Editing function chains in a mosaic dataset

This topic applies to ArcEditor and ArcInfo only.

Accessing function chains

There are two locations where you can edit the function chains applied by the mosaic dataset—on each raster within the mosaic dataset or on the whole mosaic dataset. Function chains applied on the whole mosaic dataset will affect every raster within the mosaic dataset. For example, if your mosaic dataset contained multiple DEMs, you could apply a shaded relief function on the mosaic dataset and not on each raster. This way the color ramp will be applied consistently over the entire mosaic dataset.

If you apply the shaded relief function on each raster within the mosaic dataset, the color ramp will be applied across each raster and not over the entire mosaicked image. Therefore, you'll see each tile within the mosaic dataset.

Accessing a mosaic dataset function chain

You can edit the functions applied to the whole mosaic dataset by accessing the Mosaic Dataset Properties dialog box from within the Catalog window or ArcCatalog.

Steps:

1. In the Catalog window, right-click the mosaic dataset and click Properties.
2. Click the Functions tab.

Accessing a raster function chain within the mosaic dataset

You can edit the functions applied to each raster within the mosaic dataset and each band contained within the dataset.

Steps:

1. In ArcMap, select a raster in one of the following ways:
   • Use the Selection tool .
   • Use an option on the Selection menu.
   • Open the attribute table from the Footprint layer and select one or more rows.
2. If the attribute table isn't open, right-click the Footprint layer, point to Selection, then click Open Table Showing Selected Features.
3. Click within the Raster column of the row of the raster you want to view.

   An arrow button appears.

4. Click the arrow.

   This opens the Function Raster Dataset Properties dialog box.

5. Click the Functions tab.

Editing functions

Each function in a function chain is represented by a function symbol .

You can edit the properties of each function by opening its properties dialog box.

Steps:

1. Open the function properties dialog box by doing either one of the following:
   • Double-click the function.
   • Right-click the function and click Properties.

There is a General tab describing the function, which is common to all functions. It is the location where you can define the output pixel type.

There is another tab with the specific parameters for that function where you can edit the function.

Once done, close the dialog boxes.

Adding or removing functions

Adding functions

Steps:

1. Right-click a function, click Insert, then click the function you want to add.
2. Modify its settings and click OK.

   Once you click OK, the function chain will be validated. If the function you are adding invalidates the function chain it will not be added.

   When you add a function, it is inserted above the function you clicked.

You cannot drag and drop functions to change their position within the chain. You need to remove a function and add it to a new location if you want to move a function.

Removing functions

Caution:

Be careful when removing functions. You could remove a function that will invalidate the function chain. There is no way to undo the edit once you've removed a function.

Steps:

1. Right-click a function and click Remove.

Editing function chains for multiple rasters at one time

Raster Functions Editor Wizard allows you to insert or remove functions for multiple selected rasters within a mosaic dataset.

Steps:

1. In ArcMap, select multiple rasters by doing one of the following:
   • Use the Selection tool .
   • Use an option on the Selection menu.
   • Open the attribute table from the Footprint layer and select multiple rows.
2. Optionally, right-click the Footprint layer in the table of contents and click Selection > Reselect Only Primary Rasters.
3. Right-click the Footprint layer in the table of contents and click Selection > Batch Edit Raster Functions.
4. Choose either Insert Function or Remove Function from the Operations drop-down list and click Next.
5. Continue through the wizard to edit your rasters in the mosaic dataset.