Use catalog datasets

Catalog datasets provide a way to organize, share, search, and discover products created by ArcGIS Drone2Map. They are designed to be a centralized storage method that can be managed and maintained over time and shared amongst an organization for quick retrieval of products. After processing a project, products can be added to a new or existing catalog dataset as catalog layers. When the catalog dataset is opened within a map or scene, footprints for each layer within the catalog will appear and depict the layer boundary in the expected geographic location.

Create a catalog dataset

A catalog dataset can be stored locally or on shared storage. Its layers are sourced from files on disk or items from ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Enterprise.

To create a new catalog dataset, complete the following steps:

  1. Browse to the Share tab.
  2. Click the Catalog Dataset button.

    The Catalog Dataset pane opens with the Add tab section in focus.

  3. Click the Create Catalog Dataset button Add Data.

    A new Create Catalog Dataset dialog box appears.

  4. Provide a name for the new catalog dataset in the Catalog Name section.
  5. Choose whether the catalog type should be Local or Web.
    • Local—layers added to the catalog will be files.
    • Web—layers added to the catalog will be items from the active ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Enterprise portal.
  6. Choose the location where the catalog dataset should be stored.

    Catalog datasets require a file geodatabase. This can either be the current project geodatabase (default), an existing local file geodatabase, or a new file geodatabase can be created by clicking the Create File Geodatabase button. Add Data

  7. Choose how the layers will be stored in the catalog dataset.
    • Project—Layers will not be copied and will be referenced from their project.
    • Shared Storage—Layers will be copied and referenced from the user specified shared storage location.
  8. Select the spatial reference or accept the default.
  9. Click OK.

Add project layers to a catalog dataset

To add project layers to a catalog dataset, complete the following steps:

  1. Browse to the Share tab.
  2. Click the Catalog Dataset button.

    The Catalog Dataset pane opens with the Add tab in focus.

  3. Use the Active Catalog Dataset drop-down menu to define the active catalog dataset. Alternatively, open an existing catalog dataset using the Choose Catalog Dataset button Import Template or create a new one using the Create Catalog Dataset button Add Data.
  4. Use the Layers table to select layers from the current project to be added to the catalog dataset.
  5. Click the Add button to add the project layers to the catalog dataset.

Remove project layers from a catalog dataset

To remove project layers from a catalog dataset, complete the following steps:

  1. Browse to the Share tab.
  2. Click the Catalog Dataset button.

    The Catalog Dataset pane opens with the Add tab in focus.

  3. Use the Active Catalog Dataset drop-down menu to define the active catalog dataset. Alternatively, open an existing catalog dataset using the Choose Catalog Dataset button Import Template.
  4. Use the Layers table to select layers from the current project to be removed from the catalog dataset.
  5. Click the Remove button to remove the project layers from the catalog dataset.
Note:

If the active catalog dataset uses shared storage, layers can be deleted by anyone accessing it. Be aware of this when removing any layers and performing maintenance.

Managing catalog datasets

Catalog datasets provide a long-term storage and sharing method for Drone2Map products. Layers can continually be added and maintained within the catalog dataset across multiple projects. The Manage tab provides the ability to remove layers, repath broken paths, manage catalogs, and quickly find and zoom to selected layers.

Remove layers from a catalog dataset

To remove any layers stored within an active catalog dataset, complete the following steps:

  1. Browse to the Share tab.
  2. Click the Catalog Dataset button.

    The Catalog Dataset pane opens with the Add tab in focus.

  3. Click the Manage tab at the top of the pane.
  4. Use the Active Catalog Dataset drop-down menu to define the active catalog dataset. Alternatively, open an existing catalog dataset using the Choose Catalog Dataset button Import Template.
  5. Use the Layers table to select the catalog layers to be removed from the catalog dataset.
  6. Click the Remove button to remove the catalog layers from the catalog dataset.
Note:

If the active catalog dataset uses shared storage, layers can be deleted by anyone accessing it. Be aware of this when removing any layers and performing maintenance.

Edit a catalog dataset

Once a catalog dataset has been created, certain characteristics can still be modified such as the method it uses to store its layers. These options can be modified through the following steps:

  1. Browse to the Share tab.
  2. Click the Catalog Dataset button.

    The Catalog Dataset pane opens with the Add tab in focus.

  3. Click on the Manage tab at the top of the pane.
  4. Use the Active Catalog Dataset drop-down menu to define the active catalog dataset. Alternatively, open an existing catalog dataset using the Choose Catalog Dataset button Import Template.
  5. Click the Edit Catalog Dataset button Edit Pop-up Element.
  6. Use the radio buttons to define whether catalog layers are stored locally within the Project or from Shared Storage path.
  7. Click OK to retain any changes.

Repath layers in a catalog dataset

Catalog layers are quite versatile and can be stored on disk or online. However, there are times when pathing may no longer be correct, such as a layer being moved or deleted. In these instances, the broken layer paths can be repaired within the Manage pane. To repath layers within a catalog, complete the following steps:

  1. Browse to the Share tab.
  2. Click the Catalog Dataset button.

    The Catalog Dataset pane opens with the Add tab in focus.

  3. Click the Manage tab at the top of the pane.
  4. Use the Active Catalog Dataset drop-down menu to define the active catalog dataset. Alternatively, open an existing catalog dataset using the Choose Catalog Dataset button Import Template.
  5. Select the layer or layers that need to be repathed.
  6. Click the Repath button.

    A new browse window will appear.

  7. Define the new path to the layer by selecting its current location.
  8. Click OK.