Create Viewshed

URL:: https://<root>/<serviceName>/RasterAnalysisTools/GPServer/CreateViewshed
Methods:: GET
Version Introduced:: 10.5

Description

The CreateViewshed task uses an elevation surface and observer locations to identify areas where the observers can see the observed objects and the observed objects can see the observers.

Request parameters

The following table lists the parameters with syntax and details for each:

Parameter Details

Parameter	Details
`inputElevationSurface` (Required)	The input elevation surface for calculating the viewshed. Syntax: This parameter can be specified as a portal item ID, a URL to a raster image service layer, a cloud raster dataset, or a shared raster dataset. Examples: Use dark colors for code blocksCopy `1 2 3 4 5 //Input surface raster as portal item "inputElevationSurface": {"itemId": <portal item id>} //Input surface raster as URL "inputElevationSurface": {"url": <image service layer url>}`
`inputObserverFeatures` (Required)	The input observer locations features. Syntax: This parameter can be specified as a URL to a feature service layer with an optional filter to select specific features, or a feature collection. Input feature examples: Use dark colors for code blocksCopy `1 2 3 4 5 //Feature layer URL "inputObserverFeatures": {"url": <feature service layer url>, "filter": <where clause>} //Feature collection "inputObserverFeatures": {"layerDefinition": {}, "featureSet", {}, "filter": <where clause>}`
`outputName` (Required)	The name of the output image service that will be created. You can specify the name, or you can create an empty service using Portal Admin Sharing API and use the return JSON object as input to this parameter. Syntax: A JSON object describes the name of the output or the output raster. Output name example: Use dark colors for code blocksCopy `1 "outputName":{"serviceProperties":{"name":"testrasteranalysis"}}` Output raster examples: Use dark colors for code blocksCopy `1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 //Output portal item: "outputName":{"itemId": <portal item id>} //Output url: "outputName":{"url": <image service url} //Output raster layer service: "outputName":{"serviceProperties": {"name":"testrasteranalysis", "serviceUrl":"https://<server name>/server/rest/services/Hosted/testrasteranalysis/ImageServer"}, "itemProperties":{"itemId":"8cfbd3ec25584d0d8f4ed23b8ff7c43b","folderId":"sdfwerfbd3ec25584d0d8f4"} }`
`optimizeFor`	Specifies the optimization method that will be used to calculate the viewshed. The options are as follows: `SPEED`—Processing speed will be optimized, trading some accuracy in the result for higher performance. This is the default. `ACCURACY`—Accuracy will be optimized, at the expense of a longer processing time. Syntax: A string describing the optimization method. Example: Use dark colors for code blocksCopy `1 "optimizeFor": "ACCURACY"`
`maximumViewingDistance`	The cutoff distance where the computation of visible areas stops. Beyond this distance, it is unknown whether the analysis points and the other objects can see each other. The value must be supplied through either the `maximumViewingDistance` parameter or the `maximumViewingDistanceField` parameter. Syntax: A linear unit specifying the distance and units. Supported units: `Meters` \| `Kilometers` \| `Feet` \| `Yards` \| `Miles` \| `FeetInt` \| `YardsInt` \| `MilesInt` Example: Use dark colors for code blocksCopy `1 "maximumViewingDistance": {"distance": <value>, "units": <unit>}`
`maximumViewingDistanceField`	A field that specifies the maximum viewing distance for each observer. You can use any numerical field from the input observer point features. The value contained in this field must be in the same unit as the x,y unit of the input elevation surface. Syntax: A string that represents a field name. Example: Use dark colors for code blocksCopy `1 "maximumViewingDistanceField": radius2`
`minimumViewingDistance`	The distance where the computation of visible areas begins. The value must be supplied through either the `minimumViewingDistance` parameter or the `minimumViewingDistanceField` parameter. Syntax: A linear unit specifying the distance and units. Supported units: `Meters` \| `Kilometers` \| `Feet` \| `Yards` \| `Miles` \| `FeetInt` \| `YardsInt` \| `MilesInt` Example: Use dark colors for code blocksCopy `1 "minimumViewingDistance": {"distance": <value>, "units": <units>}`
`minimumViewingDistanceField`	A field that specifies the minimum viewing distance for each observer. You can use any numerical field from the input observer point features. The value contained in this field must be in the same unit as the x,y unit of the input elevation surface. Syntax: A string that represents a field name. Example: Use dark colors for code blocksCopy `1 "minimumViewingDistanceField": radius1`
`viewingDistanceIs3D`	Specifies whether the `minimumViewingDistance` and `maximumViewingDistance` input parameters will be measured in a three-dimensional or two-dimensional way. Syntax: A Boolean value as either `true` or `false` . `true`—The viewing distances will be measured in 3D. `false`—The viewing distances will be measured in 2D. This is the default.
`observersElevation`	The elevation of the observer locations. The value must be supplied through either the `observersElevation` parameter or the `observersElevationField` parameter. Syntax: A linear unit specifying the elevation and units. Supported units: `Meters` \| `Kilometers` \| `Feet` \| `Yards` \| `Miles` \| `FeetInt` \| `YardsInt` \| `MilesInt` Example: Use dark colors for code blocksCopy `1 "observersElevation": {"distance": <value>, "units": <unit>}`
`observersElevationField`	A field that specifies the elevation for the observers. You can use any numerical field from the input observer point features. The value contained in this field must be in the same unit as the z-unit of the input elevation surface. Syntax: A string that represents a field name. Example: Use dark colors for code blocksCopy `1 "observersElevationField": spot`
