Make Raster Layer (Data Management)

Summary

Creates a raster layer from an input raster dataset or layer file. The layer created by the tool is temporary and will not persist after the session ends unless the layer is saved to disk or the map document is saved.

This tool can be used to make a temporary layer, so you can work with a specified subset of bands within a raster dataset.

Usage

  • To persist your layer, right-click the layer in the Contents Pane and click Save As Layer File, or use the Save To Layer File tool.

  • The output can be created with only a subset of the bands. This will help save time and disk space.

  • You can use a raster layer from a GeoPackage as the input. To reference a raster within a GeoPackage, type the name of the path, followed by the name of the GeoPackage and the name of the raster. For example, c:\data\sample.gpkg\raster_tile would be your input raster, where sample.gpkg is the name of the GeoPackage and raster_tile is the raster dataset within the package.

Syntax

arcpy.management.MakeRasterLayer(in_raster, out_rasterlayer, {where_clause}, {envelope}, {band_index})
ParameterExplanationData Type
in_raster

The path and name of the input raster dataset.

You can use a raster layer from a GeoPackage as the input. To reference a raster within a GeoPackage, type the name of the path, followed by the name of the GeoPackage and the name of the raster. For example, c:\data\sample.gpkg\raster_tile would be your input raster, where sample.gpkg is the name of the GeoPackage and raster_tile is the raster dataset within the package.

Composite Geodataset
out_rasterlayer

The name of the layer to create.

Raster Layer
where_clause
(Optional)

Using SQL, you can define a query.

SQL Expression
envelope
(Optional)

The output extent can be specified by defining the four coordinates or by using the extent of an existing layer.

  • MAXOF—The maximum extent of all inputs will be used.
  • MINOF—The minimum area common to all inputs will be used.
  • DISPLAY—The extent is equal to the visible display.
  • Layer name—The extent of the specified layer will be used.
  • Extent object—The extent of the specified object will be used.
  • Space delimited string of coordinates—The extent of the specified string will be used. Coordinates are expressed in the order of x-min, y-min, x-max, y-max.
Extent
band_index
[band_index,...]
(Optional)

Choose which bands to export for the layer. If no bands are specified, all the bands will be used in the output.

Value Table

Code sample

MakeRasterLayer example 1 (Python window)

This is a Python sample for the MakeRasterLayer tool.

import arcpy
arcpy.MakeRasterLayer_management("c:/workspace/image.tif", "rdlayer", "#", "feature.shp", "1")
MakeRasterLayer example 2 (stand-alone script)

This is a Python script sample for MakeRasterLayer tool.

##====================================
##Make Raster Layer
##Usage: MakeRasterLayer_management in_raster out_rasterlayer {where_clause} {envelope}
##                                  {Index;Index...}
    
import arcpy

arcpy.env.workspace = r"C:/Workspace"

##Create raster layer from single raster dataset with clipping feature
arcpy.MakeRasterLayer_management("image.tif", "rdlayer", "#", "feature.shp", "1")

Licensing information

  • Basic: Yes
  • Standard: Yes
  • Advanced: Yes

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