Dr.

Altaf Ali Siyal

LAB# 08
OBJECT:

Composite different bands of a satellite image

Objectives: i. To learn how to composite different bands

Outcome:

Students will be able to make a multiband composite in ArcGIS

Material Required: Workstation with ArcGIS software, Landsat satellite imagery

Description:
Once you have downloaded and uncompressed all of the data layers for a single multispectral
satellite image, you need to assemble them into one file. You can perform this operation from
either ArcTools or the Image Analysis extension of ArcGIS. In either case you will assemble
the data using a layer stack.
When you navigate to the subdirectory containing your data, select each data layer in order,
beginning with band one. It is very important to place the data in the correct order, band
one followed by band two, etc.! Enter a new file name for the output image. Consider using
a naming convention that incorporates the image date, i.e. yyyymmdd.tif. This process will
take some time. You can monitor the progress in the lower left corner of the ArcGIS window.
Procedure:
1. Using ArcTools
i.

From ArcTools select Data Management Tools Raster Raster Processing

Composite Bands.

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Dr. Altaf Ali Siyal

ii.

In the Composite Bands window enter the data layers in order.

iii. When entering the output filename, it is very important to include the file extension
.tif to create your image.
iv. If you do not include this file extension, ArcTools will create a grid file by default

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