1. Automating Analyses with ModelBuilder

2. Overview Why Use ModelBuilder? ModelBuilder Basics
Common ModelBuilder Problems
Advanced ModelBuilder

3. Why Use ModelBuilder? An automation tool…
But comes with some startup overhead
Most useful in two circumstances
Documents models & their parameterization
Allows experimentation with model parameters – particularly for “weighting and rating”
Common Types of Models
ETL – Extract, transform and convert raw data
Suitability – Building attractiveness maps

4. ModelBuilder Basics Basic idea is that of a “dependency diagram”
User specifies inputs, processing and outputs
If inputs change, system repeats intermediate operations as needed
Diagram has three kinds of elements
Inputs
Geoprocessing Operations
Outputs
Output from one operation can be used as input to an other, allowing “chaining”

5. ModelBuilder Setup
Rather obscure to start…implemented as a custom toolbox tool
Open toolbox panel
Create empty toolbox
Right mouse on Toolboxes, select New Toolbox
Create empty model
Right mouse on new Toolbox, select New Model
Then populate model by drag and drop
Of data layers from map table of contents
Of geoprocessing operations from the toolbox
Finally, wire data and processing boxes together

6. Example: Simple MB Model
Goal
Create a factor map expressing simple proximity to residential landuse where output is classed from 1..9
Method
Create new model
Select residential landuse from San Miguel Parcels database
Add Euclidean distance geoprocessing operation
Connect landuse (input) to distance (process), specifying new grid (output)
Run
Add Reclass Operator
Connect output grid of distance operator to input of reclass, specifying new output grid
Run again

7. Review of Simple Model Benefits Problems / Caveats
Multiple logical steps encapsulated in a single step
Model Logic Recorded in Diagram
Model Parameters Recorded
Problems / Caveats
Default is not to show results…
Model as Created is 100% specific to particular data paths/locations on disk
Model Saving Bizarre..
Default operation names make no sense to end users
Spatial Analyst Toolbar Options do *not* inherit

8. Showing Results Simple, but not Obvious
Right Mouse on Output -> Add to Display
If at first you don’t succeed, try toggling again

9. Saving / Finding Models
By default, models saved in “My Toolboxes” folder
Main menu Tools->Options->My Toolboxes
Default is C:\Documents and Settings\(Username) \Application Data\ESRI\ArcToolbox\My Toolboxes
Easiest to find in ArcCatalog/My Toolboxes
Can “Add Toolbox” stored on disk

10. Making Models Generalizable
Running Models
Can Double Click on Models in Toolbox Panel
By default, not too useful, because no user control of outputs
Generalizing Models
By default, models only use exact data originally specified
To make a model into a true “tool” need to specify which inputs / outputs are variable parameters
Right mouse on input or output
Select “Parameter” (toggle)
After Parameters are set, double clicking brings up user dialog

11. Making MB Diagrams Legible
All elements can be “renamed” from right mouse menu
Rename layers if necessary to clarify
Explain intent of geoprocessing operations
i.e. Isolate Residential Landuse instead of reclass1
If Desired, change diagram properties
Square – Circle – Square
Box Background Colors
If you need better quality, export diagram…

12. Environment Variables in MB
Note
Spatial Analyst “Options” settings not inherited
Must explicitly specify for MB
Two options
Can do once for all toolboxes (recommended)
RM Top Toolbox->Environment Settings
General Settings -> Extent
Raster Analysis Settings -> Cell Size
Can do once for each model

13. Model 2: Weighted Overlay
Goal:
To Create an Attractiveness Model with ability to “Weight” factors
Method:
Create separate ModelBuilder models for each factor
Nest models into master MB model
Combine with weighted overlay

14. Model 2 Implementation Factor 1: Proximity to Residential
Factor 2: Proximity to Ski Slopes
Created by copying and pasting factor 1 model and adjusting inputs and outputs
Weighting
Factor 1 = 2X Factor 2
Use Spatial Analyst Weighted Overlay tool