Lecture 8 Model Builder

Lecture 8 What is a model? What is ModelBuilder? Why use a model? Element Symbols How to use ModelBuilder Tonight in Lab\Next Week

What is a model? A model is a collection of geoprocessing operations that automatically execute in sequence when the model is run to produce a final output dataset. Any geoprocessing operation in a model can be modified, then the model can be run again to quickly refine an analysis or produce new data that supports an alternative ("what if?") scenario.

What is ModelBuilder? A model is represented by a diagram that shows all the processes and the sequence in which they run. The connecting arrows show how elements and processes are related to each other.

What is ModelBuilder? ModelBuilder is the graphical environment in which you create and interact with models. The building block of a model is called a process. A process consists of a geoprocessing tool. When displayed graphically in a model, the individual parts of a process are called elements.

What is ModelBuilder? Model elements can be in one of three states: white elements are not ready to run colored elements are ready to run elements with a dropshadow have finished running.

Why use ModelBuilder? Models provide a big-picture view of a project. Models are reusable. Processes run seamlessly and faster. Processes can be run individually. Models make managing intermediate data easy Models can be shared.

Using ModelBuilder Open ArcToolbox. Right-click in an empty white area in ArcToolbox and choose New Toolbox. Right Click on the new Toolbox (FireTools), then click model.

Using ModelBuilder? Before staring your model, save it, name it, and set any of the appropriate properties.

Using ModelBuilder? To build a model, you simply drag tools from the appropriate toolbox into the model. Then click on the tool (such as Buffer), and fill in the appropriate parameters. When you are complete the elements will turn the appropriate color (blue, yellow, or green)

Upcoming: Tonight: Complete the second section of Learning ArcGIS Desktop – Online Module 7 on Model Builder In class assignment on ModelBuilder Quiz next week on ModelBuilder