Perform a viewshed analysis when elevation data for the area of interest is unavailable

Summary

In some cases, when performing a viewshed analysis on a feature, the elevation data for the area of interest is unavailable. However, it is possible to run the analysis by using the Viewshed tool from the Ready-To-Use Services in ArcMap.

Note:
The tool consumes one (1) credit for every 1,000 input features.

The following instructions describe how to perform a viewshed analysis without elevation data.

Procedure

1. In ArcMap, ensure the observer points are in the correct location by adding the point dataset to the map.

   Note:
   If the point data is in an Excel file, refer to Adding x,y coordinate data as a layer to import and display the points on the map.

2. Sign in to an ArcGIS Online organizational account.
3. Run the Viewshed tool from the Ready-To-Use Services in the Catalog pane.
   1. Expand Ready-To-Use Services and select the second option for Elevation.
   2. Expand Tools > Elevation > Viewshed.
      
      
       
   3. Set the point dataset from Step 1 as the input point feature.
   4. Click OK. A new layer is created in the Table of Contents.
      
      
4. Export the output layer to a feature class.

Note:
The output layer from the Viewshed tool is a temporary polygon layer. To make the layer a permanent layer, the data must be exported.