Buffering Features in ArcGIS
Buffering is a useful technique in GIS. It is referred to as a proximity tool in ArcToolbox. It can be applied to points, polylines, and polygons. Some valuable uses include: Right-of-ways, Tree diameters, Sex Offender Exclusion Zones, Study Areas, Impervious Surfaces from a Centerline, Evacuation Zone of Weather Events, etc.
To perform a single distance buffer:
1. Open the Buffer Tool – ArcToolbox >Proximity >Buffer
2. Fill Inputs
- Input Features (Points, Polylines, Polygons)
- Output Feature Class
- Linear Unit (Distance of Buffer) This can also come from a attribute field value.
The remaining entries are optional.
The new output layer from the buffer will be added to the map (circles around red dots).
To perform a multiple distance buffer:
1. Open the Multiple Ring Buffer Tool – ArcToolbox >Proximity >Multiple Ring Buffer
2. Fill Inputs
- Input Features (Points, Polylines, Polygons)
- Output Feature Class
- Enter each buffer distance.
The remaining entries are optional.
The new output layer from the buffer will be added to the map. Notice that I have used the dissolve option. This causes the buffer rings to dissolve based up distance.
Will on Wed, 29th Apr 2009 11:23 am
Nice tutorial for those beginning with GIS Timothy. Things do get a little more complicated when using Arcmap’s buffering function on complex lines though.
Nice blog site!
Tom Kimmerer on Wed, 26th Aug 2009 3:13 pm
Thanks for this clear, concise tutorial. ESRI’s help functions are so arcane (pun) that I could not figure out a simple point-buffer from the help screens. Thanks for bringing clarity to ArcGIS.
Rick on Thu, 12th Nov 2009 5:54 pm
In the multibuffer, is there no way to enter multiple distances at once (e.g 10 rings at 1 meter) rather than entering each buffer individually? It seems a rather tedious way to generate a lot of rings.
Timothy on Mon, 30th Nov 2009 11:43 pm
Unfortunately, there is not a way to do this. If you do this task a lot then I would suggest writing a simple script.
Carolynne Geary on Tue, 6th Sep 2011 5:07 am
You just saved me about a million hours of pain. Thank you.