Program:

Conservation Applications of LiDAR Data

http://tsp.umn.edu/lidar

Funding:

Module:
Instructor:

EnvironmentandNaturalResourcesTrustFund
Hydrologic Applications
SeanVaughn,DNRGISHydrologist
(FundedbytheCleanWaterFund)

Exercise:

DEM Display

Objectives

LearnthebasicsofsettingEnvironmentSettingstocontrolrasteranalysisandprocessingoutputs.

DemonstratemethodstodisplayaDEMandassociatedrasterproductsforthepurposeof
hydrographyidentificationanddelineation.

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ArcMapSetup
ThesetupofArcMapwiththepropertoolbars,extensions,andenvironmentalsettingsis
criticalforthisexercise.InadditiontousingthefunctionalityofthesevariousArcMap
capabilitieswewantyoutounderstandhowto:locate,load,andsetupthesetoolbars,
extensions,andenvironmentalsettings.Youcanretaintheseinstructionsforfuture
reference.
1. OpenyourGISsoftware.StartbyopeningArcMap.

2. LoadtheBaseDEM.UsingArcMaporArcCatalog(yourpreference),loadabaseDigitalElevationModel
(DEM)intotheArcMapTableofContents.

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3. LoadArcMapExtensions.InArcMap,loadtheSpatialAnalystand3DAnalystExtensions.
CustomizeExtensions
Note:Dependingonthesetupofyourmachineorprioruseandinstruction,these
extensionsmayalreadybeloadedforyou.

4. SetuptheEnvironmentSettingsattheApplicationLevel.

Discussion:
Applicationenvironmentsettingsarethesystemwidedefaultsettingthatareusedby
everytool.
a. OpentheEnvironmentSettingsoneoftwoways.1.)RightClickintheToolbox,ClickonEnvironments
or2.)FromtheGeoprocessingdropdownmenu,ClickEnvironments.

OR

Discussion:
ItsgooddatamanagementtogetinthehabitofworkingwithandsettingtheEnvironmentSettings.
Thisisespeciallytruewhenworkingwithrasterdata.Asdemonstratedinthecourselectureitis
importanttoensuretheoutputrasterdatayougeneratematchupwithyoursource/inputgrids.
ItshouldbenotedthattheEnvironmentSettingsarenotexclusivetorasterdata.Simplysettingyour
Workspacewillensureallyouroutputdata(vectorandraster)issenttoalocationwhereyoucan
findthem.Consequently,westartyououtusingtheEnvironmentSettingsrightfromthebeginning
ofyourtraining.
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TherearefourlevelsofEnvironmentSettingsthatformahierarchy:1.application,2.tool,3.model,
and4.modelprocess.Inthishierarchy,alllevelscontainthesameenvironmentvariablesandhave
thesameeffectonoutputresults.Thelevelsdifferonlyinhowyouaccessandsetthem.However,
EnvironmentSettingsarepasseddowntothenextlevel.ThesepasseddownEnvironmentSettings
canbeoverriddenateachsucceedinglevel.
WefeelmorecomfortableestablishingtheEnvironmentSettingsatthetoollevelevenifpreviously
setattheapplicationlevel.However,forthefollowingstepsinthisexerciseyouwillbeaskedtoset
theEnvironmentSettingsatboththeapplicationandtoollevels.
b. UndertheWorkspaceTab,setCurrentWorkspaceto:
Location:%rootfolder%:\dem_display_DATA.

c. UndertheGeneralSettingsTab,setScratchWorkspace
Location:%rootfolder%:\dem_display_SCRATCH.

