Available with Spatial Analyst license.
Summary
Subtracts the value of the second input raster from the value of the first input raster on a cell-by-cell basis.
Illustration
Discussion
When using an operator with a raster input the result will be a raster. However, if all inputs are numbers, then the result is a number.
When multiple operators are used in an expression, they are not necessarily executed in left-to-right order. The operator with the highest precedence value will be executed first. For more information on operator precedence, see operator precedence table. You can use parentheses to control the execution order.
The order of input is relevant for this operator.
If both input values are integers, the output values will be integers; otherwise, the output will be floating-point values.
Another way to perform the subtraction operator is a -= b which is an alternative way to write a = a - b.
Syntax
in_raster_or_constant1 - in_raster_or_constant2
| Operand | Explanation | Data Type |
in_raster_or_constant1 | The input from which to subtract the values in the second input. If the first input is a raster and the second is a scalar, an output raster is created with each input raster value being subtracted by the scalar value. | Raster Layer | Constant |
in_raster_or_constant2 | The input values to subtract from the values in the first input. If the first input is a scalar and the second is a raster, an output raster is created with each input raster value being subtracted from the scalar value. | Raster Layer | Constant |
Return Value
| Name | Explanation | Data Type |
| out_raster | The output raster object. The cell values are the result of subtracting the second input from the first. | Raster |
Code sample
This sample subtracts the values of the second input raster from the first.
import arcpy
from arcpy import env
from arcpy.sa import *
env.workspace = "C:/sapyexamples/data"
outMinus = Raster("degs") - Raster("negs")
outMinus.save("C:/sapyexamples/output/outminus")This sample subtracts the values of the second input raster from the first.
# Name: Op_Minus_Ex_02.py
# Description: Subtracts the value of the second input raster from the
# value of the first input raster on a cell-by-cell basis
# Requirements: Spatial Analyst Extension
# Import system modules
import arcpy
from arcpy import env
from arcpy.sa import *
# Set environment settings
env.workspace = "C:/sapyexamples/data"
# Set local variables
inRaster1 = Raster("degs")
inRaster2 = Raster("negs")
# Check out the ArcGIS Spatial Analyst extension license
arcpy.CheckOutExtension("Spatial")
# Execute Minus
outMinus = inRaster1 - inRaster2
# Save the output
outMinus.save("C:/sapyexamples/output/outminus.tif")