Calculate NDVI from a multiband orthomosaic using a single spectral band orthomosaic generated from ArcGIS Drone2Map in ArcGIS Pro

Summary

The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) is a standardized index used to generate an image displaying greenness by quantifying the reflectance disparities between the red and near-infrared bands in a multiband orthomosaic. In ArcGIS Drone2Map, the generation of multiband orthomosaic is not supported. However, it is possible to combine the single band orthomosaic generated from ArcGIS Drone2Map into a multiband orthomosaic in ArcGIS Pro. This method is useful as the computation of the NDVI necessitates a multiband orthomosaic.

Procedure

1. In ArcGIS Drone2Map, create a project using a project template.
2. Process the image to create a single band orthomosaic. 

Note:
In ArcGIS Drone2Map, the image processing of a project can be customized to produce the desired orthomosaic output. Refer to ArcGIS Drone2Map: Processing options for more information. To avoid processing errors, uncheck the Enhance True Ortho checkbox under the Create True Ortho option when processing the single band orthomosaic.

Note:
Repeat Steps 1 and 2 to create an orthomosaic of each single band.

3. Open the project in ArcGIS Pro.
4. On the ArcGIS Pro ribbon, click Map > Add Data to open the Add Data pane.
5. Navigate to the location of each single band orthomosaic from the local folder and select it. Click OK.
6. Create a single raster dataset from multiple bands using the Composite Bands tool.
1. For Input Rasters, select the raster layer to use as the bands from the drop-down list. In this example, five bands of orthomosaic are selected.
2. For Output Raster, specify a name and location for the output raster.
3. Click Run.

7. Calculate NDVI from the output raster in Step 6. Refer to How to: Create an NDVI map in ArcGIS Pro for instructions.

Note:
Export the calculated NDVI raster to a permanent raster using the Export Raster pane or the Copy Raster tool, if necessary. Refer to ArcGIS Pro: Export or convert raster datasets for more information.

The image below shows the NDVI raster derived from the multiband orthomosaic.