Converting tile cache service layer to /ImageServer so we can run raster analyses (e.g. Raster Calculator) in ArcGIS Pro

[coryeicher]

Hello,

We are designing a solution that will allow endusers to both view and analyze imagery in ArcGIS Pro.

• Viewing --> The imagery are available as an Esri tile cache layer, so that our solution.
• Analysis --> We are looking for some guidance on how to support. An example analysis task would be using imagery as input to the "Raster Calculator" Geoprocessing tool in ArcGIS Pro.

From what I can tell, an Esri tile cache layer cannot be used for analysis in ArcGIS Pro, but there are some other types of service layers which can. These include a) a Tiled imagery layer or b) an Imagery layer. Both of these are `/ImageServer` service layers.

Questions:

1. Can an Esri tile cache layer be used to generate a) or b)? Could it be used to _generate data_ which can then be published as a) or b)? What tools could we use to do this?
2. Does ArcGIS Pro support WCS service layers for Viewing? For Analysis (e.g. Raster Calculator)?

• https://enterprise.arcgis.com/en/server/latest/publish-services/linux/wcs-services.htm

In terms of products we have Portal, Pro, and ArcGIS Enterprise at our disposal, and we are open to other Esri technology/products/developer APIs in this solution.

Thanks!

-Cory

[JonM32]

@coryeicher

As far as I know, you're correct with that a tile cache layer can't be used for analysis. This is because as soon as you cache the source imagery to create a cached service, it compresses it and will essentially "dumbdown" the imagery - meaning the digital numbers for each cell are altered, allowing it to load fast/smaller disk size, but loses its ability to be used confidently in analysis workflows.

Terminology - what I think you're talking about

• Your A is a map service
• Your B is an image service

As for your questions

1) You can load a service into a mosaic dataset (MD) and then generate A and likely B [personally haven't tried this but I don't see why not]. One way you can try is creating a MD, loading the cached service you have of the imagery into it, and then you can generate A or B. This isn't a loophole to then use the raster calculator on the service - since your data is still compressed being cached. 

• This documentation from Esri has everything you'll need to know about tools to make MDs
• All the work I'm referring to is done in ArcGIS Pro

2) I'm going to go with yes, WCS is supported. I looked at one of my image services in ArcGIS Server Manager and from there, you can configure it to use WCS. With that being said, I'd image Pro would be able to view it. Not sure about the analysis part.

Cheers,

Jon

[coryeicher]

Thank you Jon. This is helpful. I appreciate the detailed information.