Exercise 2: Advance Model Builder

Introduction
This lab takes a look at how to use the Iterate Feature Classes tool as well as the Inline Variable Substitution method. The iterate feature class tool also a model to run its entire process on every single feature class that is active in a feature data set. The inline variable substitution method is a way to keep the name of all of the individual feature classes separate from each other. By taking a look at the Vail, Beaver and Breckenridge Ski Resorts the lab will show how these tools can be used.

Method
The feature dataset for the the ski resorts was added first to the iterate feature class tool. This tool is used so that the model will be able to run all three features in the dataset through the entire model. The next tool used was buffer which created a 10 meter buffer around all of the runs. However in order to keep the names separate from each other the inline variable method must be used. This is accomplished by using % surrounding the word name. This is done because the iterate feature classes has that light blue oval with the word name in it. This lets the model know that %name% to keep the name of each feature class separate of one another. Zonal statistics, joins and selects were used as well to find the Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced and Expert slopes for each resort. In the select portion of this lab a wildcard selection was used. In this case the selection took every option that was LIKE %Beginner% and made it its own feature class. The same was done again for Advanced, Intermediate and Expert. Figure 1.1 shows the model that was used.

(Figure 1.1)

Conclusions

Figure 1.2 shows the map that was created by the model. The map only has the Vail Ski Resort on it. 

(Figure 1.2)

Sources

All sources were supplied by Dr. Cristina Hupy