Available with Advanced license.
ArcGIS includes tools and a wizard for creating products from satellite imagery using photogrammetric processing. This topic focuses on using the ortho mapping capability in ArcGIS Pro Advanced.
GIS users often need to process satellite images to create a variety of 2D products, including orthorectified imagery (which may be exported as orthomosaics), digital surface models (DSMs), digital terrain models (DTMs), or stereo models comprised of one or more stereo image pairs. These data products are then used for visualization or analysis and may need to be shared with colleagues or the public.
To make photogrammetric processing more user-friendly, the ortho mapping capability in ArcGIS Pro includes a workflow-focused wizard for orthorectifying satellite images using the sensor model and an appropriate DEM. You can use ground control points to ensure best horizontal and vertical accuracy, and use independent check points to measure the final accuracy. The images are managed using a mosaic dataset, which can be used directly to access images that are orthorectified on the fly, to view images as stereo pairs using the ArcGIS Image Analyst extension, or to view images individually from the sensor's perspective in image space. An orthomosaic, DSM, or DTM can be created as output data products for use in ArcGIS, and all of these products can be published as web-accessible services through ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Image Server.
Explore the following resources to learn more about using ortho mapping in ArcGIS Pro to generate 2D products from satellite imagery. (Not sure where to start? Look for the star by Esri's most helpful resources.)
Note:
To use this workflow, you'll need ArcGIS Pro Advanced. You can publish data products to ArcGIS Online or your ArcGIS Enterprise portal. Viewing image pairs in stereo requires ArcGIS Image Analyst.
Imagery Workflows resources
Review the community-supported tools and best practices for working with and automating imagery and remote sensing workflows:
- Try a hands-on ortho mapping tutorial for processing satellite imagery using sample data.*
ArcGIS help
Review the following links on reference materials for ArcGIS products:
- Read an overview of the ortho mapping workflow in ArcGIS Pro.
- Learn how to set up a workspace for satellite imagery in ArcGIS Pro.
- When you configure an ortho mapping workspace for satellite data, be sure to use the proper raster type for your satellite. (Raster types also help manage multispectral bands and panchromatic sharpening behind the scenes.)
- Once the ortho mapping workflow is complete, you can use the adjusted mosaic dataset for stereo mapping in ArcGIS Pro.
ArcGIS blogs, articles, story maps, and technical papers
Review the following supplemental guidance about concepts, software functionality, and workflows:
- Read a series of introductory blog articles about ortho mapping, including Getting Organized with a Workspace, Getting Adjusted, and Getting Results.
Videos
Review the following Esri-produced videos that clarify and demonstrate concepts, software functionality, and workflows:
- Watch a demo theater from Esri User Conference 2020 for demonstrations and advice on aerial and satellite imagery. (27 minutes)
Developer resources
Review the following resources and support for automating and customizing workflows:
- Review a guide on automating ortho mapping workflows and learn about using the arcgis.raster.orthomapping module in ArcGIS API for Python.
- Use ArcGIS REST API calls to control ortho mapping on a suitably configured server using remote web calls (use the Compute Sensor Model operation to perform block adjustment).
Esri Community
Use the online imagery community to connect, collaborate, and share experiences:
- Visit the Esri Imagery and Remote Sensing community to connect, collaborate, and share experiences regarding creating satellite imagery products using ortho mapping.