topic Re: Problems with hillshades on latest version of ArcGIS Pro in ArcGIS Pro Questions

Problems with hillshades on latest version of ArcGIS Pro

JimScurry — Sat, 18 Jan 2025 16:14:14 GMT

Has anyone had a problem with bizarre hillshade generation in ArcGIS Pro 3.4? I recently downloaded 2019 DEMs from USGS. My previous data was 2008 with both DEMs and hillshades generated directly from LAS point clouds. This time USGS already had DEMs so I figured why go through the process of building a DEM if they already exist?

The DEM seems to be fine but when I generate the hillshade from that DEM, I get a weird waffle iron effect and data voids. The DEM clearly indicates that elevation data are there but querying the hillshade returns a no data value. Below is a screenshot of the DEM shaded red and hillshade in greyscale. As is evident, the DEM shows through the no data areas. Never had this issue before. I tried generating the hillshade from Spatial Analyst, 3D Analyst and the Raster Function and export. I assume they all call the same subroutine but tried anyway, There is no difference.

Has anyone seen this or have any suggestions?

Thanks, Jim

Re: Problems with hillshades on latest version of ArcGIS Pro

DavidPike — Sat, 18 Jan 2025 20:25:16 GMT

What's the coordinate system of the data and your Map Frame? Possibly an issue with not being in a planimetric CRS.

Re: Problems with hillshades on latest version of ArcGIS Pro

AndrewHankinson — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 01:11:15 GMT

Hi @JimScurry

Did you get to the bottom of this? I have experienced the same issue and only recently. The issue is especially obvious when running flow direction and curvature processes.
The DTM I am working with is projected to British National Grid 27700, as is my project, the strange thing is I mentioned this to the supplier of the DTM and he has ran it in QGIS and doesn't get the same output with this gridded effect occurring.

Re: Problems with hillshades on latest version of ArcGIS Pro

JimScurry — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 16:19:31 GMT

Andrew,

I have not gotten to the bottom of the issue. I have recruited other colleagues to try to process the data; some using other software to determine if it is a data issue, an ESRI software issue or an issue with my system and installation.

I have had to put it on the back burner because of other projects but still have it on my list.

Jim

Re: Problems with hillshades on latest version of ArcGIS Pro

AndrewHankinson — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 01:02:18 GMT

Hi Jim,

Thanks for getting back to me, I will let you know if I find anything out.

Re: Problems with hillshades on latest version of ArcGIS Pro

LeahBeltran — Sat, 28 Feb 2026 20:22:31 GMT

Hi all,

I know this is a year later but did either of you figure out the issue? I am currently experiencing something similar.

Best,

Leah

Re: Problems with hillshades on latest version of ArcGIS Pro

JimScurry — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 15:30:10 GMT

I never got a resolution.