Querying a mosaic dataset layer

There are a couple of things you can achieve when you query a mosaic dataset. For example, are you trying to define a query so only a select raster dataset will be displayed, or are you trying to identify the information for a particular raster dataset?

When you view a mosaic dataset in ArcMap, you have access to all the layers that comprise it, such as the Footprint layer and the Image layer. However, when you view a mosaic dataset in ArcGlobe, you only have access to it as a single layer. In the Catalog window, you can only view the metadata information for the mosaic dataset or it's properties. Therefore, the application accessing the mosaic dataset affects the information you can query.

Using ArcMap

In ArcMap, you have access to the mosaic dataset layer properties and the tables that make up the mosaic dataset. Therefore, there are a number of methods for querying the mosaic dataset.

• You can use the Identify tool on the Tools toolbar to query the pixels to get the raw pixel value, identify the raster datasets that exist at that location and scale, and view the attributes for each raster dataset.
• You can open the mosaic dataset layer properties by right-clicking the mosaic layer and clicking Properties, then clicking the Definition Query tab to define a query using attributes of the raster dataset you want to view in the mosaic dataset. For example, you may want to specify that only the source images be displayed (that is, no service overviews), or you may want to query the data so only data within a specific date range and cloud cover are displayed.
  Note:

  If you only see the footprints of the raster datasets in the display view, but not the actual raster data, it may be because the rasters cannot be viewed at the scale of your display. You can zoom in or right-click the layer and click Zoom To Source Resolution.

• You can use the selection, such as Select by Location, Select by Attributes, or Select by Graphics, from the Selection menu or use the tools on the Tools toolbar, such as Select Features By Rectangle . This allows you to select specific rasters within the mosaic dataset so you can refine your query or even choose to only display those rasters. To learn more, see Viewing one or more rasters within the mosaic dataset.
• You can also open the attribute table (right-click the Footprint layer and click Open Attribute Table) and make a selection or query the attribute table.

Using ArcGlobe

When you access a mosaic dataset in ArcGlobe it displays as a single layer. You cannot access the attribute table; however, you can use the Identify tool on the Tools toolbar to query the pixel values, identify the raster datasets that exist at that location and scale, and view the attributes for each raster dataset.

Using ArcCatalog or the Catalog window

Within ArcCatalog or the Catalog window, you can access the properties of the mosaic dataset and you can access the metadata information. There is no way to define a query; however, you can inspect the information in the mosaic dataset. If you right-click the mosaic dataset in the Catalog window, you can open the Item Description window. This allows you to view the metadata information associated with it or preview the mosaicked image. In ArcCatalog, you can access this same information by selecting the mosaic dataset in the Catalog tree and clicking the Description or Preview tabs. You also have access to the attribute table when using the table view.