Discussion:
IftheCurrentWorkspaceisset,toolswilllookfortheirinputsinthisworkspaceandyoucanenter
inputsfortoolsusingjustthenameratherthanthefullpathname.Furthermore,outputwillbe
writtentothecurrentworkspace,youshouldalwayscheckwheretooloutputisbeingwritten.
Nothingismorefrustratingthantorunatoolandforgetornotknowwheretheoutputwaswritten.
Afteryou'verunatool,youmayfindthatoutputisn'toutputtowhereyouexpectperhapsyou
madeamistakewhenenteringtheoutputname,oryou'vejustforgottenwhereitwaswritten.If
thisisthecase,opentheResultswindow;itwillcontainarecordofthetoolyou'verunalongwithits
inputandoutputdatasetswhichwillincludethedirectorypathstructure.

d. SetOutputCoordinateSystemto(inthisexample,dem03).

e. SettheExtentandSnapRastertothenameofyourDEMlayer.

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Discussion:
TheSnapRastersettingiswhatensuresyouroutputrasterwillsnapormeshwithyourinput
raster.

Note:TheExtentwillstateAsSpecifiedBelowthenexttimeyouopentheEnvironmentSettings.

f.

SettheRasterAnalysisSettingstodem03.

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5. AddtheLandFacetAnalysisToolBar.
a. CustomizeToolbarsLandFacetAnalysis

6. Save/SaveAsyourArcMapprojecttoDEM_display
Name:DEM_display
Location:%rootfolder%:\dem_display_PROJECT

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HillShade
1. CreateaHillshaderasterofthebaseDEM[dem03,inthisexample]usingtheSpatialAnalystTools.
a. SelecttheHillshadeToolfromtheSurfaceToolboxmenu(supportinggraphicbelow).

ArcToolboxSpatialAnalystToolsSurfaceHillshade
b. SelectthebaseDEM(dem03)fromthedropdownmenuorbrowsebutton.
c. AcceptthedefaultsforAzimuthandAltitude.
d. EnsuretheZfactoris1becauseourx,yandzvaluesareallinmeters.
e. Nametheraster:dem03_hlshd(supportinggraphicbelow).
Name:dem03_hlshd
Location:%rootfolder%:\dem_display_SCRATCH\dem03_hlshd

Note:
Whydoesthevalueof0.304800609601219sometimesshowupwhichisdifferentfromthedefault
of1?ThisoftenhappenswhenyouhavesavedanMXDthathadpreviouslyusedatoolthatrequired
(oritwasbyaccident)aZfactorconversionbetweenfeetandmeters.
Ifthex,yunitsandzunitsareinthesameunitsofmeasure,thezfactoris1.ThisistheESRIArcGIS
default(notalways).
Ifthex,yunitsandzunitsareindifferentunitsofmeasure,thezfactormustbesettothe
appropriatefactor,ortheresultswillbeincorrect.Forexample,ifyourzunitsarefeetandyourx,y
unitsaremeters,youwoulduseazfactorof0.3048toconvertyourzunitsfromfeettometers(1
foot=0.3048meter).

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2. SetDisplayandSymbologyforthenewdem03_hlshdrasterwiththesettingsdefinedinthegreyboxbelow.
DisplayTab
Resampleduringdisplayusing:
Contrast:

Brightness:

Transparency

=BilinearInterpolation(forcontinuousdata)
=0%(default)
=0%(default)
=0%(default)

SymbologyTab
Show:
ColorRamp:
StretchType:
Statistics:

=Stretched(default)
=grayscale(default)
=StandardDeviations,n:=2(default)
=FromCurrentDisplayExtent

Note:ExamplesofDisplayandSymbologyWindowTabsinimagesbelow.

3. NowthatyouhavecreatedtheHillshaderaster(dem03_hlshd),moveitunderdem03inthetableof
contents.

4. SettheDisplayandSymbologyfordem03youloadedearlierusingthefollowingcriteria.
DisplayTab
Resampleduringdisplayusing:
Contrast:

Brightness:

Transparency

=BilinearInterpolation(forcontinuousdata)

=0%(default)

=0%(default)

=55%

SymbologyTab
Show:
ColorRamp:
StretchType:
Statistics:

=Stretched(default)
={yourchoice}
=StandardDeviations,n:=2(default)
=FromCurrentDisplayExtent

