Aspect (3D Analyst)

License Level:BasicStandardAdvanced

Summary

Derives aspect from a raster surface. The aspect identifies the downslope direction of the maximum rate of change in value from each cell to its neighbors.

Aspect can be thought of as the slope direction. The values of the output raster will be the compass direction of the aspect.

Learn more about how Aspect works

Illustration

Aspect illustration
Aspect_3d (InRas1, OutRas)

Usage

Syntax

Aspect_3d (in_raster, out_raster)
ParameterExplanationData Type
in_raster

The input surface raster.

Raster Layer
out_raster

The output aspect raster.

Raster Dataset

Code Sample

Aspect example 1 (Python window)

This example creates an aspect raster from an input surface raster.

import arcpy
from arcpy import env  
env.workspace = "C:/data"
arcpy.Aspect_3d("elevation", "C:/output/outaspect.img")
Aspect example 2 (stand-alone script)

This example creates an aspect raster from an input surface raster.

# Name: Aspect_3d_Ex_02.py
# Description: Derives aspect from a raster surface.
# 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"
outAspect = "C:/output/outaspect2"

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

# Execute Aspect
arcpy.Aspect_3d(inRaster, outAspect)

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