Clip Analysis is a powerful tool used in GIS (Geographic Information System) to extract specific data from a larger dataset. In ArcMap, the Clip tool allows users to extract data from one layer based on the spatial boundaries of another layer. This can be particularly useful when working with large datasets, as it allows users to focus on the specific information they need. In this article, we will explore how to use the Clip tool in ArcMap.
Step 1: Load the Layers The first step in using the Clip tool is to load the layers into ArcMap. To do this, go to File -> Add Data and select the layers you want to work with. In this example, we will be using a layer of land parcels and a layer of water bodies.
Step 2: Access the Clip Tool Once you have loaded the layers, access the Clip tool by going to the Geoprocessing menu and selecting Clip. This will open the Clip tool dialog box.
Step 3: Select the Input Features In the Clip tool dialog box, the first thing you need to do is select the input features. This is the layer you want to clip. In this example, we will be clipping the land parcel layer.
Step 4: Select the Clip Features The next step is to select the clip features. This is the layer that will be used to define the spatial boundaries for the clip. In this example, we will be using the water body layer as the clip features.
Step 5: Specify the Output Features The final step is to specify the output features. This is the name and location of the new layer that will be created by the clip. You can save the output features as a new shapefile or feature class. In this example, we will save the output features as a new shapefile called “Land_Parcels_Clipped.”
Step 6: Run the Clip Tool Once you have completed all the previous steps, click the OK button to run the Clip tool. This will extract all the land parcel features that intersect with the water bodies and create a new layer with those features.
Step 7: View the Results After running the Clip tool, you can view the results by adding the new clipped layer to ArcMap. In this example, we can see that the Land_Parcels_Clipped layer only contains the land parcel features that intersect with the water bodies.
Clip Analysis is a powerful tool in ArcMap that can help users extract specific data from a larger dataset. By following the steps outlined in this article, users can easily clip one layer based on the spatial boundaries of another layer, allowing them to focus on the specific information they need.
Clip example 2 (stand-alone Python script)
The following Python script demonstrates how to use the Clip function in a stand-alone script.
# Name: Clip_Example2.py # Description: Clip major roads that fall within the study area. # Import system modules import arcpy from arcpy import env # Set workspace env.workspace = "C:/data" # Set local variables in_features = "majorrds.shp" clip_features = "study_quads.shp" out_feature_class = "C:/output/studyarea.shp" xy_tolerance = "" # Execute Clip arcpy.Clip_analysis(in_features, clip_features, out_feature_class, xy_tolerance)
