When working with large raster datasets or performing complex processing workflows, traditional processing techniques may be too time-consuming or computationally intensive to be practical.
You can use raster analytics, a capability of ArcGIS Image Server as a part of ArcGIS Enterprise, to speed up the processing. Raster analytics is a flexible raster processing, storage, and sharing system that uses distributed computing and storage technology to efficiently process large amounts of data. The capabilities of raster analytics can also be extended by using cloud computing and storage.
Using raster analytics, image processing and analysis jobs that used to take days or weeks can be done in minutes or hours, and jobs that were too resource-intensive are feasible. ArcGIS provides a large set of raster functions that can be applied directly, customized, or chained together to process imagery and raster data. When you use raster analytics to perform this processing, distributed processing and storage are used to speed up large or complex tasks. For example, raster analytics can be used to speed up deep learning workflows for object detection or classification, or to quickly produce large, detailed land-cover maps.
To use raster analytics, you first need to configure ArcGIS Image Server (as part of ArcGIS Enterprise) for raster analytics. You can then invoke raster analytics to process data using a variety of clients such as ArcGIS Pro, Map Viewer in ArcGIS Enterprise, ArcGIS REST API, ArcGIS API for Python and ArcGIS API for JavaScript, or ArcGIS Notebooks. Source data and processed results are then stored, published, and shared across your enterprise.
Explore the following resources to learn more about using raster analytics for distributed image processing. (Not sure where to start? Look for the star by Esri's most helpful resources.)
Note:
To use distributed processing with raster analytics, you need ArcGIS Enterprise with ArcGIS Image Server configured for raster analysis. You may also want to use ArcGIS Pro as a client to invoke raster analytics.ArcGIS help
Review the following links on reference materials for ArcGIS products:
- Read an overview of raster analytics in ArcGIS Enterprise.
- Learn about ArcGIS Image Server and what it does.
- Read about setting up ArcGIS Image Server.
- Learn how to configure and deploy ArcGIS Enterprise for raster analytics.
- Learn how to use raster analytics in Map Viewer, ArcGIS API for Python, or ArcGIS REST API.
- Learn how to perform raster analytics in ArcGIS Pro.
ArcGIS blogs, articles, story maps, and technical papers
Review the following supplemental guidance about concepts, software functionality, and workflows:
- Read this blog for a brief overview of raster analytics.
- Read this ArcUser article for an discussion of raster analytics.
- Read this blog explaining how to use different clients to invoke raster analytics (the focus of the blog is deep learning, but the discussion also applies to raster analytics in general).
Videos
Review the following Esri-produced videos that clarify and demonstrate concepts, software functionality, and workflows:
- Watch a demo showing how raster analytics can be used for land cover mapping. (6 minutes)*
- Watch a demo showing raster analytics being used for object detection using deep learning. (12 minutes)
- Watch a demo showing raster analytics being used to assess flood damage. (6 minutes)
- Watch a technical workshop on building raster analytics workflows. (57 minutes)*
Training and tutorials
Review the following guided lessons and tutorials based on real-world problems and key ArcGIS skills:
- Follow the Calculate landslide potential for communities affected by wildfires tutorial using raster analytics.*
Developer resources
Review the following resources and support for automating and customizing workflows:
- Learn about the functions for calling tools to provide distributed raster analysis using the arcgis.raster.analytics module in ArcGIS API for Python.
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 raster analytics.