Using the raster calculator

The Raster Calculator lets you formulate, write, and run calculations based on data associated with raster files. It provides a graphical interface where you can create expressions for working with any raster data, such as spectra data and digital elevation models (DEM).

When you build an expression, either type the expression in the Expression box or build the expression by clicking the buttons and items in the window. Combining the two methods may cause unwanted effects.

The Raster Calculator also provides indices, such as the NDVI Leaf Area Index. You can calculate results for the simplest raster arithmetic or the most complex equations and your output can be a number, a 2D image, or both. The following table shows a list of the Raster Calculator categories and their associated functions.

Table 1.
Category Functions
Attribute Statistics FieldValue - min, max, mean, sum, mode, std, median, count, first, last, wgtavg
Channel Statistics Channel - min, max, mean, sum, mode, std, median, count
Constants E, PI, 2*PI, PI/2, PI/4
Conversion Rad2Deg, Deg2Rad, Feet2Meters, Meters2Feet
Division Div, Mod
Exponential Exp, Pow, Sq(a), Squr, Sq (a,b), hyp
Extreme Min, max, round, floor, ceil
Hyperbolic Cosh, Sinh, Tanh, ACosh, ASinh, ATanh
Logarithmic Ln, Log, Alog
Random Rand, Seed
Rational If a = b, If a <> b, If a > b, If a < b, If a >= b, If a <= b
Sign Abs, Neg, Sgn
Trigonometric Cos, Sin, Tan, ACos, Asign, Atan, Atan2
Special Values @x, @y, @dbx, @dby, @meterx, @metery, @geox, @geoy, @sizex, @sizey
Variables String, integer, float, double

The Raster Calculator can be used in either basic or advanced mode. Advanced mode provides more category and function options and allows you to choose from several attributes that can be used in your calculations.When you use the Raster Calculator, new output layers are added to the Focus window.

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