Comments on: 7 Geoprocessing Tools Every GIS Analyst Should Know

By: Angel-Mmafiik Ayarick

Angel-Mmafiik Ayarick — Sun, 28 Apr 2024 01:31:22 +0000

I feel gratified.

By: Stephanie Anyanwu

Stephanie Anyanwu — Fri, 13 Oct 2023 15:24:57 +0000

The buffer tool is generally basic and easily applicable. There are other tools that can be used to calculate or see within a specified distance.

To cut the area of an overlapping shape file you could use the erase tool or select features by attributes. That way you only get the features you need.

I hope this helps!

By: Bin Mchunguzi

Bin Mchunguzi — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 17:16:52 +0000

Thanks very much

By: john

john — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 10:24:05 +0000

Thank you

By: Eissa Alshammari

Eissa Alshammari — Tue, 09 Aug 2022 14:11:43 +0000

Thanks for these information.

By: David Verbyla

David Verbyla — Tue, 23 Jan 2018 23:24:16 +0000

I would add a tool that computes distance (near, spatial join, generate near table)
and the summary statistics tool. ( I rarely use union since it only works with polygons and I often have questions about points/lines/polygon layers).

Also the Intersect tool is the go-to tool for adjacency and overlap questions such as, find the location to boat to on a river to access the border between spruce and willow polygons, find the largest repeat burn area over the past 30 years, etc.

By: GISGeography

GISGeography — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 17:03:56 +0000

In reply to Jock Galbraith.

Two polygons I assume? If so, you can use the ‘erase’ tool. You’d use the outside track (larger one) as the input feature. The inside of the track (smaller one) would be erase feature. After running the tool, you’ll only have the track remaining, which is what I think you are after.

If you have polylines, they can always be converted to polygons.

Hope this helps, let me know if I misunderstood

By: Jock Galbraith

Jock Galbraith — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 16:29:48 +0000

Sorry if this is really simple and stupid but could anyone explain how to cut the area of an overlapping shape file.

For example I have a field with a track running through it. The field is one shape file the track is another shape file overlaying the field. How can I cut the track from the field to show the background mapping data. (without manually having to cut around the shape)

Huge thanks to any answers!

By: Stephen

Stephen — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 15:40:17 +0000

Yes, buffer is hardly the answer to everything, but it is the answer to many things. Homogenous distance offsets are a common feature in the planning world: Natural stream buffers, frontage and sideyard setbacks, distances from schools or churches for alcohol permits. As Kimo noted, it would generally find less use in modeling natural phenomenon such as fall out plumes, or flood zones. It’s another tool for the toolbox, and quite a useful one.

By: Yogesh Nandal

Yogesh Nandal — Sat, 30 Apr 2016 13:49:30 +0000

Agree with “kimo” but it is nonetheless useful in city planning where, for example you have defined an area of maximum commute by a certain residential area to come up with the best location for a school…..but yes there is huge randomness in case of natural “stances” which is absurd to deal with any geometrical buffering…