> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.ellipsis-drive.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.ellipsis-drive.com/working-with-raster-data/style-raster-data.md).

# Style raster data

#### Overview

Raster styling defines how raster data is visually rendered in the viewer.

It does not modify the underlying dataset, only its visual representation.

A video walkthrough is available below.<br>

{% embed url="<https://www.loom.com/share/2d9d742f3392457f95062e95f67b1db3>" %}

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#### Applying styles

To style a raster layer, open the layer in the viewer and access the styling configuration.

Raster styling is based on raster bands and expressions applied to pixel values.

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#### Styling methods

<details>

<summary><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="1f7e0">🟠</span> Channel-based styling (channelMap)</summary>

Channel-based styling defines how raster bands are mapped to visual color channels.

For example:

* Red channel → Band 1
* Green channel → Band 2
* Blue channel → Band 3

You can also define custom expressions using raster bands to control how values are visualised.

This method is commonly used for true color or false color imagery.

<figure><img src="/files/xjm1RC68IkHuYdx4oOK4" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

</details>

<details>

<summary><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="1f7e0">🟠</span> Range-based styling (rangeMap)</summary>

Range-based styling assigns colors based on the range in which a computed value falls.

The input can be:

* a single raster band
* or a custom expression combining multiple bands

This method is commonly used for continuous data such as elevation, temperature or intensity values.

<figure><img src="/files/gz4waXGpkQwvlaUVJmew" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

</details>

<details>

<summary><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="1f7e0">🟠</span> Value-based styling (valueMap)</summary>

Value-based styling assigns colors to discrete output values derived from a raster expression.

Values are evaluated per pixel and mapped to specific colors.

This is typically used for:

* raster data containing classifications
* categorical outputs
* segmented analysis results

<figure><img src="/files/aQf7ZM2jIk3E72F5MLJz" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

</details>

<details>

<summary><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="1f7e0">🟠</span> Condition-based styling (caseMap)</summary>

Condition-based styling applies colors based on logical conditions.

Conditions can be defined using expressions that evaluate raster values.

This method is useful for rule-based visualisation, where different scenarios are represented with distinct styles.

<figure><img src="/files/7ycw6irk5YCoj2IgfqL5" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

</details>

{% hint style="info" %}
**Key concept**

Raster styling operates on pixel values and expressions, not on vector-like features.

It defines how data is rendered, not how it is stored or processed.
{% endhint %}