Advanced Cellular Automata

The Advanced Cellular Automata tool supports the configuration of customized binary or multi-class model behaviors as defined in a Transition Rule file.

Table of Contents

1. Required Inputs
2. Usage Instructions
   1. Step 1. Define the transition rules
   2. Step 2. Provide input and output parameters
   3. Step 3. Verify model parameters
   4. Step 4. Run the Advanced Cellular Automata tool
   5. Step 5. View results and model parameter report

Required Inputs

• A raster data layer containing positive integer values
• A name for the geodatabase which the simulation outcomes will be outputted to
• A prefix for naming each iteration of model outputs
• The number of iterations (or timesteps) that the model should be executed for
• A Transition Rule (.tr) file created using the Specify Transition Rules tool

All raster data layers provided as input to the Advanced Cellular Automata tool must adhere to the Data Preparation guidelines.

Paths to any auxiliary raster data layers such as suitability or constraint maps will be read from the Transition Rule file. If you have restored your project from a different PC or file location, it is valuable to load the rule table in the Specify Transition Rules tool window and verify the file paths.

Usage Instructions

Step 1. Define the transition rules

Using the Specify Transition Rules tool, create a Transition Rules (*.tr) File.

Step 2. Provide input and output parameters

Provide a valid initial raster data layer, output geodatabase name to be created in the “CAOutputs” folder that will be created in the Project’s default directory, the prefix for naming the simulation map outputs, the number of iterations (or timesteps) to execute the model for, and a valid path to the Transition Rules (*.tr) file.

If you do not see the Transition Rules (*.tr) file in the file browse dialog, click the “Refresh” button to ensure any newly created files are shown.

Step 3. Verify model parameters

Click Verify Model Parameters to ensure file paths and inputs are valid for model execution.

If the model verification fails, the verification message dialog will display a list of the issues that need to be resolved before the model can be run.

Step 4. Run the Advanced Cellular Automata tool

If parameters and file paths are valid, click Run Advanced CA Model to run the simulation with the provided inputs. Outputs will be automatically added to the map contents after the model execution is complete.

Step 5. View results and model parameter report

The simulation results will automatically be added to the map contents. The files can be found in the “CAOutputs” folder existing or newly created under the Project’s default directory. To find the Model Parameter Report, find the new “CAOutputs” folder created in your project directory and double click the HTML file to open it in your default web browser.

If you do not see the new “CAOutputs” folder or Model Parameter Report file, “Refresh” the ArcGIS Pro Catalog pane contents.