On the General tab, you can view information about a shaded-relief layer, such as the name (and description), whether the layer is writable, the selected resampling method, how the shaded relief is colored, and more. If necessary, you can modify various attributes of the layer.
Name
The file name and description of the layer.
The information in the Name box, which you can modify, if necessary, is displayed on the Maps tab.
Read-only
By default, the layer is writable; that is, the Read-only check box is clear.
To make the layer read-only, select the check box.
Visible
By default, the layer is visible; that is, the check box is selected (and the layer is displayed on the Maps tab).
To hide the layer, clear the check box.
Priority
The priority of the layer in the project or file.
To specify a priority, type or select the priority number you want in the Priority box.
For more information about the priority of a layer, see Reordering layers.
Resample method
The selected resampling method for the layer.
To select a new method, click the Resample method list, and then select the one you want.
Nearest neighbor is the most appropriate resampling method to use with discrete data. It identifies the gray level of the pixel closest to the specified input coordinates and assigns that value to the output coordinates. Although this method is considered the most efficient in computation time, it introduces small errors in the output image. The output image may be offset spatially by up to half a pixel, which may cause the image to have a jagged appearance.
Bilinear interpolation determines the gray level from the weighted average of the nine closest pixels to the specified input coordinates and assigns that value to the output coordinates. This method generates an image with a smoother appearance than nearest neighbor, but the gray-level values are altered in the process, which can result in blurring or loss of image resolution. Similar to cubic-convolution resampling, bilinear interpolation is most appropriate for continuous data.
Cubic convolution determines the gray level from the weighted average of the 16 pixels closest to the specified input coordinates and assigns that value to the output coordinates. The resulting image is slightly sharper than one produced with bilinear interpolation, and it does not have the disjointed appearance produced by nearest neighbor. Similar to bilinear interpolation, cubic convolution is most appropriate for continuous data.
Shaded relief
The selected coloring method for the shaded relief.
To select a new method, click the Shaded relief list, and then select the one you want.
Grayscale displays the digital elevation model (DEM) with grayscale hill-shading. The light source is from the top-left. It and the elevation values are used to cast the shadows.
Fixed color displays the DEM with color hill-shading. The light source is from the top-left. It and the elevation values are used to cast the shadows. Colors are interpolated across elevation values to give a smooth gradation.
Dynamic color displays the DEM using color hill-shading. The light source is from the top-left and elevation values are used to cast the shadows. The color display of the DEM is rerendered automatically as you pan or zoom in the viewer so that the colorization is applied only to the pixels being viewed currently.
Contoured color displays the DEM using color hill-shading. A light source and the elevation values are used to cast the shadows. The colors are not interpolated; that is, the definition of the various contour intervals is crisp. DEM pixels within one interval use the same color in the map. If necessary, you can select additional options, such as adjusting the interval.
With a selected shaded-relief type, you can click Options to set up the illumination source and contour, as applicable.
© PCI Geomatics Enterprises, Inc.®, 2026. All rights reserved.