Intersect Features
Function Overview
The Intersect Features tool calculates the geometric intersection of input features and generates a new dataset that contains the overlapping areas of all input features. It performs a spatial intersection operation and preserves the overlapping parts and their attribute information. It is an important method for spatial relationship analysis and multi-source data integration.
Use Cases
Land Use Analysis
- Overlay planned land use maps with current land use maps to identify changed areas.
- Calculate overlapping areas among different land use types.
Infrastructure Planning
- Analyze intersections between road networks and construction zones to identify affected road sections.
- Analyze overlaps between pipelines and geological risk zones.
Natural Resource Management
- Evaluate intersections between wildlife habitats and development areas.
- Perform overlay analysis between rainfall distribution maps and watershed boundaries.
Emergency Response
- Cross-analyze disaster impact extents and population density maps.
- Detect overlaps between rescue routes and hazardous areas.
Parameters
Basic Settings (Required)
| Parameter | Description | Data type |
|---|---|---|
| Input vector file | Features used for the intersect operation. | Point, line, polygon |
| Input vector file | Features used for the intersect operation. | Point, line, polygon |
| 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
Coordinate System Consistency
- All input layers must use the same coordinate system. A projected coordinate system is recommended.
- If coordinate systems differ, use a projection tool to convert them to a common coordinate system first.
Geometry Validity Checks
- Use a geometry check tool to repair self-intersections, empty geometries, duplicate vertices, and similar issues to avoid intersect failures or abnormal results.
Attribute Field Handling
- Check duplicate field names in advance. Duplicate names from different layers are automatically suffixed.
- Remove unnecessary fields to reduce output data size.
Operating Steps
Step 1: Start The Tool
Open the Geoprocessing Toolbox, go to Analysis Tools > Overlay Analysis, and double-click Intersect Features to open the tool pane.
Step 2: Set Parameters
-
Basic parameter configuration
In Basic Settings, enter the vector files used for the intersection, output path, and output file name. All parameters are required.
-
Advanced parameter configuration
In Advanced Settings, configure optional parameters as needed, including output file format, specified output fields, and reprojection.
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.