Geographic Information Systems in Action

Chapter 9Constructing Models

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Here is the content you will learn in this chapter:

1. What a GIS model is.
2. The ModelBuilder user interface.
3. What iterators are and how they work.
4. What Model Only Tools are available and how they work.
5. How to execute the tools of ModelBuilder.
6. How to create tools with ModelBuilder.
7. How to create a model in ModelBuilder.
8. How to add tools and data to a model.
9. How to run a model.
10. How to save a model.

BEHAVIORAL INDICATORS

When you are finished with this chapter, you will be able to:

1. Define GIS model.
2. Describe where to find ModelBuilder and demonstrate how to use it.
3. Briefly describe the process of ModelBuilder iterators and what they are used for.
4. List and briefly describe the Model Only tools available for modeling.
5. Demonstrate, using ModelBuilder, the execution of at least one of the ModelBuilder tools.
6. Explain how ModelBuilder can create tools.
7. Demonstrate, using ModelBuilder, the creation of a model.
8. Demonstrate, using ModelBuilder, the addition of tools and data to a model.
9. Demonstrate, using ModelBuilder, how to run a GIS model.
10. Demonstrate how to save a model and explain why this is useful.

Chapter Overview

This chapter introduces you to the idea of complex GIS models. GIS models are created by small analytical steps, each combined in a systematic way to either describe in detail how various spatial components combine to create a given spatial situation or to simulate a process taking place on a portion of Earth. Models can ...