ArcGIS Data Flow Diagram Examples

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See also: Data Flow Diagrams (overview)

See also: Non-GIS DFD examples

(the basic format for a DFD)

Below are some simple DFD examples of common GeoProcessing tasks performed in ArcGIS. Note that some tasks require a single INPUT, while others require two (or more) INPUTS. However, in all cases there is only one OUTPUT from a given PROCESS.

While these are fairly simple (one task) DFD's, the OUTPUT  of one PROCESS can become the INPUT of another PROCESS to form a complex DFD.

• All PROCESSES have at least one INPUT and at least one OUTPUT

• All OUTPUTS have a PROCESS with an INPUT.

• Annotation helps explain the logic and details of the DFD.

Note that some tools (inlcuding Intersect and Union) can have two or more Inputs...):

DFD's can also be used for processes that do not actually use a Tool at all...

This DFD illustrates a work flow which is done manually (rather than an ArcToolbox tool):

And Finally, a slightly more complex example of an actual ArcGIS Model used to select Trees within a

selected Grove polygon and determine the number of trees selected.

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