Buffer

Description of the tool

This tool allows you to select features that are within a given distance of other features, either in the same layer or in a different layer.

How to use the tool

Prerequisite:

None

Steps:

1. Set the Active Layer and select one or many features (using any of the Selection Tools or by using the Search Panel). The features selected are those that will be buffered. 
    
   
    
2. Set the Active Layer to the layer from which you would like to select features using the buffer. If these features are in the current Active Layer then you can skip this step.
   
   
   
   
3. Click on the Buffer tool. 
   
    
4. This will display the Buffer the Selected Features menu. 
    
5. Select the layer that has the selected features you wish to buffer. 
   
   
   
   Only layers that have features selected will be listed in the Layer list. Type in the buffer distance (in metres).
   
   
    
6. There are four options for Buffer generation:
   • New - This will create a new selection, and will replace any previous selections you had for the Active Layer. 
   • Add - This will add the selected features to the existing selection set for the Active Layer.
   • Remove - The features that result from the Buffer operation will be removed from the selection set for the Active Layer. 
   • Refine - All but the selected features will be removed from the selection set for the Active Layer.
     
     
7. When you press the New or Add button, a red polygon will be drawn around the selected feature on the map at the buffer distance, and the features from the Active Layer within the buffer distance from the selected features in the Layer specified will be selected.