Converting raster dataset to XYZ in ARCGIS !!

It is most probable that you might have to convert from XYZ data to raster image and vice versa because there are applications which can only read XYZ data for visualizing and analyzing. In my case, I always use MATLAB for such case where I can process numbers of images in a loop. One of reader send me an email asking to show a way to do such tasks in ArcGIS. So, here I will show how to convert raster dataset to XYZ. Of course, the way I show can be executed for numbers of images by using python. If someone interested in that, shoot me an email. I will duly oblige.

Steps:

1) Open your raster image in  ArcMap.

2) Open the Sample tool from ArcToolbox>Spatial Analyst Tools >Extraction.

3) Select the raster dataset as the Input Raster and select the raster dataset again in the 'Input location raster or point feature'. Choose ' Resampling technique' is set to Nearest.

4) Specifiy an output table.

5) The output table is in the format: Object ID, Z, X, Y and Z. The sample file would look like in the following figure.

6) Open the table. Right click a field that you are not interested in and choose 'Turn Field Off'. Do this of for all of fields that is not of interest.

7) Right click the table and  choose Data >Export and give an appropriate name and you are done.

Converting raster dataset to XYZ in ARCGIS !!

It is most probable that you might have to convert from XYZ data to raster image and vice versa because there are applications which can only read XYZ data for visualizing and analyzing. In my case, I always use MATLAB for such case where I can process numbers of images in a loop. One of reader send me an email asking to show a way to do such tasks in ArcGIS. So, here I will show how to convert raster dataset to XYZ. Of course, the way I show can be executed for numbers of images by using python. If someone interested in that, shoot me an email. I will duly oblige.

Steps:

1) Open your raster image in  ArcMap.

2) Open the Sample tool from ArcToolbox>Spatial Analyst Tools >Extraction.

3) Select the raster dataset as the Input Raster and select the raster dataset again in the 'Input location raster or point feature'. Choose ' Resampling technique' is set to Nearest.

4) Specifiy an output table.

5) The output table is in the format: Object ID, Z, X, Y and Z. The sample file would look like in the following figure.

6) Open the table. Right click a field that you are not interested in and choose 'Turn Field Off'. Do this of for all of fields that is not of interest.

7) Right click the table and  choose Data >Export and give an appropriate name and you are done.

Advanced PDF export from ArcGIS

Starting from ArcGIS 9.3, now it is easy to create advanced PDF type export where user can can interactively query the attributes of vector features. Create your map in arc gis in a usual way and follow these simple steps. It is to be noted that user needs recent version of Arcrobat Reader 9.0. I will show this capability of ArcGis by making a simple map of the world.

1) Double click the desired layer in ArcGIS 9.3 and go to Field tab. Select fields that you want to display in the PDF. Select the attribute that you want to display as primary display field. Thus selected field will be displayed as a list in the PDF which will be subsequently created.



2 ) Go to the MAP view of arc gis and then click File> Export Map. Choose file type as PDF and click Advanced tab. Select Export PDF layers and Features Attributes as shown in below.


3) Save the file and open it in Acrobat reader 9.0.

4) Right click any where near toolbar and add Analysis toolbar. Now hover around the map you created before hand, bingo look at the bottom of the window, you will see the longitude and lattitude information of the place as you hover around the map.



Also notice that at the left hand side, you have a Modal tree Tool. Click the tool and expand its view. Now you can find the list of all features. Click in one the features name and in the bottom, you can see its features. You can also use FIND tool and search for a feature. PDF will locate that particular feature for you.



Isn't it cool. Now you can create complicated map in ArcGIS and share it with other non technical peoples as a PDF where attributes of features can be viewed and queried.

Advanced PDF export from ArcGIS

Starting from ArcGIS 9.3, now it is easy to create advanced PDF type export where user can can interactively query the attributes of vector features. Create your map in arc gis in a usual way and follow these simple steps. It is to be noted that user needs recent version of Arcrobat Reader 9.0. I will show this capability of ArcGis by making a simple map of the world.

1) Double click the desired layer in ArcGIS 9.3 and go to Field tab. Select fields that you want to display in the PDF. Select the attribute that you want to display as primary display field. Thus selected field will be displayed as a list in the PDF which will be subsequently created.



2 ) Go to the MAP view of arc gis and then click File> Export Map. Choose file type as PDF and click Advanced tab. Select Export PDF layers and Features Attributes as shown in below.


3) Save the file and open it in Acrobat reader 9.0.

4) Right click any where near toolbar and add Analysis toolbar. Now hover around the map you created before hand, bingo look at the bottom of the window, you will see the longitude and lattitude information of the place as you hover around the map.



Also notice that at the left hand side, you have a Modal tree Tool. Click the tool and expand its view. Now you can find the list of all features. Click in one the features name and in the bottom, you can see its features. You can also use FIND tool and search for a feature. PDF will locate that particular feature for you.



Isn't it cool. Now you can create complicated map in ArcGIS and share it with other non technical peoples as a PDF where attributes of features can be viewed and queried.