Managing image files using mosaic datasets significantly improves data import speed compared to traditional database storage methods while reducing disk usage. SuperMap iDesktopX supports creating mosaic datasets and provides functions for modifying, optimizing, exporting, and other operations to enhance the display performance of mosaic datasets.

This chapter will introduce the following topics:

• Mosaic Dataset Overview: Introduces the characteristics of mosaic datasets and the preparations needed to use them.
• Build Mosaic Datasets: Explains how to create mosaic datasets, including data preparation and the entire creation process.
• Browse Footprint Attributes: Describes how to browse and read the footprint attribute table. The footprint in a mosaic dataset serves as the foundation for storing and organizing image files; it is a polygon dataset. Each polygon represents the geographic extent of a single image, allowing a global view of image distribution and coverage.
• Optimize Mosaic Datasets: Covers how to optimize mosaic datasets to improve browsing performance, including six functions: creating image pyramids, deleting image pyramids, creating histograms, rebuilding spatial indexes, generating overview images, and performing data checks and optimizations.
• Modify Mosaic Datasets: Explains how to modify mosaic datasets, including adding images, managing mosaic datasets, rebuilding extents, clipping display ranges, reassigning image paths, balancing mosaic dataset colors, and clearing color balance. These functions modify the contents of the mosaic dataset.
• Clear/Export Mosaic Datasets: Explains how to clear or export mosaic datasets. Clearing data removes all records in the mosaic dataset, including deleting overview images. Exporting data allows selected ranges to be exported, facilitating data copying and sharing.
• Display Mosaic Datasets: Explains how to configure the display settings of a mosaic dataset in the desktop environment to achieve better browsing effects.
• View Mosaic Dataset Properties: Describes how to view or modify basic information, coordinate system information, and no-value information of a mosaic dataset.
• No-Value Mosaic Datasets Description: Introduces the significance of no-value settings for mosaic dataset management, how to use them, and provides answers to common issues encountered during use.