`observersHeight`	The height above ground of the observer locations. The value must be supplied through either the `observersHeight` or `observersHeightField` parameters. During the viewshed calculation, this value is added to the observer elevation if it is specified; otherwise, it is added to the interpolated surface z-value. Syntax: A linear unit specifying the height and units. Supported units: `Meters` \| `Kilometers` \| `Feet` \| `Yards` \| `Miles` \| `FeetInt` \| `YardsInt` \| `MilesInt` Example: Use dark colors for code blocksCopy `1 "observersHeight": {"distance": <value>, "units": <unit>}`
`observersHeightField`	A field that specifies the height for the observers. You can use any numerical field from the input observer point features. The value contained in this field must be in the same unit as the z-unit of the input elevation surface. Syntax: A string that represents a field name. Example: Use dark colors for code blocksCopy `1 "observersHeightField": offseta`
`targetHeight`	The height of structures, or people on the ground, that will be used to establish visibility. The value must be supplied through either the `targetHeight` parameter or the `targetHeightField` parameter. Syntax: A linear unit specifying the height and units. Supported units: `Meters` \| `Kilometers` \| `Feet` \| `Yards` \| `Miles` \| `FeetInt` \| `YardsInt` \| `MilesInt` Example: Use dark colors for code blocksCopy `1 "targetHeight": {"distance": <value>, "units": <unit>}`
`targetHeightField`	A field that specifies the height for the targets. You can use any numerical field from the input observer point features. The value contained in this field must be in the same unit as the z-unit of the input elevation surface. Syntax: A string that represents a field name. Example: Use dark colors for code blocksCopy `1 "targetHeightField": offsetb`
`aboveGroundLevelOutputName`	The optional above ground level output image service name. You can specify the name, or you can create an empty service using Portal Admin Sharing API and use the return JSON object as input to this parameter. Syntax: A JSON object describes the name of the output or the output raster. Output name example: Use dark colors for code blocksCopy `1 "aboveGroundLevelOutputName":{"serviceProperties":{"name":"testagl"}}` Output raster examples: Use dark colors for code blocksCopy `1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 //Output Portal item "aboveGroundLevelOutputName":{"itemId": <portal item id>} //Output URL "aboveGroundLevelOutputName":{"url": <image service url} //Output raster layer service "aboveGroundLevelOutputName":{"serviceProperties": {"name":"testagl", "serviceUrl":"https://<server name>/server/rest/services/Hosted/testrasteranalysis/ImageServer"}, "itemProperties":{"itemID":"8cfbd3ec25584d0d8f4ed23b8ff7c43b","folderId":"sdfwerfbd3ec25584d0d8f4"} }`
`verticalError`	The amount of uncertainty (the root mean square error, or RMS error) in the surface elevation values. It is a linear unit value representing the expected error of the input elevation values. Syntax: A linear unit specifying the vertical error. Supported units: `Meters` \| `Kilometers` \| `Feet` \| `Yards` \| `Miles` \| `FeetInt` \| `YardsInt` \| `MilesInt` Example: Use dark colors for code blocksCopy `1 "verticalError": {"distance": <value>, "units": <unit>}`
`refractivityCoefficient`	The coefficient of the refraction of visible light in air. Syntax: A numerical value specifying the refractivity coefficient. Example: Use dark colors for code blocksCopy `1 "refractivityCoefficient": 0.13`
`horizontalStartAngle`	The start angle of the horizontal scan range. The value is specified in degrees from 0 to 360, either as integer or floating point, with 0 oriented to north. You can select a field in the input observers dataset, or you can specify a numerical value. Syntax: A string that represents a field name or a numerical value. Example: Use dark colors for code blocksCopy `1 "horizontalStartAngle": azimuth1`
`horizontalEndAngle`	The end angle of the horizontal scan range. The value is specified in degrees from 0 to 360, either as integer or floating point, with 0 oriented to north. You can select a field in the input observers dataset, or you can specify a numerical value. Syntax: A string that represents a field name or a numerical value. Example: Use dark colors for code blocksCopy `1 "horizontalEndAngle": azimuth2`
`verticalUpperAngle`	The upper vertical angle limit of the scan relative to the horizontal plane. The value is specified in degrees and can be integer or floating point. The allowed range is from above -90 up to and including 90. You can select a field in the input observers dataset, or you can specify a numerical value. Syntax: A string that represents a field name or a numerical value. Example: Use dark colors for code blocksCopy `1 "verticalUpperAngle": vert1`
`verticalLowerAngle`	The lower vertical angle limit of the scan relative to the horizontal plane. The value is specified in degrees and can be integer or floating point. The allowed range is from above -90 up to and including 90. You can select a field in the input observers dataset, or you can specify a numerical value. Syntax: A string that represents a field name or a numerical value. Example: Use dark colors for code blocksCopy `1 "verticalLowerAngle": vert2`
`context`	Contains additional settings that affect task processing. This task has the following settings: Extent (`extent` )—A bounding box that defines the analysis area. Output Spatial Reference (`outSR` )—The output raster will be projected into the output spatial reference. Snap Raster (`snapRaster` )—The output raster will have its cells aligned with the specified snap raster. Cell Size (`cellSize` )—The output raster will have the resolution specified by cell size. Mask (`mask`)—Only cells that fall within the analysis mask will be considered in the operation.
`f`	The response format. The default response format is `html` . Values: `html \| json \| pjson`

