Creating the Conceptual Model

Creating the Conceptual Model is necessary when there is the intention of performing advanced vectorial editions in the database.

Note: TerraAmazon does not automatically create the Conceptual Model given that the size of the box of the cells layer created in the process depends on the area in which there is the need to work on.

To create the Conceptual Model, go to the menu ADMINISTRATION → CREATE CONCEPTUAL MODEL.

Select an existing data source in the list or by clicking on the icon to select one.


To check if connection information is correct click on the Test button.


Then click on the Open button.


Many TerraAmazon operations are based on the existence of this layer, such as the entire classification process. Its dimensions depend on the user´s needs.

Name: provide a name for the cell layer.

Projection: click on the icon to access the projection setting interface, shown in the next figure. (See Spatial Reference System)


SRSs recently used - select the SRID from here.

SRSs Available - select the SRS from one of the lists (Geographic, Projected, User Defined)

Filter - optionally, to help finding a SRS, enter a meaningful word (or a SRID) to see a subset of SRSs which contain that word (or that SRID) at the list of SRSs available.

Proj4 description - it is a informative field containing all parameters of the chosen SRID.

Click on the OK

Note: To make it easier to find the SRS type you can use the Filter field.

Back in the Conceptual Model interface, type the box extents for the cells layer by filling the fields LL(x), UR(x), LL(y), UR(y), being LL = “lower left”, UR = “upper right” if Layer Box is checked.

If Country Box is checked choose the country and values above will be automatically filled.

Resolution: provide a resolution, or width, for the cells. This resolution is the same on horizontal e vertical directions since cells are square geometries.

In this resolution field, the measurement unit is defined by the selected projection, as informed in the Unit field of the Projection interface. It can be verified at the right of the Projection button. In this example, the unit is Decimal Degrees.

Note: The values provided for the countries are originally in LatLong/WGS84 Spherical. When the conceptual model must be created in a different projection, use the Projection button as usual. The original values of the countries´ box will be submitted to reprojection after the creation of the layer is triggered. Additionally, if there is a need to update values of the country boxes, users can edit the file country_box.csv found in the folder where TerraAmazon has been installed.

Click on the OK button to apply the informed values and trigger the creation of the Conceptual Model.

If necessary, it is possible to create a new cell layer by accessing the menu LAYER → CREATE CELL LAYER. Even though it is possible to create as many cell layers as needed, only one of them can be active on the database. That will be the layer used by the classification process and must have the same projection as the other layers involved in the classification rules. If necessary, change the active cell layer by right clicking on the desired cell layer and selecting the option Set As Cell Layer. This update takes effect immediately.