Spatial Analysis

Spatial analysis is an analytical technique based on the location and morphology of geographic objects, aiming to extract and convey spatial information. Powerful spatial analysis capabilities are a key feature of GIS.

As spatial data can be categorized into vector data and raster data, the spatial analysis functions in GIS are divided into vector-based spatial analysis and raster-based spatial analysis.

Vector Analysis

Vector analysis functions include buffer analysis, overlay analysis, dynamic segmentation, and more.

  • Buffer Analysis
  • Buffer analysis automatically creates zones of specified width around points, lines, or regions.

  • Overlay Analysis
  • Overlay analysis combines datasets representing different themes to generate a new dataset, integrating attributes from the original layers.

  • Dynamic Segmentation
  • Introduces the principles and concepts of dynamic segmentation, general workflows, route creation, route calibration, event table creation, and management of route-event table relationships.

Raster Analysis

Raster data, with its simple and intuitive structure, is widely used as a foundational spatial data format in GIS. Raster-based spatial analysis is essential for GIS applications.

Raster analysis functions include environment settings, surface analysis, raster statistics, vector-raster conversion, distance raster, interpolation analysis, histograms, hydrology, and raster value query.

  • Set Raster Analysis Environment
  • Configures settings for subsequent raster analyses, including geographic range, clip bounds, and default cell size for result datasets.

  • Surface Analysis
  • Surface analysis derives information or generates surfaces based on raster models. It includes contour extraction and isosurface extraction.

  • Raster Statistics
  • Provides multiple statistical methods to analyze cell values in raster data.

  • Vector-Raster Conversion
  • Converts between vector and raster data and performs raster thinning.

  • Distance Raster
  • Calculates spatial or cost distances from each cell to neighboring sources. Supports distance calculation, shortest path analysis, and cost distance measurement.

  • Interpolation Analysis
  • Estimates values for unsampled points using sampled data, generating a continuous surface where every point has a calculated value.

  • Raster Histogram
  • Explains how to use histograms for raster data statistics.

  • Hydrology
  • Analyzes hydrological features of raster data, including sink filling, flow direction, flow length, cumulative flow accumulation, and stream network extraction.

  • Query Raster Value
  • Retrieves raster values at cursor positions, including datasource, dataset, coordinates, row/column numbers, and cell value.