Build Boundary (Data Management)

License Level:BasicStandardAdvanced

Summary

Generates the boundary polygon for a mosaic dataset. By default, the boundary merges all the footprint polygons to create a single boundary representing the extent of the valid pixels.

Illustration

Boundary and footprints of a mosaic dataset

Usage

Syntax

BuildBoundary_management (in_mosaic_dataset, {where_clause}, {append_to_existing}, {simplification_method})
ParameterExplanationData Type
in_mosaic_dataset

The mosaic dataset for which the boundary will be calculated.

Mosaic Layer
where_clause
(Optional)

Enter an SQL query if you would like to create a subset of the data, based on attributes.

SQL Expression
append_to_existing
(Optional)

When footprints have been selected, this option determines how the boundary will be modified.

  • OVERWRITERemoves any existing boundary, then creates a newly computed boundary.
  • APPENDAppends the perimeter of footprints to the existing boundary. This can save time when adding additional raster data to the mosaic dataset, as the entire boundary will not be recalculated. If there are rasters selected, the boundary will be recalculated to include only the selected footprints. This is the default.
Boolean
simplification_method
(Optional)

The simplification method reduces the number of vertices, since a dense boundary can affect performance.

Choose which simplification method to use in order to simplify the boundary.

  • NONENo simplification method will be implemented. This is the default.
  • CONVEX_HULLThe minimum bounding geometry of the mosaic dataset will be used to simplify the boundary. If there are any footprints that are disconnected, then a minimum bounding geometry for each continuous group of footprints will be used to simplify the boundary.
  • ENVELOPEThe envelope of the mosaic dataset will provide a simplified boundary. If there are any footprints that are disconnected, then an envelope for each continuous group of footprints will be used to simplify the boundary.
String

Code Sample

BuildBoundary example (Python window)

This is a Python sample for the BuildBoundary tool.

import arcpy
arcpy.BuildBoundary_management("c:/workspace/Boundary.gdb/md", "#", 
                               "APPEND", "CONVEX_HULL")
Build Boundary example 2 (stand-alone window)

This is a Python script for the BuildBoundary tool.

# Build boundary only for the Quickbird data

import arcpy
arcpy.env.workspace = "C:/Workspace"

mdname = "boundary.gdb/md"
query = "SensorName = 'QuickBird'"
mode = "OVERWRITE"
simplify = "#"

arcpy.BuildBoundary_management(mdname, query, mode, simplify)

Environments

Related Topics

Licensing Information

ArcGIS for Desktop Basic: No
ArcGIS for Desktop Standard: Yes
ArcGIS for Desktop Advanced: Yes
11/18/2013