Compute Root Mean Square Error

Compute Root Mean Square (RMS) Error adds a layer to an existing gridded surface, by calculating the RMS error between each source point and a local plane extracted from the surface. This function computes the root mean square error between each source point and a local plane extracted from the surface. This produces information similar to the standard deviation layer, but where standard deviation measures the source point distribution relative to a flat horizontal plane, the RMS error measures thickness relative and orthogonal to an inclined plane. This is useful for evaluating point distribution without the influence of slopes. The resulting data is saved to a new band in the surface. This band is not displayed automatically; the Add Layer command can be used to display the layer and its data. See Layers Window for more information.

Related commands:

• Compute Slope and Aspect

• Compute Band

• Remove Band

Procedure

1. Select a gridded surface in the Layers window.

This will enable the Compute Root Mean Square Error command.

2. Select the Compute Root Mean Square Error command.

The status of the process is reported in the Output window. When complete, a new band is added to the surface but is not displayed.

3. Add the RMS Error layer to the Layers window.

4. Select the RMS Error layer to display the data.