Train Support Vector Machine Classifier (Image Analyst)

ArcGIS Pro 3.4 | | Help archive

Available with Spatial Analyst license.

Available with Image Analyst license.

Summary

Generates an Esri classifier definition file (.ecd) using the Support Vector Machine (SVM) classification definition.

Usage

  • The SVM classifier is a supervised classification method. It is well suited for segmented raster input but can also handle standard imagery. It is a classification method commonly used in the research community.

  • For standard image inputs, the tool accepts multiband imagery with any bit depth, and it will perform the SVM classification on a pixel basis, based on the input training feature file.

  • For segmented rasters that have their key property set to Segmented, the tool computes the index image and associated segment attributes from the RGB segmented raster. The attributes are computed to generate the classifier definition file to be used in a separate classification tool. The attributes for each segment can be computed from any Esri-supported image.

  • There are several advantages to using the SVM classifier rather than the maximum likelihood classification method:

    • The SVM classifier needs fewer samples and does not require the samples to be normally distributed.
    • It is less susceptible to noise, correlated bands, and an unbalanced number or size of training sites within each class.

  • Any Esri-supported raster is accepted as input, including raster products, segmented rasters, mosaics, image services, or generic raster datasets. Segmented rasters must be 8-bit rasters with 3 bands.

  • To create the training sample file, use the Training Samples Manager pane from the Classification Tools drop-down menu.

  • The Segment Attributes parameter is only active if one of the raster layer inputs is a segmented image.

  • To classify time series raster data using the Continuous Change Detection and Classification (CCDC) algorithm, first run the Analyze Changes Using CCDC tool. Then use the output change analysis raster as the input raster for this training tool.

    The training sample data must have been collected at multiple times using the Training Samples Manager. The dimension value for each sample is listed in a field in the training sample feature class, which is specified in the Dimension Value Field parameter.

Parameters

LabelExplanationData Type
Input Raster

The raster dataset to classify.

The preferred input is a 3-band, 8-bit segmented raster dataset in which all the pixels in the same segment have the same color. The input can also be a 1-band, 8-bit grayscale segmented raster. If no segmented raster is available, you can use any Esri-supported raster dataset.

Raster Layer; Mosaic Layer; Image Service; String
Input Training Sample File

The training sample file or layer that delineates the training sites.

These can be either shapefiles or feature classes that contain the training samples. The following field names are required in the training sample file:

  • classname—A text field indicating the name of the class category
  • classvalue—A long integer field containing the integer value for each class category

Feature Layer
Output Classifier Definition File

The output JSON format file that will contain attribute information, statistics, hyperplane vectors, and other information for the classifier. An .ecd file will be created.

File
Additional Input Raster
(Optional)

Ancillary raster datasets, such as a multispectral image or a DEM, will be incorporated to generate attributes and other required information for classification. This parameter is optional.

Raster Layer; Mosaic Layer; Image Service; String
Maximum Number of Samples Per Class
(Optional)

The maximum number of samples that will be used to define each class.

The default value of 500 is recommended when the inputs are nonsegmented rasters. A value that is less than or equal to 0 means that the system will use all the samples from the training sites to train the classifier.

Long
Segment Attributes Used
(Optional)

Specifies the attributes that will be included in the attribute table associated with the output raster.

This parameter is only active if the Segmented key property is set to true on the input raster. If the only input to the tool is a segmented image, the default attributes are Converged color, Count of pixels, Compactness, and Rectangularity. If an Additional Input Raster value is included as an input with a segmented image, Mean digital number and Standard deviation are also available attributes.

  • Converged colorThe RGB color values will be derived from the input raster on a per-segment basis. This is also known as average chromaticity color.
  • Mean digital numberThe average digital number (DN) will be derived from the optional pixel image on a per-segment basis.
  • Standard deviationThe standard deviation will be derived from the optional pixel image on a per-segment basis.
  • Count of pixelsThe number of pixels composing the segment, on a per-segment basis.
  • CompactnessThe degree to which a segment is compact or circular, on a per-segment basis. The values range from 0 to 1, in which 1 is a circle.
  • RectangularityThe degree to which the segment is rectangular, on a per-segment basis. The values range from 0 to 1, in which 1 is a rectangle.
String
Dimension Value Field
(Optional)

Contains dimension values in the input training sample feature class.

This parameter is required to classify a time series of raster data using the change analysis raster output from the Analyze Changes Using CCDC tool.

Field

Licensing information

  • Basic: Requires Image Analyst or Spatial Analyst
  • Standard: Requires Image Analyst or Spatial Analyst
  • Advanced: Requires Image Analyst or Spatial Analyst

Related topics