inputElevationSurface

(Required)

The input elevation surface for calculating the viewshed.

Syntax: This parameter can be specified as a portal item ID, a URL to a raster image service layer, a cloud raster dataset, or a shared raster dataset.

Examples:

Use dark colors for code blocksCopy
//Input surface raster as portal item
"inputElevationSurface": {"itemId": <portal item id>}

//Input surface raster as URL
"inputElevationSurface": {"url": <image service layer url>}

inputObserverFeatures

(Required)

The input observer locations features.

Syntax: This parameter can be specified as a URL to a feature service layer with an optional filter to select specific features, or a feature collection.

Input feature examples:

Use dark colors for code blocksCopy
//Feature layer URL
"inputObserverFeatures": {"url": <feature service layer url>, "filter": <where clause>}

//Feature collection
"inputObserverFeatures": {"layerDefinition": {}, "featureSet", {}, "filter": <where clause>}

outputName

(Required)

The name of the output image service that will be created.

You can specify the name, or you can create an empty service using Portal Admin Sharing API and use the return JSON object as input to this parameter.

Syntax: A JSON object describes the name of the output or the output raster.

Output name example:

Use dark colors for code blocksCopy
"outputName":{"serviceProperties":{"name":"testrasteranalysis"}}

Output raster examples:

Use dark colors for code blocksCopy
//Output portal item:
"outputName":{"itemId": <portal item id>}

//Output url:
"outputName":{"url": <image service url}

//Output raster layer service:
"outputName":{"serviceProperties":
  {"name":"testrasteranalysis",
    "serviceUrl":"https://<server name>/server/rest/services/Hosted/testrasteranalysis/ImageServer"},
  "itemProperties":{"itemId":"8cfbd3ec25584d0d8f4ed23b8ff7c43b","folderId":"sdfwerfbd3ec25584d0d8f4"}
}

optimizeFor

Specifies the optimization method that will be used to calculate the viewshed.

The options are as follows:

SPEED—Processing speed will be optimized, trading some accuracy in the result for higher performance. This is the default.
ACCURACY—Accuracy will be optimized, at the expense of a longer processing time.

Syntax: A string describing the optimization method.

