool by drawing a connection between them, then choose the tool parameter to which to connect the variable. You can connect the output of one tool as input to another tool.
A connection line is drawn between the data variable and the tool.
Change tool parameters
Just as when you run a geoprocessing tool in the Geoprocessing pane, tools in ModelBuilder have required and optional parameters. Required parameters must be specified for the tool to run within your model.
- Double-click a geoprocessing tool in the model to open the tool and modify the tool parameters. After specifying all required parameters, click OK. The tool does not run when you click OK; it only saves the tool settings.
When all of a tool's required parameters have a valid value, the tool element color will change to yellow, indicating the tool is ready to run.
Set model parameters
You can make any variable into a model parameter. Variables that are set as model parameters show as tool parameters when the model is run as a geoprocessing tool, allowing you to specify different data or values for your model to process than what was specified when the model was created.
- Right-click any variable in the model and select Parameter to make the variable a model parameter.
An indicator (P) is displayed above the variable to indicate it is a model parameter, and a check mark appears next to Parameter in the variable context menu.
Run the model
- Click the Run button
on the ModelBuilder tab to run the entire model. While the tools in the model are running, a progress window appears to indicate which tool is running and any messages. As a model is running, the actively running tool is highlighted in red.
Tools and outputs that are run successfully appear with a drop shadow. Any output variables that have been marked Add To Display are added to the last active map.
All tools in the model have finished successfully.