Curvature (3D Analyst)

License Level:BasicStandardAdvanced

Summary

Calculates the curvature of a raster surface, optionally including profile and plan curvature.

Learn more about how Curvature works

Usage

Syntax

Curvature_3d (in_raster, out_curvature_raster, {z_factor}, {out_profile_curve_raster}, {out_plan_curve_raster})
ParameterExplanationData Type
in_raster

The input surface raster.

Raster Layer
out_curvature_raster

The output curvature raster.

Raster Dataset
z_factor
(Optional)

Number of ground x,y units in one surface z unit.

The z-factor adjusts the units of measure for the z units when they are different from the x,y units of the input surface. The z-values of the input surface are multiplied by the z-factor when calculating the final output surface.

If the x,y units and z units are in the same units of measure, the z-factor is 1. This is the default.

If the x,y units and z units are in different units of measure, the z-factor must be set to the appropriate factor, or the results will be incorrect. For example, if your z units are feet and your x,y units are meters, you would use a z-factor of 0.3048 to convert your z units from feet to meters (1 foot = 0.3048 meter).

Double
out_profile_curve_raster
(Optional)

Output profile curve raster dataset.

This is the curvature of the surface in the direction of slope.

Raster Dataset
out_plan_curve_raster
(Optional)

Output plan curve raster dataset.

This is the curvature of the surface perpendicular to the slope direction.

Raster Dataset

Code Sample

Curvature example 1 (Python window)

This example creates a curvature raster from an input surface raster and also applies a z-factor.

import arcpy
from arcpy import env
env.workspace = "C:/data"
arcpy.Curvature_3d("elevation", "c:/output/outcurv01", 1.094)
Curvature example 2 (stand-alone script)

This example creates a curvature raster from an input surface raster and also applies a z-factor.

# Name: Curvature_3d_Ex_02.py
# Description: Calculates the curvature of a raster surface, 
#              optionally including profile and plan curvature.
# Requirements: 3D Analyst Extension

# Import system modules
import arcpy
from arcpy import env

# Set environment settings
env.workspace = "C:/data"

# Set local variables
inRaster = "elevation"
outRaster = "C:/output/outcurv02"
zFactor = 1.094

# Check out the ArcGIS 3D Analyst extension license
arcpy.CheckOutExtension("3D")

# Execute Curvature
arcpy.Curvature_3d(inRaster, outRaster, 1.094)

Environments

Related Topics

Licensing Information

ArcGIS for Desktop Basic: Requires 3D Analyst or Spatial Analyst
ArcGIS for Desktop Standard: Requires 3D Analyst or Spatial Analyst
ArcGIS for Desktop Advanced: Requires 3D Analyst or Spatial Analyst
11/8/2012