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Posted on February 1, 2023 (Updated on July 10, 2025)

Viewshed analysis of two buildings

Hiking & Activities

How is viewshed calculated?

A viewshed is created from a DEM by using an algorithm that estimates the difference of elevation from one cell (the viewpoint cell) to the next (the target cell). To determine the visibility of a target cell, each cell between the viewpoint cell and target cell is examined for line of sight.

What are the parameters of Viewshed analysis?

A number of parameters can influence the result of a viewshed analysis including the viewpoint, the height of the observer, the viewing azimuth, the viewing radius, vertical viewing angle limits, the Earth’s curvature, and tree height.

What are the two types of input data required for viewshed analysis?

Viewshed example



The inputs to the analysis are the following: A surface elevation raster. A raster recording the canopy height, which is the height of the top of the vegetation above the ground surface at each location.

What is the difference between viewshed and visibility?

A viewshed displays what’s visible from an observer



Instead of using a straight line as an input, viewshed analysis uses a single point. Likewise, we try to understand visibility from an observer’s point of view. But instead, it’s a raster output indicating visibility.
Nov 9, 2022

What is the concept of viewshed analysis?

Viewshed analysis refers to the process of identifying locations that are visible from one or more observer points. Viewshed analysis is also called line-of-sight analysis or intervisibility analysis.

What are viewsheds when are they used and how are they calculated?

Viewshed analysis is the process of identifying which locations are visible from a given point and involves using elevation data from a digital elevation model (DEM) to identify potential obstacles blocking line-of-sight.
Oct 16, 2019

What is the output of the viewshed tool?

The output will be a raster where the DATA cells can see at least one peak cell. The value in each cell will be the number of distinct input observer cells (peak cells) that it can see.
Jul 13, 2021

What is a viewshed in geography?

A viewshed is the geographical area that is visible from a location. It includes all surrounding points that are in line-of-sight with that location and excludes points that are beyond the horizon or obstructed by terrain and other features (e.g., buildings, trees).

What is a line-of-sight analysis?

Line-of-sight (LOS), also called “viewshed analysis,” can be used to determine what can be seen from a particular location in the landscape. Conversely, the same analysis also determines from where within the surroundings that location can be seen.

What does viewshed mean in GIS?

[3D analysis] The locations visible from one or more specified points or lines. Viewshed maps are useful for such applications as finding well-exposed places for communication towers, or hidden places for parking lots.

What is a viewshed in geography?

A viewshed is the geographical area that is visible from a location. It includes all surrounding points that are in line-of-sight with that location and excludes points that are beyond the horizon or obstructed by terrain and other features (e.g., buildings, trees).

What is viewshed Google Earth?

Viewshed highlights everything in your line of sight from a placemark’s location: Higher elevations often display greater visible areas. If your results don’t look correct, your altitude might be too low or your placemark might be inside a building. Try increasing your altitude, then click Show Viewshed again.

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