Example:

Use dark colors for code blocksCopy
"optimizeFor": "ACCURACY"

maximumViewingDistance

The cutoff distance where the computation of visible areas stops. Beyond this distance, it is unknown whether the analysis points and the other objects can see each other.

The value must be supplied through either the maximumViewingDistance parameter or the maximumViewingDistanceField parameter.

Syntax: A linear unit specifying the distance and units.

Example:

Use dark colors for code blocksCopy
"maximumViewingDistance": {"distance": <value>, "units": <unit>}

maximumViewingDistanceField

A field that specifies the maximum viewing distance for each observer. You can use any numerical field from the input observer point features.

The value contained in this field must be in the same unit as the x,y unit of the input elevation surface.

Syntax: A string that represents a field name.

Example:

Use dark colors for code blocksCopy
"maximumViewingDistanceField": radius2

minimumViewingDistance

The distance where the computation of visible areas begins.

The value must be supplied through either the minimumViewingDistance parameter or the minimumViewingDistanceField parameter.

Syntax: A linear unit specifying the distance and units.

Example:

Use dark colors for code blocksCopy
"minimumViewingDistance": {"distance": <value>, "units": <units>}

minimumViewingDistanceField

A field that specifies the minimum viewing distance for each observer.

You can use any numerical field from the input observer point features. The value contained in this field must be in the same unit as the x,y unit of the input elevation surface.

Syntax: A string that represents a field name.

Example:

Use dark colors for code blocksCopy
"minimumViewingDistanceField": radius1

viewingDistanceIs3D

Specifies whether the minimumViewingDistance and maximumViewingDistance input parameters will be measured in a three-dimensional or two-dimensional way.

Syntax: A Boolean value as either true or false .

true—The viewing distances will be measured in 3D.
false—The viewing distances will be measured in 2D. This is the default.

observersElevation

The elevation of the observer locations.

The value must be supplied through either the observersElevation parameter or the observersElevationField parameter.

Syntax: A linear unit specifying the elevation and units.

Example:

Use dark colors for code blocksCopy
"observersElevation": {"distance": <value>, "units": <unit>}

observersElevationField

A field that specifies the elevation for the observers.

You can use any numerical field from the input observer point features. The value contained in this field must be in the same unit as the z-unit of the input elevation surface.

Syntax: A string that represents a field name.

Example:

Use dark colors for code blocksCopy
"observersElevationField": spot

observersHeight

The height above ground of the observer locations.

The value must be supplied through either the observersHeight or observersHeightField parameters. During the viewshed calculation, this value is added to the observer elevation if it is specified; otherwise, it is added to the interpolated surface z-value.

Syntax: A linear unit specifying the height and units.

Example:

Use dark colors for code blocksCopy
"observersHeight": {"distance": <value>, "units": <unit>}

observersHeightField

A field that specifies the height for the observers. You can use any numerical field from the input observer point features.

The value contained in this field must be in the same unit as the z-unit of the input elevation surface.

Syntax: A string that represents a field name.

Example:

Use dark colors for code blocksCopy
"observersHeightField": offseta

targetHeight

The height of structures, or people on the ground, that will be used to establish visibility.

The value must be supplied through either the targetHeight parameter or the targetHeightField parameter.

Syntax: A linear unit specifying the height and units.

Example:

Use dark colors for code blocksCopy
"targetHeight": {"distance": <value>, "units": <unit>}

targetHeightField

A field that specifies the height for the targets. You can use any numerical field from the input observer point features.

The value contained in this field must be in the same unit as the z-unit of the input elevation surface.

Syntax: A string that represents a field name.

Example:

Use dark colors for code blocksCopy
"targetHeightField": offsetb

aboveGroundLevelOutputName

The optional above ground level output image service name.

You can specify the name, or you can create an empty service using Portal Admin Sharing API and use the return JSON object as input to this parameter.

Syntax: A JSON object describes the name of the output or the output raster.

Output name example:

Use dark colors for code blocksCopy
"aboveGroundLevelOutputName":{"serviceProperties":{"name":"testagl"}}

Output raster examples:

Use dark colors for code blocksCopy
//Output Portal item
"aboveGroundLevelOutputName":{"itemId": <portal item id>}

//Output URL
"aboveGroundLevelOutputName":{"url": <image service url}

//Output raster layer service
"aboveGroundLevelOutputName":{"serviceProperties":
  {"name":"testagl",
  "serviceUrl":"https://<server name>/server/rest/services/Hosted/testrasteranalysis/ImageServer"},
  "itemProperties":{"itemID":"8cfbd3ec25584d0d8f4ed23b8ff7c43b","folderId":"sdfwerfbd3ec25584d0d8f4"}
}

verticalError

The amount of uncertainty (the root mean square error, or RMS error) in the surface elevation values. It is a linear unit value representing the expected error of the input elevation values.

