Clip Features
Function Overview
The Clip Features tool spatially limits input feature data, including points, lines, and polygons. By specifying a clip feature layer, the tool extracts only the portions of the input features that overlap the spatial extent of the clip features.
Use Cases
Regional Data Extraction: Clip nationwide road or land use layers with a provincial administrative boundary to extract data within a local study area.
Thematic Research Preparation: Clip base datasets with a project planning boundary for urban planning or environmental impact assessment.
Spatial Consistency Across Datasets: Standardize the spatial extent of multi-source data to improve the accuracy of overlay analysis.
Map Output And Cartographic Optimization: Extract data for a target area during map production to improve map clarity and efficiency.
Parameters
Basic Settings (Required)
| Parameter | Description | Data type |
|---|---|---|
| Input features | Features to clip. | Point, multipoint, line, multiline, polygon, multipolygon |
| Clip features | Features used to clip the input features. | Point, multipoint, line, multiline, polygon, multipolygon |
| Output path | Storage path for the output result. | Folder path |
| Output file name | File name of the output vector file. | Text, without extension |
Advanced Settings (Optional)
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| File format | Output file format. The default is GPKG VectorData (.gpv). PostGIS VectorData (.pgv), ESRI Shapefile (.shp), Keyhole Markup Language (KML) (.kml), GeoJSON (.geojson), AutoCAD DXF (.dxf), and other formats are also supported. |
| Output specified fields | When enabled, output fields can be configured manually. When disabled, the original field structure is retained. |
| Reproject | When enabled, the spatial reference of the output file can be set. Otherwise, the coordinate system of the input features is used. |
Notes
Data Type Matching Rules
- When the input features are polygons, the clip features must also be polygons.
- When the input features are lines, the clip features can be lines or polygons. When lines are clipped by lines, only coincident line portions are output.
- When the input features are points, the clip features can be points, lines, or polygons. When points are clipped by points, only coincident points are output. When points are clipped by lines, only points coincident with the lines are output.
Output Result
Regardless of the geometry types of the input and clip features, the clip result is always their spatial overlap. By default, attribute fields from the input features are retained. If Output specified fields is enabled, you can customize the output fields.
Projected Coordinate System Recommendation
To avoid spatial offsets, use the same projected coordinate system for the input features and clip features. If they differ, enable the reprojection option in Advanced Settings.
Operating Steps
Step 1: Start The Tool
Open the Geoprocessing Toolbox, go to Analysis Tools > Extraction Analysis, and double-click Clip Features to open the tool pane.
Step 2: Set Parameters
Enter the input features, clip features, output path, and output file name as prompted. All parameters are required.
Step 3: Run And Monitor The Task
Click Run to start processing. You can view progress, run time, and completion status in the task list.
If the run fails, the tool provides an error message. Use the Edit button in the lower-right corner to return to the tool pane and adjust the parameters.