Building pyramids using geoprocessing tools

There are several geoprocessing tools that allow you to build pyramids for raster datasets. You can even chain them together with other tools in models or create a Python script.

• Use Build Pyramids if you have a single raster dataset.
• Use Batch Build Pyramids, if you have multiple raster datasets, to build pyramids for more than one raster at a time.
• Use Build Pyramids And Statistics if you have a folder or collection of folders, a raster catalog containing raster datasets, or a mosaic dataset for which you need to build pyramids.

Pyramids are created for the whole raster dataset, including all bands.

When you build pyramids using a mosaic dataset or raster catalog as the input, the pyramids are built for each raster dataset within them. Pyramids cannot be built for a raster catalog; however, you can build overviews for a mosaic dataset, which are similar to raster dataset pyramids.

The desired pyramid levels, the resampling technique, and the compression type are set on the Environment Settings dialog box in the Raster Storage Settings section.