Syntax: A linear unit specifying the vertical error.

Example:

Use dark colors for code blocksCopy
"verticalError": {"distance": <value>, "units": <unit>}

refractivityCoefficient

The coefficient of the refraction of visible light in air.

Syntax: A numerical value specifying the refractivity coefficient.

Example:

Use dark colors for code blocksCopy
"refractivityCoefficient": 0.13

horizontalStartAngle

The start angle of the horizontal scan range. The value is specified in degrees from 0 to 360, either as integer or floating point, with 0 oriented to north.

You can select a field in the input observers dataset, or you can specify a numerical value.

Syntax: A string that represents a field name or a numerical value.

Example:

Use dark colors for code blocksCopy
"horizontalStartAngle": azimuth1

horizontalEndAngle

The end angle of the horizontal scan range. The value is specified in degrees from 0 to 360, either as integer or floating point, with 0 oriented to north.

You can select a field in the input observers dataset, or you can specify a numerical value.

Syntax: A string that represents a field name or a numerical value.

Example:

Use dark colors for code blocksCopy
"horizontalEndAngle": azimuth2

verticalUpperAngle

The upper vertical angle limit of the scan relative to the horizontal plane. The value is specified in degrees and can be integer or floating point. The allowed range is from above -90 up to and including 90.

You can select a field in the input observers dataset, or you can specify a numerical value.

Syntax: A string that represents a field name or a numerical value.

Example:

Use dark colors for code blocksCopy
"verticalUpperAngle": vert1

verticalLowerAngle

The lower vertical angle limit of the scan relative to the horizontal plane. The value is specified in degrees and can be integer or floating point. The allowed range is from above -90 up to and including 90.

You can select a field in the input observers dataset, or you can specify a numerical value.

Syntax: A string that represents a field name or a numerical value.

Example:

Use dark colors for code blocksCopy
"verticalLowerAngle": vert2

context

Contains additional settings that affect task processing. This task has the following settings:

Extent (extent )—A bounding box that defines the analysis area.
Output Spatial Reference (outSR )—The output raster will be projected into the output spatial reference.
Snap Raster (snapRaster )—The output raster will have its cells aligned with the specified snap raster.
Cell Size (cellSize )—The output raster will have the resolution specified by cell size.
Mask (mask)—Only cells that fall within the analysis mask will be considered in the operation.

f

The response format. The default response format is html .

Values: html | json | pjson

Response

When you submit a request, the task assigns a unique job ID for the transaction.

Use dark colors for code blocksCopy
{
  "jobId": "<unique job identifier>",
  "jobStatus": "<job status>"
}

After the initial request is submitted, you can use the jobId to periodically check the status of the job and messages as described in Checking job status. Once the job has successfully completed, you use the jobId to retrieve the results. To track the status, you can make a request of the following form:

Use dark colors for code blocksCopy
https://<raster analysis tools url>/CreateViewshed/jobs/<jobId>

When the status of the job request is esriJobSucceeded , you can access the results of the analysis by making a request of the following form:

Use dark colors for code blocksCopy
https://<raster analysis tools url>/CreateViewshed/jobs/<jobId>/results/<output parameters>

Example usage

The following is a sample request URL for CreateViewshed :

Use dark colors for code blocksCopy
https://services.myserver.com/arcgis/rest/services/System/RasterAnalysisTools/GPServer/CreateViewshed/submitJob

JSON Response syntax

The response returns the outputRaster output parameter, which has properties for parameter name, data type, and value. The content of value is always the output raster dataset itemId and the image service URL.

Use dark colors for code blocksCopy
{
  "paramName": <parameter name>,
  "dataType": "GPString",
  "value": {
    "itemId": <item Id>,
    "url": <URL>
  }
}

JSON Response example

Use dark colors for code blocksCopy
{
  "paramName": "outRaster",
  "dataType": "GPString",
  "value": {
    "itemId": "f121390b85ef419790479fc75b493efd",
    "url": "https://<server name>/arcgis/rest/services/Hosted/<service name>/ImageServer"
  }
}

ArcGIS REST APIs

Create Viewshed

Was this page helpful?