Creating a buffered segment

The Segment Buffer function creates a polygon feature based on a segment created by two defined coordinates.

Example of input and output for the Segment Buffer function
Steps:
  1. Start ArcMap.
  2. On the menu bar, click Customize > Toolbars > Production Feature Builder.
  3. Click the Launch Feature Builder button Launch Feature Builder on the Production Feature Builder toolbar.

    The Feature Builder window appears in ArcMap.

    The Feature Builder window
    The Feature Builder window

    TipTip:

    The Feature Builder window can be placed anywhere in ArcMap, or in the TOC, with the aid of the arrows showing the possible placement positions.

  4. Choose Segment Buffer in the list on the Functions tab.

    Feature Builder window with the Segment Buffer function selected

  5. Define a coordinate for the start point of the polyline by doing one of the following:
    • Clicking the Pinprick button Pinprick on the Production Feature Builder toolbar, then clicking on the map
    • Typing the coordinates in the cells on the Input tab in the Coordinates area
    TipTip:

    To view the input coordinates on the map, double-click the row headers for each coordinate.

  6. Repeat step 5 to define a coordinate for the endpoint of the segment.
  7. Click the cell next to Left Buffer and type the value for the left buffer.

    This is the width of the buffer to the left of the segment. The default unit is Nautical Miles.

    TipTip:

    You can right-click the parameter name and change the unit of measurement. If you change the unit of measurement after defining a value, the value is converted to the new unit of measurement, and you may need to redefine the value.

  8. Click the cell next to Right Buffer and type the value for the right buffer.

    This is the width of the buffer to the right of the segment. The default unit is Nautical Miles.

    TipTip:

    You can right-click the parameter name and change the unit of measurement. If you change the unit of measurement after defining a value, the value is converted to the new unit of measurement, and you may need to redefine the value.

  9. Click the drop-down arrow next to Buffer End Type and choose the type of corners to add to the ends of the buffer segments.
    • Clipped—The corners of the buffer are squared, so the geometry is rectangular.
    • Elliptic—The corners of the buffer are round, so the geometry is an oval.
  10. Click the Execute button Execute.

A polygon feature is created.

TipTip:

If the polygon does not appear, click the Add Scratch Data Layers button Add scratch data layers at the top of the Feature Builder window.


4/17/2012