Essential ModelBuilder vocabulary

Model canvas

The model canvas is the white empty space in a model.

Model diagram

The model diagram is the appearance and layout of the tools and variables connected together in a model.

Model elements

There are three main types of model elements: tools, variables, and connectors.

Learn more about model elements

Model process

A model process consists of a tool and all variables connected to it. Connector lines indicate the sequence of processing. Many processes can be chained together to create a larger process.

Multiple model processes

Intermediate data

When a model is run, output data is created for each process in the model. Some of this output data is only created as a middle step to connect to other processes that will create the final output. The data generated from these middle steps, called intermediate data, is often (but not always) of no use once the model has finished running. You can think of intermediate data as temporary scratch data that should be deleted after the model has run. However, when you run a model from the ModelBuilder window, intermediate data is not deleted—it is up to you to delete it.

Learn more about intermediate data

Model validation

Model validation refers to the process of making sure all model variables (data or values) are valid.

Learn more about validating a model

Model parameter

Model parameters are the parameters that appear on the model tool dialog box. Any variable in the model can be made a model parameter.

Model Parameters and Tool Dialog

Learn more about creating model parameters

Running a model within ModelBuilder

Selected processes in a model or the entire model can be run from within ModelBuilder.

Learn how to run a model within ModelBuilder

Running a model tool

A model can be run from its tool dialog box.

Learn how to run a model tool

Workspace environments

There are four workspace environments that can be used in ModelBuilder to simplify model data management:

In addition, there is the in-memory workspace where you can write geodatabase feature classes and tables to system memory instead of disk.

Related Topics

3/3/2014