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Note:
WhatyouaredoingisseeingthroughtheDEMwiththeshadedsignaturesoftheHillshade
influencingthevisualperspectiveoftheDEM.
SomepeopleprefertomaketheHillshadetransparentandplaceitovertheDEM.
5. Takeaminutetopanaroundandzoomintogetfamiliarwiththedata,thedisplaysettings,andthe
geographicsettingoftheexercisearea.Noticethatitishardtoexplicitlydefinethelocationof
watercourses.Unfortunatelyyoucantspendtoomuchtimeplayingwiththisamazingdatabecauseyou
havemoretodoahead

6. Loadanaerialimageforthesameareayouhavebeenworkingin.ItshouldloadintotheTableofContents
abovetherasterdem03.
Location:%rootfolder%:\DEM_Display\dem_display_IMAGE

Aerialimages:
Digitalorthophotoquadrangles(DOQs)areaerialphotographscorrectedtoalignwiththegeographic
grid.AirphotosareavailablefromMnGeoathttp://www.mngeo.state.mn.us/.InthePopular
Resourcessection,clickonAirPhotos>FSAPhotos,selectthemostrecentyear,andeither
downloadthefileforyourcountyorclickonWMSservicetolearnhowtoconnecttotheaerial
photoswithoutdownloadingthemtoyourcomputer.

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7. TurntheDOQonandoffrepeatedlytoseehowthetopographylookswithoutthehillshadedDEM.Takea
momenttotogglebackandforthtoseehowmuchtopographyisvisibleintheDEMcomparedtowhatthe
highqualityDOQoffers.

8. Turnoffdem03.
9. IntheTableofContentsMovetheDOQunderdem03_hlshdintheTableofContentsandsetdem03_hlshd
to60%Transparent.

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Discussion:
ByplacingtheDOQunderthehillshaderaster(dem03_hlshd)withahightransparencysetonthe
raster,wecangivethedepthoftopographytotheimageandthesignaturesoffeaturesfromthe
DOQtothetopographyoftheDEM(raster).
Payparticularattentiontothewaterconveyancefeatureswhichshowupverywellwiththis
combination.However,dotheyexhibitsignaturessuitableforaccuratedelineationanddigitization?
Asfarashydrographyisconcerned,wecandobettertoincreasethevisualizationandinterpretation
ofthehydrography
Thiscreatessomeexcitingresultsbutdontgetwrappedupinallthesplendor,thereismorework
ahead.

10. TurnofftheDOQ.

11. ChangetheTransparencyoftheHillshaderaster(dem03_hlshd)backto0%.

12. ChangetheDisplayandSymbologyfordem03
a. Changethesettingsfordem03tothevaluesbelow.

DisplayTab
Resampleduringdisplayusing:
Contrast:

=BilinearInterpolation(forcontinuousdata)
=70%

Brightness:
Transparency

=30%(negativethirty)
=40%

SymbologyTab
Show:
ColorRamp:
Invert
StretchType:
Statistics:

=Stretched
=YellowtoDarkRed(5thcolorrampupfromthebottom)
=Checked(on)
=StandardDeviations,n:=2
=FromCurrentDisplayExtent

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Note:YoucanensureyouareusingthecorrectColorRampbyrightmouseclickingonthecolor
rampandselectingSavetostyle

FiresymbologydefinedDEMcolor.

Discussion:
IcallthisrastersymbologyFire.Thegoalofthiscolorrampandsettingsistoputthedarkestcolors
intothelowestfeatures,attemptingtohighlightthehydrographyofthelandscape.Thehopeisto
makethebottomsofwatercoursesblackwhenyouzoomin.

