Buffer Operation

Computes a buffer area around the selected geometries.

The Buffer Operation takes the features from a source vector layer and creates a buffer area of a specified distance around, storing the result on a Result Layer.
If the source layer has features selected, the operation will be performed against them, otherwise, the features from the whole Layer will be used.
The Source Layer is not modified by any means. A new Result Layer is created by default, or the user can specify an existing editable vector layer where to store the results.

Sample Usage

Go to the Spatial Operations View, and select Buffer from the Operation drop down.

The Buffer Operation's specific input options will show up.


Figure 1 Buffer Operation user interface

Once you press the Perform button, the operation progress will be shown up on a progress dialog, as shown in Figure 2. The operation may take a while to complete, depending on the amount and complexity of the input geometries.


Figure 2 Progress Dialog

Once the Operation finishes, if a new Layer were created to hold the result, it will be automatically added to the current Map.

Figure 3 shows the newly created Layer (Buffer-1, in green) added to the map, with one Feature whose Geometry is the aggregated result of applying the specified buffer to the default geometries in the source Features.


Figure 3 Result Layer

Advanced Options

The Buffer Operation contains a couple advanced options you can set to control certain aspects of the process.

For instance, Figure 4 shows the setting controls for the Merge Features and Segments per quadrant advanced options.


Figure 4. Advanced Options


Figure 5. Result of operation with Merge Features unchecked.

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