A Landscape Evaluation Decision Support System
Alachua County, Florida

About UMB

The Universal Model Builder (UMB) is a universal normalized-additive raster model that allows grouping and weighting on multiple levels. It is an attempt to simplify and automate the valuation of areas based on the input from users. UMB is a desktop application that runs on ArcGIS 9.1 and the Spatial Analyst Extension.

UMB was initially developed at the Information Center for the Environment (ICE), at the University of California, Davis, with funding assistance from the California Resources Agency, the California Department of Transportation, and the Resources Legacy Fund Foundation. Click for more info on UMB from the ICE.

During the year 2006, the GIS Division here at the Growth Management worked in partnership with the ICE staff and contributed a significant number of improvements to the UMB model. These efforts resulted into Version 3.0 of UMB, which is offered for download from this site. Following are a few of the enhancements we have made to the ICE's version of UMB.

Functionality
- Vector and raster datasets are used as inputs to the UMB model. The datasets can be pre-loaded in the default data frame, or they can be added using the UMB dialog window.
- UMB XML configuration files are used for loading customized or previously-run Model definitions.
- Command-line execution allows the UMB model to be run programmatically, either as a stand-alone run or as a batch job.
Interface
- The Customized MXD contains the VBA code to support the UMB desktop component, including a UMB menu and toolbar.
- The DLL code-base was designed in VB 6 and contains the core functionality of the UMB model and supports the UMB desktop, command-line, and web components.
System Architecture
- The customized MXD connects to the DLL as a reference in ArcMap. Once the reference is set, the UMB menu and toolbar will appear in ArcMap the next time the MXD is opened.