Create a multiband raster from individual bands of satellite imagery in ArcGIS Pro

Summary

A multiband raster is an image or data file with multiple bands representing different wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum, such as red, green, blue, and near infrared. These bands capture data for various applications, such as vegetation analysis, land use mapping, and environmental studies. In ArcGIS Pro, a multiband raster can be created from individual bands of satellite imagery using the Composite Bands geoprocessing tool, the Composite Bands raster function, or the Composite Bands function in the Process gallery. This method helps in the organization of many related single-band rasters and improves visualization by displaying raster datasets as a color composite to detect changes in the area. This article provides the workflow to create a multiband raster from individual bands of Landsat 7 ETM+ imagery in ArcGIS Pro.

Procedure

Use the Composite Bands geoprocessing tool

1. Open the project in ArcGIS Pro.
2. On the Analysis tab, in the Geoprocessing group, click Tools.
3. In the Geoprocessing pane, search for and click Composite Bands (Data Management Tools).
4. In the Composite Bands pane, specify the parameters.
1. For Input Rasters, select the individual bands raster layer by their sequential order from the drop-down list. In this example, bands 1 through 8 of the satellite imagery are selected.
2. For Output Raster, specify a name and location for the output raster.
3. Click Run.

Use the Composite Bands raster function

1. Open the project in ArcGIS Pro.
2. On the Analysis tab, in the Raster group, click Raster Functions.
3. In the Raster Functions pane, on the System tab, search for and click Composite Bands in the Find Raster Functions search box.
4. In the Composite Bands Properties pane, specify the parameters.
1. For Rasters, select the raster layer by their sequential order from the drop-down list. In this example, bands 1 through 8 of the satellite imagery are selected.
2. For Cellsize Type, select the preferred cell size option to use in the output raster layer. Refer to ArcGIS Pro: Parameters for more information. In this example, Max Of is selected.
3. Click Create new layer.

Use the Composite Bands function in the Process gallery

1. Open the project in ArcGIS Pro.
2. In the Contents pane, select multiple bands of the raster layer. In this example, bands 1 through 8 of the satellite imagery are selected.

Note:
Press the Ctrl key and click the raster layers to select multiple items.

3. On the Imagery tab, in the Tools group, click the Process drop-down and select Composite.

The image below shows the multiband raster created from individual bands of Landsat 7 ETM+ imagery in ArcGIS Pro.