Defining the clip region by selecting a layer

You can also use a smaller intersecting layer to define the bounds of a subset. The Select a Clip Layer method works the same way as the Select a File method. You can use one layer as input and another layer to define the subset. The definition layer must be smaller than the source layer. The following procedures follow step 7 in Clipping and subsetting images.

  1. In the Define clip region area, choose Select a Clip Layer from the Definition Method list.
  2. Choose a file that you want to use as the clip region from the File list. If the file is not listed, click Browse and choose a file from the File Selector window.
  3. Choose a layer from the Layer list box.
  4. Choose from the following clipping and subsetting options that will be applied for the selected layer.
    • Clip using selected shapes only: applies the clip operation to only the shapes that are selected in the Focus viewer.
    • Bounds: Extents: outputs all imagery within the bounds of the clip layer.
    • Bounds: Shape(s) Boundary: outputs only the imagery within the shape boundaries.
    • Output separate files for each shape: outputs one file for each shape.
    • Suffix field: Only applies when Output separate files for each shape is selected. You specify an existing attribute whose values will be used to generate unique output file names by appending an underscore and the corresponding value from the Suffix field to the output file name you specify.

    The following table describes the availability of the clipping and subsetting options based on the layer type you selected, and whether the layer (vector layer) is selected in the Focus viewer:

    Table 1. Available clipping and subsetting options for a selected layer
    Layer Selected in Focus viewer? Clipping/Subsetting options
        Clip using selected shapes only Bounds: Extents Bounds: Shape(s) Boundary Output separate files for each shape
    Line or point No Unavailable Unavailable, but the setting is selected Unavailable Unavailable
    Line or point Yes Available Unavailable, but the setting is selected Unavailable Unavailable
    Unstructured or unknown No Unavailable Unavailable, but the setting is selected Unavailable Unavailable
    Unstructured or unknown Yes Available Available Available Unavailable
    Whole polygon No Unavailable Available Available Available
    Whole polygon Yes Available Available Available Available
    Bitmap Not applicable Unavailable Available Available Unavailable
  5. Click Clip.
    Note: Up to 500 files can be viewed in Focus after a clip operation. If you have more than this, Focus displays a warning message before clipping.
Parent topic: Clipping and subsetting data
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