13. SaveyourArcMapproject.

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TPIRasterCreation
WewillnowexploreamethodofindentifyingthehydrographyintheDEMwithmoreintensityanddefinitionusinga
specialoutputrasterwithsimpledisplayandsymbologysettings.Wewilldothisthroughamultistepprocessusinga
freeArcMapToolboxcalledLandFacetCorridorTools.FromthatextensionwewillemploytheLandFacetAnalysis
toolwhichcontainstheTopographicPositionIndex(TPI)functionality.
TPITopographicPositionIndex
TPIisthedifferencebetweenacellselevationvalueandtheaverageelevationoftheneighborhoodaroundthatcell.
TPIisasimplificationoftheLandscapePositionIndexdescribedbyFelsandZobel(1995)andwasdevelopedin
detailbyWeiss(2001).
Fels,J.E.andR.Zobel,1995.LandscapepositionandclassifiedlandtypemappingforstatewideDRASTICmapping
project.NorthCarolinaStateUniversityTechnicalReport.
DifferentNeighborhoodsettings(circle,rectangle,annulus)producedifferentresultsthatmayormaynotbe
helpful.UsersofTPIareencouragedtoexperimenttoidentifywhichsettingsaremostusefulfortheirtask.
Positivevaluesmeanthecellishigherthanitssurroundingswhile
Negativevaluesmeanitislower.

1. MakeaTopographicIndexRaster.
OpentheLandFacetAnalysisToolbarTopographicPositionIndexToolsCalculateTPIRaster.
ToolbarMenu

AppearanceasadockedToolBar

AppearanceasafloatingToolBar

a. CreateaTopographicPositionIndex(TPI)rasterfromdem03withthesesettings(supportinggraphics
beloworonnextpage).
Inputelevationraster: =dem03
Neighborhood(optional):
=Circle
NeighborhoodSettings:
Radius

=3
Units:

=Cell
TPIRaster:

=TPI_cir3
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Name:TPI_cir3
Location:%rootfolder%:\dem_display_DATA\TPI_cir3

2. ChecktoseeifTPI_cir3loadedintoyourtableofcontents(supportinggraphicsbeloworonnextpage).

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Discussion/Review:ATPIrasterrepresentsthedifferencebetweenacellelevationvalueandthe
averageelevationoftheneighborhoodaroundthatcell.

3. ChangetheDisplayandSymbologyforTPI_cir3
DisplayTab
Resampleduringdisplayusing:
Contrast:

=0%
Brightness:

Transparency

SymbologyTab
Show:
ColorRamp:
StretchType:
Statistics:

=BilinearInterpolation(forcontinuousdata)
=0%
=0%

=Stretched

=GrayScale

=StandardDeviations,n:=2
=FromCurrentDisplayExtent

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Discussion:
WehaveusedafreelyavailableproprietaryCreativeCommonsTooltogenerateourTPIforthis
exercise.YoucouldusetheSpatialAnalystFocalStatisticstoolandtheRasterCalculatorto
accomplishthesamething.UsingModelBuilderitwouldlooklikethemodelbelow.

4. TakeamomenttopanaroundandexploretheTPIraster.
Discussion:Noticehowwecannowseethesidesoftheditchesandotherfeaturesonthelandscape
thatconveywater.Nowwiththeinfluencesofobliqueshadingremovedatechniciancandigitize
hydrographywithmorecertaintyresultinginamoreaccurateplacementofthegeometry
representingthesefeatures.
5. SaveyourArcMapproject.
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TPIRasterIntegration
1. InyourtableofcontentsTurnoffdem03.

2. Turnondem03_hlshd.
a. EnsuretheDisplayfordem03_hlshdissetto0%transparency.
3. ChangetheDisplayandSymbologyagainforTPI_cir3to:
DisplayTab
Resampleduringdisplayusing:
Contrast:

Brightness:

Transparency

SymbologyTab
Show:
ColorRamp:
StretchType:
Statistics:

=BilinearInterpolation(forcontinuousdata)
=0%
=0%
=50%

=Stretched

=GrayScale

=StandardDeviations,n:=2
=FromCurrentDisplayExtent

a. ZoominonTPI_cir3

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Discussion:NoticehowtheTPIraster[TPI_cir3]definesthehydrographyintheHillshade
[dem03_hlshd].
TheTPIrastertightlydefinesthewaterconveyancefeatureswhilethehillshadeintroduceselevation.

4. ChangetheDisplayandSymbologyforTPI_cir3totheFiresymbolsetyousetearlier.
Note:Thisisthesamecolorschemeyousetupfordem03earlier.
DisplayTab
Resampleduringdisplayusing:
Contrast:

=70%

=BilinearInterpolation(forcontinuousdata)

Brightness:
Transparency

=30%(negativethirty)
=30%

SymbologyTab
Show:
ColorRamp:
Invert
StretchType:
Statistics:

=Stretched

=YellowtoDarkRed(5thrampupfromthebottom)

=Check(on)

=StandardDeviations,n:=2
=FromCurrentDisplayExtent

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Discussion:Whenyouareworkinginareaswithminimalelevationchanges,asintheexamples
shownhere,theroadsandditchbankspopwiththisFirecolorscheme,makingforeasy
interpretationofthefeaturesthatconveywateronthelandscape.LikeourearlierTPIillustration,
thetechnicianonlyneedstoconcentrateonthefeaturesinblackfordigitizingthehydrography,
resultinginamoreaccuratefinaldigitizedproduct.

5. Youshouldnowhavedem03_hlshdturnedonandundertheTPI_cir3rasterintheTableofContents.

Discussion/Review:
WehavenowaddedaslightamountofvisualrelieftotheTPIwiththehillshadedDEMwhichcan
aidthetechnicianinhydrographyidentificationandthedelineationofthosefeatures.
Incorporatingthereliefandcontoursisalsobeneficialfordeterminingdirectionalityofmostwater
conveyancefeatures.Noticehowmanywaterconveyanceloopsthereareonthelandscape
becauseofexcavationonthelandscape.
ComparetheeffectivenessoftheTPIwithrelieftojusttheDOQ.Notsolongagowewerequite
satisfiedwithwhattheDOQsprovidedus.

6. SaveyourArcMapproject.

7. AddtheEffectsToolBar(ifitsnotalreadyloaded).
a. CustomizeToolbarsEffects

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8. UsetheSwipeLayerfromtheEffectsToolbartoseehowtheTPIrasterlinesupwiththeoriginalDEMand
theDOQ.

9. ExploretherastersinyourviewtoseehowyoucoulduseTPIforresultsverificationonotherprojectsyou
areinvolvedin.

10. Saveyourproject.END

Discussion:
TPIEvolutionandAvailability
AndrewWeiss

Firstpresentedatthe2001ESRIInternationalUserConference.
Weiss,A.,2001.Topographicpositionandlandformsanalysis.PosterPresentation,ESRIUserConference,San
Diego,CA.

JeffJenness,WildlifeBiologist,GISAnalyst,JennessEnterprises/CorridorDesign.

OriginallywrotethecodeinAvenueforArcView3.3.Jenness,J.,2005.TopographicPositionIndex(tpi_jen.avx)
ExtensionforArcView3.x.JennessEnterprises.http://www.jennessent.com.
AvailableforArcGIS10at:http://corridordesign.org/

ThomasDilts,ResearchScientist,UniversityofNevada,Reno.

MigratedtheTPIfunctionalitytoanArcGIStoolbox.
AvailableforArcGIS9.xat:http://arcscripts.esri.com/details.asp?dbid=15996

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Note:TheLandFacetCorridorDesignercanbedownloadedat:
http://corridordesign.org/downloads

Extra Time Project:

1. CreateaTPIondem03for1.)A3x3Rectangle,usingcellunits2.)A1x1rectangleusingcellunits.
a. Doestherepresentationofwaterconveyancefeaturestightenuporgetlargerforeach?

2. UsetheDOQforyourcomparison.
3. WhatdoyouthinktheresultswouldbeifwemadeTPIrastersusingthe1meterDEM(dem01)?

Documentversion:June2013
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